Tag: Spiritual

Purpose

God needs spiritual leaders, and the need is critical. Several years ago, I heard this thought, “God is not about time. He is about purpose.”

Think about it. God is not bound by time as you and I. He created time within the span or space of eternity. However, God is bound by purpose, His purpose, and the purpose He set forth from eternity involves leadership.

Why do we need leaders? Because God demands and commands it. To fall short of the leadership development continuum within His church is to fall short of God’s purpose.

How will we prepare the next generation to lead and fulfill His purpose?

Anticipation

Anyone with children knows the question, “Are we there yet?”

When we consider the basis for the question it might change the perspective we have toward spiritual leadership.

The idea screams of anticipation. The excitement of reaching the destination coupled with the struggles of waiting through the journey.

Spiritual leaders, above all, should know the excitement of reaching the destination.

What is it in our life that we anticipate? What is it we are so excited about we cannot help but ask, “Are we there yet?”

The thrill of spiritual leadership is found in knowing the destination that awaits us.

Being Spent

Spiritual leaders need to consider the words of Paul, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way for the benefit of others. Specifically, he desired their salvation.

In a self-serving and self-driven world, it is challenging to find those who have a greater desire to give than receive. However, as spiritual leaders, our focus must be on giving ourselves to others so that they might be saved.

I pray our spiritual leadership is of such nature that we look for ways to give of ourselves to help direct people to heaven.

Opportunity

An opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility, either to be gained or lost. We cannot take advantage of opportunities if we are unable to see the possibilities.

In part, leadership is about seeing the possibilities and taking advantage of the opportunities the moment they arise.

Few people would turn down the opportunity to double an investment in a short period of time. When the stakes are guaranteed we know the need to act quickly.

The same is true spiritually. Consider: 1) Do we really see the possibilities of reaching out to souls around us? 2) Do we take advantage of the opportunities God presents?

The Destination

Where are we going? Do we know? What will we need to get there? How will we know when we arrive?

Spiritually, we know the destination. We anticipate the arrival, but do we know how to get there?

If we are not careful, it is easy to get caught up in the physical areas of life and think less about the spiritual. We then expect God to just “take care of it.”

We would think someone foolish not to follow a map to a destination they have never been before. If so, then how much more foolish when the eternal destination is far more consequential?

Light

Light is defined as “a source of illumination.” Light, however, is so much more when we consider what it actually does and what it symbolizes for spiritual leaders.

Jesus claimed to be the “light of the world.” He also said His disciples were the “light of the world, a city set on a hill,” and followed this by saying, “Let your light shine.”

Leaders need to illuminate a vision that is built on faith and trust in God.

Our light should shine forth the example of Jesus as revealed throughout the Gospels. When this happens, our good works are seen in such a way that others will glorify God.

ALD

The formation of an approach to adult leadership development (ALD) is essential for the future.

Each congregation must establish a plan for training, equipping, and developing leaders to prepare for the spiritual warfare currently facing the church.

As God’s people, we need to recognize the challenges before us, and the current leadership of today must rise up to prepare leaders for tomorrow.

We should all be aware of the consequences of failing to plan for ALD. What we need is a vision for leadership development in the Lord’s kingdom that will be experienced in the next generation. This will impact our children!

Reliance

When considering the idea of dependent leadership, a number of words are associated, the primary of which is reliance. Spiritual leaders understand the need to rely upon God. They are dependent upon His guidance, direction, strength, and provisions to lead others.

Spiritual leaders are also aware of the fact that followers are also dependent upon them to provide the same.

Guidance, direction, strength, and provisions are all directly related to the dependence that is associated with our relationship with God and those who fill the role of leading God’s people.

This role supplies all the basic components to our growth in relationship with God and others.

Mentoring

Mentoring usually involves an experienced and trusted advisor who trains and counsels someone else. The mentoring relationship may extend any where from a few days to a few years depending on the nature and purpose of the relationship.

As a spiritual influence in the lives of others, we all want to pursue ways we can mentor someone in developing maturity in their faith.

Our approach should be based on the methods of Jesus.

Take a moment to pray about someone who can be a mentor and pray for someone you can mentor.

The Past

We are all shaped by the events of our past. It may be teaching, experience, or influence. They are either positive or negative as we consider how the past shapes us.

Paul was an apostle molded by his family heritage, academic credentials, knowledge of Old Testament scripture, and zealous attack against the church.

However, he did not allow the past to dictate the direction of his future. Paul’s focus quickly became spiritually and heavenly directed.

We cannot relive or change the past. As leaders, we must learn from the past in order to prevent repeating areas that hinder our influence and focus.