Tag: Spiritual

Apathy and Indifference…

Has apathy and indifference robbed us of our faith?

Today’s news is old by tomorrow and forgotten the day after. We are bombarded with change, and these changes occur so quickly there is no accurate measurement of time to gauge it. 

We are so easily and quickly bored with the events that come and go that it doesn’t matter any more, nor do we care. 

Spiritually, we are not keeping up with these changes. Therefore, have apathy and indifference robbed us of our fire?

Leaders must guard against both. 

When we care about the people and events around us, we work to protect them from spiritual tragedy. Let us rise up!

Nutritional Leaders…

Health, healthy food, and exercise seem quite popular these days. It appears that physical exercise is directly related to the nutritional value of the food we eat. Go figure.

Consider a connection to leadership.

The healthier the food, the healthier the body. Isn’t this true of leadership? The healthier the leadership, the healthier the followers.

It is easier to talk about, than do. Wow! How true. Every leader knows that talking about leading is easier than leading.

Good nutrition extends the quality of life. Leaders who feed followers a nutritious spiritual diet extend the quality of both leader and follower.

The benefits of a nutritional leader help both sides.

Guardians of the Faith…

Guarding the faith of Christians is not an easy task? The battle is fierce. The danger is great. The opportunities for success may be few. 

However, with God on our side we are assured victory.

Satan works to fill our schedules to overflowing. We get busy with so much stuff we have no time left for eternal matters.

While it is true for each of us individually, we can also get so busy with programs and activities within the church we lose sight of our purpose.

We need balance. When we allow these things to push out the spiritual, Satan can steal our faith. 

We need guardians.

A Centered Leader…

What is our center? Who are we at the core?

A spiritually motivated center demonstrates qualities of godliness toward others, rather than simply developing self.

Determining our center is not as easy as it may sound. Learning to be honest about what we seek in life will help us on this journey. Consider these questions.

1) Do we feel inconvenienced by others?
2) Are we motivated by self-preservation? 
3) Are times in prayer and study difficult to work into our schedule? 
4) Where do we find the most pleasure?
5) Are our words and actions self-centered or others-directed?

Honest answers will help us understand our center.

Solving Problems…

No one likes problems. We tend to shy away from a place where we must deal with them.

Colin Powell says, “Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”

The thought of followers reaching a point where they do not bring their problems because they lose confidence or feel we do not care is frightening. Leaders should consider why problems come their way.

Learning how to resolve conflict and solve problems brings credibility to leadership.

Directionally Challenged Leaders…

The problem? “I have no idea where I am going.”

A directionally challenged leader will always struggle. If we do not know where we are going, how can we lead anyone there? 

When spiritual leaders are directionally challenged, we have an even greater problem. 

What can we do?

Set smart goals. Goals need to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound.

Look to the finish line. Distractions abound and we can easily get off course. Focus on a goal.

Trust in the Word. Amidst the numerous voices vying to be heard, one is constant. Listen to it!

Be open to learn. Never stop learning and being open to learn.

Knowing where we are going eliminates most challenges.

The Pressure of Leading…

What creates pressure? Confrontation? Health problems? Finances? Family issues? Spiritual conflict?

Why do we feel pressure? Fear? Guilt? Regret? Conviction?

Leaders will always face pressure. Spiritual leadership further increases this pressure because of the eternal consequences weighed in the balance of each decision.

However, when the fear of pressure prevents us from dealing with issues, we are only delaying greater pressure with graver consequences.

As the song encourages, “Rise up O men of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings.”

Accept that pressure exists, but address it with biblical focus.

Leading in the Present…

The idea is about being present in the moment. It is challenging to provide good, spiritual leadership if we are not there when needed. 

But, we need to see something deeper in this idea of being present. 

Beyond the physical, the thought is one of being engaged intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Leaders must be present, focused on the person and/or situation. To be physically present, but unengaged leaves the impression we do not care, we are distracted, or our priorities are not in the best interest of those we lead.

Be present, in that moment and give undivided attention to the other person.

A Cause To Lead…

Passion drives our efforts in relationship to specific causes. The causes range from self-preservation to self-gratification.

At times we labor in a cause that provides for the physical wellbeing of others. We even appreciate the value of a cause that preserves the wellbeing of the planet.

As leaders it is vital that we develop a vision for the spiritual cause of Christ.

We labor diligently to provide for the physical future of our families. We should also consider their spiritual and eternal future with the same intensity.

Of all the causes worth leading, let us lead others to an eternal future.

Details Matter…

Details make a difference. 

Spiritual leadership involves a number of significant areas within the church and our world. If not careful, we can easily lose sight of the details only to focus on what we see as a larger, big picture, idea of scripture and the work.

At times it may be a word, phrase, or suggestion, but those details bring a wealth of blessing to our leadership. We will also find it provides a great blessing to those who follow.

While we pour ourselves into our study of scripture, let us take time to observe and pay attention to the details God intends for us to learn.