November Leadership Moments - Leadership Moment

November Leadership Moments

11/3/08
Be a Life Long Learner

According to a leading pastor’s personal study of the Bible, there are about 400 individuals within the Word who had “leadership” responsibilities. Of those 400, about 25% of them finished their lives in obedience to God. Those leaders that did finish their lives in obedience had one thing in common: THEY WERE LIFE LONG LEARNERS.

Living that kind of life is an echo of the words spoken by Jesus in Luke 2:52: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and with men.” Jesus, our perfect example of leadership, the God-Man, was mysteriously and yet conclusively growing in his leadership even in His sinless perfect self.

I’m John Hull. Let me encourage you to pray for our newly elected national leaders. I recommend reading the book, Pivotal Praying, which you can find on the webstore at leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/4/08
Read, Listen, Learn – Then Lead

Years ago, an internationally know news reporter was asked by an aspiring journalism student, ‘What career advice can you give me?’ The seasoned reporter replied: ‘Read the great writers and listen to great talkers.”

That’s great advice for aspiring leaders too. The leaders that most positively impact societies and organizations around the world are lifelong learners. They never stop growing in their desire to better their lives and increase their knowledge. They read, the listen, they learn…and then they lead!

11/5/08
Don’t Stop Learning

The Apostle Paul was a life-long learner. He told the Philippians that even though he was well educated, he had not even come close to understanding the things that really matter most in life…like eternity…like God!

Paul’s hunger for learning was evident even toward the end of his life when he was in jail because of his faith in God. He wrote Timothy for John Mark to bring him books and papers – and the scriptures, so that he could continue to read, continue to grow, continue to learn, and continue to stay encouraged. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much you think you know…don’t stop learning. It’s critical to your health, your joy and encouragement.

I’m John Hull. Let me encourage you to pray for our newly elected national leaders. I recommend reading the book, Pivotal Praying, which you can find on the webstore at leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/6/08
Leadership and Faithfulness

During his years of ministry, Paul wrote extensively on the subject of leadership. Some of his writing focused on leadership directly – where he gave clear instructions as to what leaders should do and not do. Other writings indirectly mentioned the leadership issue, either taking it for granted in the context where ministry was taking place, or urging others to treat leaders in their congregations with proper respect.

Regardless of the place or context, Paul knew the value of good and healthy leadership. On one occasion he wrote…and I paraphrase: “The most important quality of a servant leader is that they be faithful.” Leadership and faithfulness; faithfulness and leadership. They go hand in hand.

I’m John Hull. Let me encourage you to pray for our newly elected national leaders. I recommend reading the book, Pivotal Praying, which you can find on the webstore at leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/7/08
A Leader’s Heart

In I Corinthians 4, Paul provides some significant insights about what a leader in God’s vineyard looks like. One of the many clear principles bubbling up from the pages of scripture is that leadership isn’t found in a title, but more accurately found in a heart – the heart of that leader. Paul believed that if a leader will faithfully follow his recommendations outlined in I Corinthians 4:1 and 2, that leader will finish their lives here on earth in obedience to God.

Here’s what he said in those verses…and I paraphrase: Be accountable. Be a servant. Be a steward. Be faithful. If that’s in a leader’s heart, God’s favor will follow!

11/10/08
Regard

Paul talked about the importance of people in society “regarding” Christian leaders in I Corinthians 4:1. The word “regard” means to reckon or account. Its origins come from a Greek word where we get our English word “account.” It has the idea of people looking at a leader’s life and making some calculations about that life.

It’s clear to me that Paul is reminding leaders that people are watching. In the marketplace, the local church or at home, people watch leaders – they are making some calculations. If you’re a leader, don’t kid yourself, people are watching you. And as they watch, they’re adding up as to whether or not you’re the real deal.

