TODAY’S LEADERSHIP VACUUM

There is a huge misunderstanding about leadership.  I see it in business, in churches, in family life, and in the political arena.  Let me first say leadership is not a position (manager, pastor, husband/wife, Governor or President).   A position does not make you a leader.  A leader makes the position.  Today society is confused about what makes a good leader.  Politics is bringing this to the forefront.  If you’re a Governor or a Legislator or President that means you are a leader.  Well, this just isn’t true.  This is why our country has been heading for trouble for some time and now it is becoming very apparent.  Charisma is not leadership.  Loud talking is not leadership.  Good speeches is not leadership.  Popularity is not leadership.  Over the last 40 – 50 years, with the rare exception of a few of people, our Presidents and Legislators have not been true leaders. 

Let’s define leadership:

1    Trust is the first layer of the foundation for leadership.  If you don’t have trust, you don’t have  influence with people.  You will intimidate people or use the position as influence, but you won’t have the ability to lead them for very long. 

2    Character is the second layer of the foundation for leadership.  This is the inner strength that makes one consistent, a person of their word, has the people’s respect, is reliable and always truthful.

3    Integrity is the third layer of the foundation for leadership. You are what you are every day both publically and privately.  You can be counted on to be honest in all your dealings.  You are consistent in matters that are small and large.  People know you will do what you say.  You are admired by people because of your integrity.

4     Authenticity is the fourth layer of the foundation for leadership.  You will be yourself with everyone.  Not a different person for a different situation or crowd.  You will own up to your weakness and mistakes as well as your strengths.  You will not be a hypocrite but be real and human.

5    Discipline is the fifth layer of the foundation for leadership.  This means you will do the right things every time and every day regardless of the situation or how you feel.  You will hold yourself in check.  You will have a system and stick to it.  You will make yourself do the right things.  Discipline protects all five levels in leadership.

Now, let me ask you, “How many people do you know that are good leaders?”  What our country, churches, and homes need are true leaders with these five qualities.  A leader has a huge responsibility.  If they see a problem that threatens the organization/country/church, any problem that could do harm to employees/citizens/church members, or cheat the customer/citizens/people, they have a responsibility to resolve them no matter how messy, costly, or difficult it may be.  Leaders don’t have the freedom to neglect their position or responsibility.  Leaders do the right thing.  They don’t let the polls tell them what to do.  Leaders make the tough calls.  They don’t worry about popularity or criticism, they lead the way by making the right call. 

What our country needs today are leaders.  Leaders in our country, churches, businesses, and homes.  So if we elect leaders, gridlock will go away, politics will be set aside, what is best for the people and country will become a priority, personal agendas will be a thing of the past, lobbyist will disappear and trust will be re-established.  So look for a true leader to follow.  One with the above 5 qualities.   You are never too old to begin.  Leaders are not born, they are developed.  Remember the old saying; “everything rises and falls on leadership.”  Become a good leader.  Help change our businesses, our country, our churches and our homes by becoming a good leader!!  Fill the vacuum.  Note: Some of the above came from the # 1 leader in America, John Maxwell.

MAIN THING

The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.  Sounds simple doesn't it?  I hate to admit that I am old enough to say "listen to what I am about to say because I am speaking to you from years of experience." But it's true, I can speak from experience.  As we go through life there are always battles for what the main thing in our life is really going to be.  When we get side tracked the main thing really isn't the main thing.  You might be asking, "what is the main thing?"  Without sounding too religious, let me say, it is keeping God first in all we do.  Not putting anything before Him.  IE. Our career, our money, our homes, our family, our recreation, our volunteering, our hobbies, or  anything we do that comes before Him.  The Bible says in Proverbs 3:6, "In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success."  This says, "IN EVERYTHING" God should be first.  I like what the Living Bible says in Matthew 6:33, "Your heavenly Father knows all of what you need and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to." Thats the main thing!  Putting God first in all we do.  I can't say God has always been the main thing in my life.  I wanted Him to be, but I got side tracked sometimes in my journey.  My career at times was the main thing.  Desiring things for my kids above my desire for Him was the main thing.  Watching tv shows just to name a few.  We have to fight with our will to keep the main thing the main thing.  When we get close to the end of our life, what do we want others to see as the main thing?  First it should be we were true followers of Christ.  Secondly, we were good at showing our children what should be first in their life.  Today society gives us so many options to steal our time to where we put God second, third or even last.  When we consistantly put other things ahead of our prayer time, Bible study, or not having Him first in all we do, or when we place sports ahead of church time for our children, we are not keeping the main thing the main thing.  I don't think we will ever say on our death bed, "I wish I would have done this or that instead of praying and reading the Bible." Or... "I wish I hadn't denyed our kids some sports activity and instead made them go to church or Bible study."  Or... "I wished I had bought that big home to where I had to work to support the payment while denying God my time or investing in my children."  You see, it's hard to keep the main thing the main thing.  But let me encourage you.  Take an inventory of your time.  Where is God in that mix?  Can you truly say, "God is the main thing in my life?"  If not, re-priortize now!  Put God first in all you do........  So..... THE MAIN THING IS KEEPING THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING!!!  Note, the key word is keeping.   You have to make it happen.    

