Tag: Sunset

A Motive To Lead…

People lead for different reasons. At times, the situation (crisis) demands someone lead.

However, selfish ambition motivates far too many. The desire to personally benefit from a position of power is appealing in both the secular and spiritual arena. 

When people lead with the right motives, the result is powerful.

Developing this motive consists of three components.

1) Personal and familial relationship with Christ. 
2) Understanding scripture, both the milk and meat of God’s word.
3) Compassion for people’s eternal condition, saved and lost.

These help us check and develop the motive godly leaders should possess.

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.

The Grand Scheme…

Consider the “grand scheme” of things and our role as a leader in that scheme.

God’s mission is providentially guided throughout the history of Israel down to the coming, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. 

The power of this mission/scheme is God’s continued involvement in our lives today.

If not careful we get distracted and even drawn away by the trivial areas of life, resulting in distorted priorities.

We need to pray that God will open doors. We also need to pray for the wisdom to see those opportunities and for the courage to pursue what God places before us in His grand scheme.

Suffering Leadership…

A leader with passion and little talent will always out perform a leader with talent and little passion. E.M. Forster said, “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.

However, our modern definition of passion leaves much to be desired, because we often limit our thinking to enthusiasm or excitement.

The word is originally derived from a Latin word that means “to suffer.”

Leaders need enthusiasm. They need to be driven to achieve their goals, but when leaders are passionate they willingly make sacrifices.

Leadership is never easy, but the results of passionate leadership are always life-changing.

Middle Leadership…

Over the years, much has been said about the middle child within family relationships. Some information fits, some not. We have learned that each child is unique in their own ways.

However, the idea of being in the middle develops an interesting thought for leadership…leading from the middle, influencing those who work below and above us. 

John Maxwell’s 360 Degree Leader shares a few principles.

1) Leadership influence works both ways, up and down.

2) Invaluable opportunities exist for the greater good from the middle.

3) The middle provides the greatest leverage for leading. 

As Christians, we all lead from the middle. Let us use this place well.

Right Decision, Right Time…

When leaders face decisions, it is critical to ask, “Is this the right time?”

Leaders have struggled with the results of making the right decision at the wrong time. The key is learning to make the right decision at the right time.

How do we learn this art?

Start with prayer. Consult the One who knows the past, present and future.

Counsel the wisdom of others. Seek advice from those who experienced similar decisions.

Admit wrong decisions. Never deny, ignore, or blame others for wrong decisions.

Timing can make or break a leader. Taking the right path improves our timing.

Protective Leadership…

Precautionary steps protect us from what can be harmful or even fatal.

Leadership provides a protection for the good of everyone. David understood this when he wrote Psalm 23.

Read through the lines of this Psalm and notice the protecting leadership of the Lord’s shepherding.

Leading indicates a shepherd’s care demonstrated in areas of safety.
Guidance in the context seems to indicate a spiritual direction.
Comfort is the result of the protective discipline needed.
Preparation completes the thought with victory over the challenges.

Leadership can provide precautions needed for the good of everyone.

How Leaders Communicate…

Communication is critical to successful leadership. Lady Dorthy Nevill says, “The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”

A couple of thoughts can help.

Always consider who is listening. This includes the person to whom we are speaking and others who may be in ear shot.

Think before speaking. A minute of good thought can prevent saying the wrong thing, even though we are tempted to appease our own desire.

Remember the greater cause. Our goal is to help others get to heaven. This thought should help us speak more beneficially.

Leading To Calmer Waters…

No one likes the storms of life. However, there are no exemptions.

Because leaders must face and navigate these rough times, what is needed to help still the waters?

Know we are not alone. Others have faced rough waters before. Learn from and encourage one another when these challenges are encountered.

Reflect on the previous victories. Rough waters help us grow stronger in our relationship with God and others. Each victory strengthens that growth.

Remember to keep the proper priorities. The danger is to drift back to old habits, associations, and involvement in activities that weaken our leadership.

Rely on the navigational instrument God provides where we find the courage to face challenges and steer to calmer waters.

If… Part 3

Even though the English often reads if, a first class conditional sentence structure in the Greek language demands greater certainty, since.

Transferring this into areas of leadership carries an interesting thought.

Since we influence a minimum of four people a day, we should study greater levels of leadership and the opportunity to make a greater difference.

Since we work to help souls get to heaven, we should prepare ourselves with a greater understanding of God’s word.

A number of areas could be considered, but the idea is the same. Let us lead with the certainty needed to make the future of the church stronger.