Leadership

It's true: I'm a news geek. I watch the news, read it on my phone, and even watch C-SPAN on occasion (and not just the free-for-all British Parliament programming). Normally I don't venture into the political waters on this blog.  And this particular post is not intended for political purposes.  But something happened recently that I believe applies to leaders at all levels: Good leaders accept responsibility and accountability for what happens on their watch. You probably know about the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Libya.  Four people were killed, including an ambassador.  The spin/fall-out/excuses started immediately. The first explanation blamed the deadly uproar on a YouTube video.  Later we learned it wasn't a spontaneous attack, it had been planned for quite a while.  Yet people kept appearing on news programs telling us it was the video's fault. Then they started throwing each other (and each other's agencies) under…

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15 I read this verse this morning and thought about the connection between peace and thankfulness.  It's there.  It's definitely there. The most peaceful people I know tend to be the most thankful people I know.  There is a gratitude that flows from them in every conversation, in every situation.  You can't talk with them long before hearing words like "blest," "fortunate," "grateful" and others like that. Conflict is fueled by a sense of being wronged.  It is fostered when one person feels cheated or deprived of something. Contentment, on the other hand, flows out of thankfulness.  And content people tend to be peaceful people.  If I am content, I do not have to resent you for what you have and what I don't have.…

I'm reading a great new e-book from Tony Morgan called "Taking the Lid Off Your Church: 6 Steps to Building a Healthy Senior Leadership Team."  ($2.99 at Amazon!).   I'd like to share with you the seven questions he says you should ask when considering a new person for the team: Do they have leadership gifts? Are they big-picture thinkers? Are they strategic thinkers? Can they build teams? Do they share the vision and values of your organization? Do they help us reflect the diversity of our ministry? Are they lifelong learners? Great questions!  I'd recommend you buy Tony's book and give it a thorough read.  If you don't have a Kindle, don't worry ... you can download a free Kindle app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or tablet.

Many years ago Stephen Covey wrote the best-selling book, "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People."  One of those habits was: "Begin with the end in mind."  In other words, define what you're working towards before you start. On paper, this seems to make sense.  Before you get in the car, know where you are going. But in many ways, we hop in the car and try to figure out as we're driving where it is we are going. In your career, what does success look like? If you're a Christ-follower, what does a mature Christ-follower look like? If you're a youth pastor, what do you want a graduating senior to be like?  To know? If  you're married, what does a healthy, fulfilling marriage look like? If you're a pastor, what does a growing church look like? Once the end is defined, the steps to get there usually fall in place.…

This past weekend, I spoke on the early church and their response to opposition.  Instead of praying for deliverance, they prayed for boldness: "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness" (Acts 4:29). Let's be honest: Most of us would have prayed for deliverance.  "God, get rid of these people ... fix this problem ... smooth out this bump ... give me more money!"  Instead, these believers prayed for a boldness equal to their challenge. Here's the choice we must make when faced with difficulties: While I allow these difficulties to deepen my determination or defeat my determination? Often, we allow difficulties to defeat our determination.  Or, to put it this way, we give up.  We walk away, give in, fold over.  Is there a proper time to quit?  Yes.  Sometimes it is foolish to continue down an unproductive path. However, just…