CONFLICT

Conflict is part of life.  We can't escape it for long before it will catch up with us.  People try to avoid it.   They become peace makers but inside they are still holding on to the conflict.  People run from it but it will catch up with them when they are tired of running.  Then they blow up. Some seem to like conflict. Others will deal with it.  No matter what type of personality you may have, you should learn to deal with conflict.  Conflict is not bad in itself.  It's when we avoid it and let it become an issue of bitterness, hidden anger or resentment does it become wrong.  So what can you do?  First what does the Bible have to say about conflict.  "Agree with your adversary quickly."  "When you bring your gift to the altar and there remember someone has something against you (conflict), you leave your gift and go to them and try to make it right."  So here are some suggestions to remember or do.

1.  Remember, putting off addressing a conflict will only make it worse. (most times) This gives the other person the ability to tell others and gain an army seeing only their point of view.  Now it becomes harder to resolve because the conflict has gained momentum.  So... address the conflict as soon as you learn of it.

2.  All conflict is not bad.  Some great ideas, new concepts and inventions, and even new friendships are a result of conflict.

3.  Address the conflict as soon as you learn of it.

4.  Stay with the facts of the situation and do not let feelings come into the matter.

5.  As a Christian, you should make the first move.

6.  Most conflict is a communication breakdown.  You said something and they heard something else.

7.  Be polite and understanding.  Address them like you would want to be addressed.

8.  Pray that God will give insight into the situation.

9.  Bringing resolution is the mission, not being right or making a point.

10. Some may not be ready to resolve the conflict.  After trying, give them space and let God speak to them. You have done your part.

  

So, get your head out of the sand, address any conflict or misunderstanding you may have with someone.  You should not be carrying around unresolved conflict.  IT'S LIFE!!

HERITAGE

With my father dying this week it has caused me to reflect on life and what we leave behind.  I can tell you my father did not leave behind any money or worldly possessions.  He was a humble man who gave much more than he received.  Somewhere in his maturing process with Christ, he got a glimpse of what was really important in this life.  He learned and understood the two worlds.  One world we live in and one world we will live forever.  One world where we begin life's race, and the other world a place where the race ends and we receive the crown of life.  Somehow he learned that in this world he was just passing through. That life should count by being faithful to the cause of Christ in the way we act, the way we teach, the way live life and the legacy we leave behind.  Steve Green sings a song called "Find Us Faithful".  One line reads,  "May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe, and the life we live inspire them to obey. Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful".  So I ask myself and encourage you to ask the same question.  What are we living for?  What is really important in life?  What are we leaving behind to point others to Christ?  Are we just passing through or are we taking up residence?  I heard hundreds tell me of what my dad left behind in them that pointed them to Christ and helped them point their kids to Christ.  So let us focus on keeping the main thing the main thing.  Letting Christ live in us in a way that will impact those around us and point the way to Him.  May all who come behind us find us faithful!!

THOSE WHO FAIL TO PLAN....

You have heard it said that those who fail to plan, plan to fail.  Even the Bible says, "Let us make plans counting on God to direct us."  Many people fail to see the importance of planning.  They come to believe that since they achieve some degree of success it is ok.  However, some of the things they fail to realize are the following:
1.  A failure to maximize results.  They don't achieve the best return on their investment of
     time and  resources.  The results achieved are far less that what they could have been if
     they had just planned.
2.  They actually waste time and resources because they didn't count the cost ahead of
     time.
3.  Others around them are frustrated because of not knowing what to do and when to do it.
4.  Good people are hard to recruit because they aren't attracted to disorganization.
5.  They are expending energy in putting out fires rather than maximizing results.
6.  They fail to personally achieve their overall potential.
7.  They really can't have confidence in the outcome but can only hope for the best.