I’m John Hull. Let me encourage you to pray for our newly elected national leaders. I recommend reading the book, Pivotal Praying, which you can find on the webstore at leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/11/08
Be Accountable

What keeps a leader from being an open book? Why are some leaders so aloof? Well, you hope it’s not because there’s something to hide! In I Corinthians 4, Paul reminds leaders that people are watching – and leaders need to account for that in their personal and public lives.

No leader is perfect, but every leader needs to build some protective accountability around them. Being an open book doesn’t mean you broadcast all your failures and fears. But it does mean that you surround yourselves with solid relationships that help guard the leader from making decisions that could lead to self-destruction and disenchanted followers.

11/12/08
Christian Leadership = Servant Leadership

In I Corinthians 4, Paul speaks of leaders as “servants/ministers.” The word that comes from really carries with it more the image of a slave. More specifically…a galley slave. In the time of Paul’s writing, slaves were used on ships to row the oars in the lowest parts of the vessel. It was the most unenvied job on the boat.

The image couldn’t be clearer: Christian leaders are to be servant leaders. They are to provide the forward motion, even if behind or below the scenes so that the organization can reach its destination.

In today’s world of logos and egos, Paul brings us back to reality.

Christian leadership is all about servant leadership.

I’m John Hull. Let me encourage you to pray for our newly elected national leaders. I recommend reading the book, Pivotal Praying, which you can find on the webstore at leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/13/08
True Authority Comes From Serving

The late Ray Steadman once said, “Our churches are not be hierarchies of bosses, but lower-archies of servants.” In the church world, we have pastors, bishops, priests, reverends, chairs of boards and authorities of every description.

But regardless of title, Jesus taught that true authority comes about when leaders understand what it means to serve. Jesus taught that those who serve, regardless of title or position, are the ones who earn the true mantle of authority in his church.

11/14/08
Serve Others

The strength of leadership in the Christian community does not come with a title, it comes with an orientation of serving others before yourself. In I Corinthians 4, Paul paints a picture that leaders in the church are really galley slaves. They are the ones who take on the toughest tasks and prepared to receive little to no recognition.

How does a local church go forward? It moves in a positive direction when servant leaders tirelessly and sacrificially provide the locomotion and acceleration – like those who row a boat beneath the lowest parts of the ship. That was true then – and it’s true now.

11/17/08
Servant Leaders Move the Church Forward

Try to imagine a church without servant leadership.

Perhaps you don’t have to imagine. You may know of such of church right now! If you do, you know that when no servant leadership, or little servant leadership exists, you’re looking at a church that isn’t going forward.

A Christian leader can never serve people rightly unless he/she understands that first they must serve the Lord, rightly. And the only way to serve the Lord rightly and correctly is by taking on the form of servant. Whether your church is traditional, liturgical, contemporary or anything else in style, the only way for it to go forward is through a team of servant leaders.

11/18/08
The Essential Need for a Servant’s Heart

In John 13, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Here, the perfect Son of God, served imperfect human beings. What a profound example of servant leadership. My friend Tim Elmore writes: “The issue of servant-leadership is the single greatest contrast between spiritual and secular leadership.”

Every leader will be faced with the temptation to “power up” on people, to force an issue, or feel like they have to “win.” But Jesus sets another standard…a higher standard. Those who are called to lead must remember that at the very core of their ability to influence others for God and good is the essential need for a servant’s heart.

11/19/08
CHANGE

A newspaper reporter went to visit an old man upon the celebrations of his 100th birthday. The reporter approached him and asked, “Sir, you must have seen a great many changes during your one hundred years.”

The old man gazed at him and said, “Yes and I’ve been against every one of them.”

You know, if we’re not careful, we can get stuck in a rut and let the world pass us by after we’ve raised all our objections to all the changes.

What’s sad for those who resist change is this – few things can’t improve, few people can’t improve, except through change! Change for the sake of change isn’t the goal.

But change for the sake of true growth is one of life’s most noble goals.

11/20/08
Learn from Falling

Anyone who walks down the path of life not only has the privilege of enjoying it, but also must take the risk of falling.

When you rise to the occasion, you may fall prey to the enemy. Any person that is willing to stand for something at time will be knocked down.

