Tag: Study

Practical Leadership

The word practical is based in and comes from the word practice. Practice not only indicates an activity that is to be accomplished, it also involves a discipline of continuing to work on the activity to improve the quality of the product or result.

Consider how this idea changes the involvement of those who follow when there is a practical approach to the programs implemented to reach goals.

Leaders are needed who think, act, and lead practically.

Discipline must follow.

Followers are needed who know how to practically apply this leadership.

Several spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, etc.) promote a practical approach for developing godly leaders.

The Center of Leadership

What is our center?

When our center as a leader is spiritually motivated, life becomes about demonstrating toward others the qualities of godliness.

As we seek to determine our center here are a few questions to consider.

1) Do we feel inconvenienced by others?

2) Are we motivated by self preservation more than an eternal destination?

3) Are times in prayer, study, and worship more difficult to work into our schedule?

4) Where do we find the most pleasure?

5) Are our words and actions driven by a core that is self-centered or others-directed?

Honestly answering a few questions will help us find our center.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is unique, meaning to “send away.” When God forgives, He sends our sin away. As David wrote, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12).

While the arsenal needed to get through this life includes listening to God (study) and speaking with God (prayer), the promise of His strength keeps us focused. This is how we learn contentment, as Paul identified, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

When leaders learn to practice the difficult task of forgiveness, their ability to influence others increases.

Spiritual Growth

How can we measure spiritual growth? The most common answer is an increase in Bible knowledge. This is why we are pushed to spend more time studying our Bibles.

Without a doubt, we need to grow in our knowledge of God’s word. However, knowledge of God’s word alone does not equate to spiritual growth, and we all know it’s true.

Measuring or determining spiritual growth / health, occurs on the battle field of application.

Leaders must find ways that bridge the gap from the first century writing of God’s word into the twenty-first century life. The task is not easy.

A Matter of Learning

We learn by observation, teaching, personal study, and experience.

We learn from teachers with academic credentials and others who simply have experience.

Learning is not the issue. We learn something everyday. We cannot help it and we cannot resist it. Everything we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, smell with our nose, and feel with our hands creates a learning situation.

However, the importance of what we learn really makes the difference.

Learning matters that are spiritual in nature provides a foundation for lasting leadership. When considering the importance of learning, remember it is what we learn that carries the greatest importance.

Practical Leadership…

When something is practical, action is required. If something is practical, it is suitable for a particular purpose. Practice, which comes from practical, indicates a discipline to improve the quality of the activity.

Application within leadership is an area that deserves attention.

Consider how leadership changes the involvement of those who follow when there is a practical approach to programs.

Leaders are needed who think, act, and lead practically.

Followers are needed who know how to make practical application.

Several spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, etc.) point to the character of leadership and promote a practical approach for developing others to leader.

An Objective Leader…

Objectivity carries the thought of being uninfluenced by personal feelings or opinions when considering and representing facts. The ability to lead objectively is rare, if not impossible.

Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24).

From this thought we learn several lessons.

Examine the facts carefully. Make certain all the facts have been gathered.
Study more deeply and diligently. Emotions tend to rationalize truth. Dig!
Ask penetrating questions. Good questions develop depth to the information.

One word that should characterize the quality of all leaders is objectivity.