One could say that failure is achieving far less than what one is capable of doing.  One doesn't consider that in the equation when ignoring the need to plan.  Let me say this, even though you may not like taking the time to plan, just do it.  God wants your best.  Your best is achieved by planning.  When you plan, you have counted the cost, you have planned for a desired outcome and can expect it within reason, you have reduced frustration for yourself and others, you have added value to your project, and you can know you did your best.  So add planning to your project and calendar.  Make it part of your work ethic. Learn to do it even though you may not like it. Then....  the next time you can say, "I planned to succeed because I did not fail to plan."

MY GUT FEELING

Did you ever do something that when you were doing it, it just didn't feel right?  Have you ever had an uneasy feeling about someone and didn't know why?  Have you ever felt that something inside of you was saying don't, but you convinced yourself that it was OK anyway?  Well......., did you learn something?  I have.  Always trust your God given instincts.  That feeling in your gut that gives you an advance "heads up" that this may not be the best thing to do, if a gift from God.   I believe God has given each of us this gift and those who pay attention to it has a higher level of the gift because they they listen and obey God.  God wants us to be aware of the things around us.  He wants to help us make better decisions.  He wants to warn us of potential danger.  I have discovered that using this gift saves us a lot of grief while at the same time others may not understand our reasoning.  God wants to protect us spiritually, relationally, financially, and emotionally.  When we listen to this feeling in our inner being, our gut, we will never have to say, "I had a bad feeling about this," or,  "I should have listened to my gut," or, "I knew this might happen."  You have gut feelings for a reason.  So......  listen to them.  Act accordingly.  Even if nothing happens, you don't know what could of happened in the future.  Obey what God is making you feel and that will be the best thing you can ever do.   My gut is telling me I have said enough.    

IT'S PASSION MAN, PASSION

When I review the stats in churches today, I am saddened.  Last year 47% of churches did not have one person receive salvation.  However, isn't that their main function and purpose?  "Go and make disciples" and then "teach them how to become a fully devoted follower of Christ".  Are these churches and pastors saying there is not one lost person within the reach of the church?

Does the church have to take some responsibility for this?  I think so.  Have they lost sight of the mission of the church?  Do they think more of themselves and their preferences than of those they should be trying to reach?  How can they sit by and do nothing?  Aren't they called as well to bring the lost to Christ?  Have they bought into the distorted belief that it's the pastor's responsibility?  It's time for the church to look at itself and face the brutal facts.  Really, what is the purpose for the existence of the church if not to win the lost and teach them to remain in the faith.  The church must ask itself, "What is our business?"  Then, "How is business?"  What are we passionate about?  It had better be what Jesus was passionate about.
 
Where do the pastors fit into all of this?  Could it be that some have "lost their first love?"  Could others have lost sight of their calling?  Could some have fallen into the trap that they have a job and not a calling?  Could others be waiting for retirement?  Could others just be tired and have given up?  Have we lost sight that we will one day give an account to God?  Does anyone fear that anymore? Are we OK with giving the impression "Just die and go to hell because we just don't care?"  Was Jesus kidding when he said "go out into the city and streets and bring them in so that my house will be full?"  

So what is the problem?  Here is one thought I will suggest to put at the top of the list.  It's called passion.  When people are really passionate about something, they pour themselves into it.  It gets them up in the morning.  Its the last thing on their mind before they go to sleep.  It affects their work schedule,  their work ethic, organizes their priorities, the way they converse or preach, how they lead, and their focus.  Passion drives a person.  Passion is contagious!  Passion is caught by others.  Passion removes the option of failure.  Passion brings one to life.

So what must a church and a pastor do?  Ask God for forgiveness. Pray that God will either renew their passion or place a passion for the lost deep within their souls.  The church must focus on its mission.  The pastor has to lead with passion.  They must become driven.  They have to set the example of leading others to Christ.  If a pastor's calling doesn't excite them, then they should find something somewhere to become passionate about and let a passionate pastor take their place.   Wasn't it passion that drove Christ to the cross?  IT'S PASSION MAN, PASSION!