Leaders, especially leaders in the Kingdom of God, should stand for something – and for Someone, the Lord Jesus.

But even when we make that stand, sometimes we fumble our words, lose our thoughts, say the wrong things, embarrass our family members, and even disappoint our Lord.

But that’s part of the growth plan for leaders. When we fall, we learn humility and grace.

And in that lesson, we’ll learn how to walk better – and lead better for the future.

I’m John Hull. Let me encourage you to pray for our newly elected national leaders. I recommend reading the book, Pivotal Praying, which you can find on the webstore at leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/21/08
Definition of Success

There’s lots of success in the marketplace today. Perhaps the best definition of success I’ve seen is “Success is losing a life and finding it.”

Jesus said, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

What you keep you lose and what you lose you keep. Quite a paradox!

One of the reasons many have never tasted sweet success is that they’re unwilling to sacrifice to achieve.

Life is a just bargainer.

You give a little, and you receive a little. You give much, and you receive much. Every leader needs to remember that losing is winning in God’s eyes!

If that thought scares you, maybe you need a new set of glasses.

11/24/08
Give Thanks

There is something very powerful about giving thanks. It’s powerful to our families, it’s powerful to our friends, and it’s a powerful expression of our faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, the Bible says that we are to give thanks in everything!

Wow! I guess that includes giving thanks in a beaten down economy too. In fact, it’s giving thanks when things don’t seem so great that ignites our faith and reveals if we can take God at His word. Today, give thanks – or in this or any other context of life whether it’s easy or pleasant.

I’m John Hull. We put together a devotional book of Leadership Moment spots called "365 Inspirational Thoughts for the Leader's Year". To find out how you can receive your copy before the New Year begins, go to leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/25/08
Thanks Barometer

Have you found your “gratitude elevator” going down more than up these days? Is your thankfulness more like the shifts of the stock market than the continuous flow of a mountain stream? As a follower of Jesus Christ, and with Thanksgiving approaching, you’re being tested once again on the “thanks” barometer.

I find giving thanks one of the most healthy things I can ever express or do in my walk with the Lord. Regardless of the calendar or the season, you and I have the capacity to daily do a simple thing: give thanks to God. Don’t let the economy get your down and become the basis for your thanks. Let your faith in God lead the way.

I’m John Hull. We put together a devotional book of Leadership Moment spots called "365 Inspirational Thoughts for the Leader's Year". To find out how you can receive your copy before the New Year begins, go to leadershipmoment.org. That's leadershipmoment.org.

11/26/08
In Remembrance of Me

This Thanksgiving, let’s express our thanks to Jesus Christ and all the work that He’s done on our behalf. Let’s, like Jesus when he took bread and broke it, give thanks for what He has done for us. He said, “This is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

Because Jesus gave thanks and then went to the cross for our sins, we can give thanks. Because of Jesus Christ, we are not what we used to be – sinners in need of a savior. Today, give thanks to the Lord Jesus, for His body, for His blood, for His work in our lives.

Today, be thankful for life – life that comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ…and be thankful that those who believe escape the wrath of God. Be thankful that if any individual is in Christ, they are a new creature – that old things are passed away and that all things become new.

Give thanks today that you belong to God and that God belongs to you. It’s because of His son, Jesus Christ, that we have received the gift of eternal life – and because of that giving thanks is only the beginning of wonderful words that express His wonder and beauty.

It’s Thanksgiving – let’s be thankful.

11/28/08
Hinge Day

The day after Thanksgiving usually launches the Christmas season. It’s that “hinge” day between the holidays. Today’s that day that’s supposed to swing us from where we are to where we are supposed to go. Now, where do you want to go from here? Another holiday of buying and eating or eating and buying?

Or, how about a Christmas season where you don’t miss the point…God with us, Emmanuel, Peace on earth? Those aren’t just words on a card or wrapping paper. These are the true words of Christmas and on this hinge day, they are amazing thoughts for thanks!