Tag: Spiritual

Selfless Leaders

Sports fans around the world often celebrate the thrill of victory but also endure the agony of defeat. Sporting events bring out the best and worst of athletes.

When seen, we cheer the selfless character of those who understand true sportsmanship.

Perhaps the most thrilling part is demonstrated in the leadership roles among team events. The impressive way leaders step up and motivate their teams to give more than they imagined challenges all of us to take note.

Spiritual leaders must step up and motivate others to run a race far more significant than one to win a gold medal that eventually fades away (1 Co. 9:19-27).

Path of Leadership

The path of leadership development will not be an easy task for anyone, anywhere. The benefits, however, are far more valuable than the consequences of denying or ignoring the present circumstances.

Consider the benefits of the path before us:

Stronger leadership: The unified strength of numerous leaders multiplies the results of what can be accomplished.

Spiritual guidance: The potential of developing leaders provides a spiritual foundation that increases biblical guidance.  

Succession plan: Developing stronger, spiritual leaders only for the present potentially leaves a generation not knowing God.

The path of leadership development must go beyond this generation. When this happens, we walk the right path.

Risky Leadership

A risk involves the possibility of danger or harm, a person or thing regarded as likely to turn out good or bad within a particular context.

There can be low risk and high risk, but risk is going to be involved in leadership.

The key is learning how not to fear risk, but manage it instead.

Two questions came to mind in application for spiritual leaders:

1) What are the risks if we decide not to lead others to Christ?
2) What are the risks of waiting, or procrastinating, to lead them?

When we procrastinate or are unwilling to take the risk, we take the greatest risk of all.

Self-Serving Leaders

Leaders must be cautious about what they say, how they write, and the influence they have when leading others.

When one’s speech (spoken or written) is filled with personal pronouns, e.g. “me,” “myself,” and “I,” they need to step back and evaluate what, or perhaps more appropriately, who they are promoting.

True spiritual leadership must be focused on the good of others, even at the expense of self.

How can we demonstrate love if our words and actions betray that love for the purpose of serving self?

Leadership is filled with challenges, not the least of which is self.

The Catalyst

When a leader serves as a catalyst amazing things happen.

One main characteristic of a catalyst is that of helping others.

In their book, The Starfish and the Spider, Brafman and Beckstrom researched several areas concerning leadership and the qualities of a catalyst.

Consistent with each was their desire to help others.

Spiritual catalysts are able to effect powerful influence because they desire to help others.

They help others see and reach their potential, while connecting them with people who can assist them on the journey.

The need for catalysts is significant in the development of the Lord’s kingdom.

A Spiritual Leader

How should we define spiritual leadership? Realizing there are numerous possibilities, perhaps the best approach is to consider a biblical response.

Here are 10 scriptural ways to help define spiritual leaders. Spiritual leaders…

1) Move people to be more like God.
2) Rely on the blood of Christ.
3) Work to accomplish the will of God.
4) Encourage the fainthearted.
5) Admonish the unruly.
6) Strengthen the weak.
7) Seek first the kingdom of God.
8) Pray without ceasing.
9) Search the scriptures daily.
10) Trust fully in the working of God.

These are 10 suggestions and require a lifetime to develop in leadership.

Lead With A Map

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

When traveling, we need a map––at least a plan––to reach our destination in a proper amount of time.

Physically, we make application of this daily. The spiritual approach is no different. We know the destination and we desire to get there. We are anticipating the arrival, but do we know what we need to get there?

Since our destination is heaven, the map––plan––God has provided is laid out in the pages of His word.

How Will We Lead?

How will we lead…

Our children? The choices they make, places they frequent, friends they associate with, and work ethic they possess.

Our church? The confidence of the church, their hope for a better tomorrow, and their assurance of an eternal destiny.

Our neighbors? Who they seek during trials, where they turn with spiritual questions, and how they see Jesus.

Our friends? The development of a spiritual focus, thoughts of relationships, and how to deal with giving into temptation.

Our co-workers? Their knowledge of biblical principles, their understanding of character, and approach to life.

Considering their future is worth giving thought to how we will lead.

Virtuous Leaders

N.T. Wright’s book, subtitled Why Christian Character Matters, focuses on the need for virtue becoming “second nature.” Virtue must be a natural or automatic response for leaders.

The book develops three major thoughts. The first examines the virtuous purpose of Christian character.

The second discusses the need for character transformation. Character transformation must occur within, creating a change of actions demonstrated in our conduct.

The third considers the virtues of faith, hope, and love. These virtues are developed within the context of community.

We must implement these virtues, but we need each other to do so. We cannot develop as spiritual leaders in isolation.

Right the First Time

Too many times we put forth just enough effort to get by, not to do it right, and certainly not to excel.

John Wooden once asked, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”

As spiritual leaders, the results of only doing enough to get by are tragic. Souls are at stake! If we fail to do it right, there may never be enough time to do it over. We may only have one chance to make a good first impression.

Recognize the need, but also the urgency, to do it right the first time.