1 Cor. 9:27 NLT  “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” Discipline – training oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way. Leadership takes discipline . Becoming the best version of you requires a willingness to do things that others will not put the effort into. What does that look like? Well, how much sleep do you need to be effective and at your best? How often do you exercise? How much attention do you pay to your […]

J. Oswald Sanders in his book Spiritual Leadership makes this statement about becoming a leader: “If you cannot keep a secret, do not try to lead. If you cannot yield a point when someone else’s ideas are better, save yourself the frustration of failed leadership. If you want to maintain an image of infallibility, find something else to do besides leading people.” Leading people is giving my best to their best and coming up with something incredible for those who are being served. In the church leading is about enabling people to use their giftedness to develop the church and […]

Mark 10:42-44 NLT  So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be a servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.” The greatest impact that we will ever have as leaders will be determined by our ability to serve those God has placed right in front of us. Not those we hope to serve, or […]

When I was in school one of my favorite days was review day. You know, maybe before a big test or before moving on to a new concept, the teacher would take time to review to be sure you understood the important information that had been diligently imparted to you. I enjoyed this time because it was when I felt like I knew something, and it gave me a sneak peek into what the teacher was putting on the test. (I am also one of those strange people who loves to eat leftovers, which is a review of the meals […]

Have you ever thought about the saying, “You are what you eat”? You know the idea is that what you put in your body on a regular basis determines the health of your body. I would like to change that saying a little. “You become what you train for.” All of us, every day, are training ourselves to become something. The habits you have formed or are forming will determine who you will become. If your actions are thoughtless and unintentional, that is who you will become. If your actions are well-planned, reaching towards a specific goal, that is who […]

Deuteronomy 34:10 “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” The book of Deuteronomy closes with this incredible epitaph- there has never been another leader in Israel’s history like Moses. He knew God intimately and was used in amazing ways to deliver and care for His people (34:11-12). When I read verses like this one, I immediately ask myself, “What was the difference in Moses’ life? What set him apart from so many others who loved God?” I think the answer is found in the book of Numbers: “Now […]

Often I spend time thinking about the best ways to teach or help people understand a truth. I try to think of an illustration or object lesson that will make people “get it”. As I have been re-reading the gospels I have been reminded of how the greatest teacher (Jesus) made this happen. He did it as he lived life with his disciples. It is so interesting that Jesus taught lessons and then gave practical ways for his guys to walk the lesson out in their lives. It is by doing what we learn that truth filters down into our […]

It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. -A.W. Tozer Why do you get up every day to do the things you do? For fame? For glory? For money? For pleasure? For the joy of a job well done? To survive? To keep up with the American dream? Because it is expected? To get to the next level? To keep your job? To buy that next thing? Because someone is counting on you? Because you were taught to? As a Christ-follower and a leader the only […]

In Jeremiah 29:4-7 God speaks to His people who have been deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. He tells them to build houses, plant gardens, eat food, have children, allow their children to get married and have children. Then God tells them to “work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile.” Often as leaders we develop an “us against them” mentality. In reality our mindset should be: anything that is good for the church (God’s people) is good for those who are outside the church. As Christian leaders we should be seeking the good […]

How distracted are you? How many things are trying to grab your attention right at this minute ? One of the keys as a leader is being able to tune out the distractions and focus on the objective long enough to bring clarity for the people we are leading. Often this means forcing ourselves to take some quiet time with God first. Time to reflect on His word and listen for His Spirit’s voice. Sometimes it means changing our habits and the way we do things to make room for thought and creativity. If you are not focusing on the […]