Tag: Sunset

The Right Time for Leading…

When it comes to addressing a delicate situation, timing is everything.

When faced with life changing decisions, timing is everything.

When waiting for answers to test results, timing is everything.

When confronting a family member, coworker, or friend, timing is everything.

God said, “There is an appointed time for everything, and there is a time for every event under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:2-8).

If we can step back and think for a moment and ask ourselves, “Is this the right time to continue in this direction?” then maybe we can handle whatever life throws our way at the right time.

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 Leader’s Sharp Edges…

There are many significant thoughts relating to leadership. One of significance comes from Donald Rumsfeld, “Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.”

We often go to great lengths to avoid what we consider “sharp edges.” We do not search for those challenges, or recommend them to others. 

While leaders do not like dealing with these edges, they know their value to leadership development. 

Sharp edges exist and we will face them at different times and ways. While we do not look for them, we do not avoid them, but learn from them and allow God to work through them to shape us as His leaders.

The Future of Leadership…

What does the future of leadership look like for the Lord’s church?

Is there an understanding of why this is important for the future?

Are plans being made for the next generation of leaders and how they will lead?

Will the legacy left behind be one of strong leadership?

Who will take the role of preparing these leaders for the time when they are needed?

When will the plans be enacted?

These are only a few questions that deserve consideration, but the answers are vital to knowing the future of God’s kingdom. Are we ready?

Uniformity in Leadership…

Uniformity is based on developing consistency, invariability, stability, and regularity. 

Leaders must demonstrate the consistency of a life lived according what is believed and proclaimed.

The invariability of leading without fail or exception is critical to the success of strong leadership.

Followers need stability. There is something secure about having a rock solid leadership.

The quality of regularity is demonstrated by a leadership that is fixed, unchanging, and unvarying. 

When others can count on their leader, they follow…anywhere, and uniformity is key to leading as God would have us lead today.

A Destructive Tongue…

Guarding a Christian’s faith is difficult for any age and culture. One of the challenges we face is the use of the tongue. 

James says the tongue is an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Remember, he is writing to Christians.

When spiritual leaders participate in gossip, ridicule, or speaking against brothers and sisters, then we can destroy the faith of others.

We must rise up, guard, protect, and overcome his attacks and keep Christians from destroying each other. Whether through Facebook, texting, face to face, talking to others, or some other means, the use of the tongue in such destructive ways should not only be discouraged, but stopped.

Passing The Leadership Test…

One of my favorite quotes on leadership comes from Walter Lippmann, “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men, the conviction and the will to carry on.”

The great task before us is to leave others with the conviction that consumes us.

Then, we must learn how to instill in others the desire to continue carrying out that conviction with the will that drives our purpose.

This test will not be passed easily, but when we do, the result ensures the success of our efforts as spiritual leaders for the cause of Christ.

Seven Most Important Words…

Terry Starbucker claims the seven most important words are, “I don’t know and I’ll find out.”

As leaders, we do not like not knowing the answer. Leaders are supposed to know all the answers. Right?

We tend to convince ourselves we can bluff our way through any discussion. Wrong!

The transparency of acknowledging when we do not know something and the willingness to find the answer is critical to great leadership. 

Credibility and trust are established when we are are honest with others. Others know we do not have all the information and they know when we are bluffing.

Learn these seven words and live by them.

An In Sync Leadership…

Why is it so important to write about leaders who are “in sync”?

The idea indicates something works well together. There is harmony or agreement. We do not have to look far to understand why leaders need this quality.

How can we determine when we are in sync?

1) When leaders and followers work to reach a common goal, they are in sync.

2) When each understands the objectives and harmony is demonstrated, they are in sync.

3) When love for one another exists, they are in sync.

Action, coupled with the right attitude and motives, will always provide the basis for a leadership that is in sync.

Essentials of Leadership…

What is essential is necessary, which moves leadership to a new level.

However, what is essential and what is not?

Character: General Schwarzkopf said, “Leadership is the potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”

Passion: Passion involves sacrifice, or what we are willing to give up to achieve the goal.

Vision: Vision is about seeing the unseen, or insight. We might call that faith.

Goals: David Swartz said, “Goals are as essential to success as air is to life.” Goals help us know where we are going. 

These are four essentials to our leadership.