Vision: Needed, But From Where is it Coming

It is pretty widely known and accepted that for an organization to move forward, that organization should have a vision of where to go. But, where does that vision come from? According to Henry and Richard Blackaby, it will come from “Duplicating Success, Vanity, Need, Available Resources, Leader-Driven”. A case can be made for each of them, and even as I contemplate each of them, a place to start with a vision can be had from any of them.

The organization needs a north star, if you will, to guide them. A vision can and will do that, but is it leading to the right place, that is the question. Let’s start with “Duplicating Success”. New organizations, will take the success of previous or even alternate organizations and put in place a vision based on that success and model. Where the vision was effective for that organization, it may not be the right vision for the new. Just because it worked once, does not mean that it will work again.

Next, we have “Vanity”. This vision is driven by the one to gain notoriety for himself as the purveyor of the vision. The attitude that “I put this in place and am driving the organization forward” approach. This is an organization, not a sole-proprietorship. There needs to be mass buy-in as opposed to edict from the one.

What about “Need”? Looking at the constituent landscape and determining the need and driving the organization based on that need. What a noble approach, solving the problem in the area. But what about the long term. Seems to me that the organization that seek to meet a specific need, loses focus as the need gets close to being met.

And then we have the “Available Resources”. This is the approach of looking at your organization and seeing what you have at your disposal and working with what you have to drive what you will do. This is not the same as using the resources you have to accomplish your vision, but rather setting the vision based on what you have available.

And finally, from the Blackabys we have “Leader-Driven”. This one to me is where we should be, but it is not one man as the leader providing the vision. Yes, there is one man at the top of the organization, but is the one man the premier authority? Where the motives of the one man may be sound and wholesome, is this the approach of spiritual leadership as designed by God?

Paul knew of the challenges which faced the leaders of the church. He knew that there would always be a tendency for the one to drive the direction of the many. Now there may be the one who is driving, it is not for the one to decide on the direction to go or path to take. It is this “one” who, unless fully dependent and obedient to God, who will decide on the vision based on the five places noted above.

“²⁰Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” – 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (ESV)

As for spiritual leadership, It is from God where vision should come. We should not be moving on our own accord but should be working toward the goal of the LORD as He provides and directs.

Where is your vision coming from? Are you looking to one of the five places above? What if you were to take your direction from the LORD and allow Him to provide and guide you?

Leadership Growth Through Experience

I believe that we put too much weight of demonstrated leadership through the celebration of the success without reviewing the circumstances that lead to that success. Before we get too far, I want to be clear in that I am not saying we should not celebrate success, as isn’t success the point. What I am saying is that where the success is the result, what lead to that success that can be replicated or avoided to generate more success.

It is the experiences that lead to the success. Think of Thomas Edison and the creation of the lightbulb. It is reported that he said, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The lightbulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” Thomas Edison grew, not from the success, but from the experiences of getting to that success. One thousand experiences led to the invention of the lightbulb. We have to look at the experiences that led to the success a bit more.

In my life, I have had many experiences that led to my success. At one point in a company survey of the effectiveness of the leader in your organization, I was deemed by my subordinates as compared to the rest of the organization’s leaders (over 30 of us) to be the least effective. Yes, I was not just at the bottom of the list, I was the bottom. Last, in the list of my peers. What a failure I was at the time. But, I learned from that experience that I had to do and be better. And about 18 months later when the survey was taken again, I had moved up to the top of the bottom third. Yes, I was not considered high on the list of leaders, but I was not the bottom of the list either. I had learned from the experience and improved drastically and noticeably.

Where success is what the goal is, the result is not always the determining factor of the success. The experiences leading to that success make it more likely that success can and will be repeated. Moses failed to reach the promised land based on the experiences in the wilderness. Joseph failed in staying the traditional course of family. Yet, they both were and were considered great leaders based on experiences and life events that are recorded. When we look at the lives of Moses and Joseph, their continued movement forward through the hardship and failures and experiences, should inspire us to take the similar approach. We should not let those experiences get us down or derail us from our continued movement. We should be looking to those experiences as growth opportunities and steps in the process of becoming the leader that God is creating in each of us.

Where are you looking when it comes to growth in your leadership? Are you looking to the successes as the demonstration of your leaders? What if you took in all the experiences that led to the results and used those as steps in the process of your growth in leadership?

Look to Work from God’s Agenda

I do understand, when looking to lead, there is an agenda or a goal or a destination that is being worked. It only makes sense, otherwise what is the point, getting people to follow aimlessly. In virtually every leadership book, periodical, class, or seminar I have been exposed, leadership is almost pointless without purpose.

Jesus had an agenda, a goal, a destination as He was leading the disciples. He was aware of the mission. He understood the purpose. The thing is, it was not His agenda, but the Father’s. Jesus came, rather was sent to this world to carry out the Father’s agenda. He was set to do work of the Father and not His own. Jesus was the workman carrying out the mission.

As Jesus went through this world before He did anything, He consulted the Father to get the lay of the land and understand the mission at that moment. Before His actions, Jesus prayed to the Father. Jesus followed the agenda of the Father at every turn. He was in tune with God and knew that it was not His own will, but the Father’s for all things to happen.

“³⁶And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” – Mark 14:36 (ESV)

Jesus was always looking keenly for the next part of the agenda to play out. He was looking for and always willing to accomplish the Father’s plan. Jesus was not just bringing a group of people on a journey to nowhere, He was leading based on an agenda. It was the agenda of the Father.

This is to be our approach as well. As disciples we are to follow an agenda. The agenda will lead to the goal, destination, or result we are to accomplish. The thing is, that agenda is not our own but the agenda of the Father. I have to remember every day to have restless eyes as I seek to work the agenda of the Father. I am to be in communication with the Father as Jesus was to get the direction I am to take. At each turn I am to reach out to the Father to understand as much as He can and/or will give me. I am to follow the LORD’s direction and work to accomplish His agenda.

What is leading you? Are you out there working on accomplishing your own work to get somewhere you want to be? What if you were to work the agenda of the Father and followed his direction to accomplish His agenda?

Leadership Defined

This is a noble goal and yet there are so many out there, definitions of leadership that is. This morning in my reading I have been reminded of several. I am not going to give my own definition here, but rather discuss more of the concept as I understand, knowing that there is more to it and it may not land with everyone the same.

There are soooooooo many that espouse to know what leadership is, and maybe they do. But, if you really look at each of them and their “definition” they are all similar save for the target of or result desired. In just looking at three in my reading, they all lean into persuasion and influence as a part of leadership. So the concept of leadership is to persuade and/or influence others.

This persuasion and/or influence is used to get others to do things that are wanted or desired by the one persuading and/or influencing or to reach a certain goal. And this can be done a number of ways. One can explain the positive impact of the change or reaching the goal. One can demonstrate the consequences of not achieving. And there is also the “because I said so” method. But ultimately, the idea is to get others to do that which is wanted by the one.

With this in mind, it is the goal of spiritual leadership to move others toward the goal that God has for us in our lives. The thing is that each of us is different and the goal that God has for you is certainly different than the goal He has for me. That makes the concept of persuasion and/or influence a challenge. We cannot lead to something if we do not know what that something is. And, we have to be careful in leading to our own path when those we are leading may not be interested or able to follow our path.

Here is the thing. We are to persuade and/or influence others to God’s agenda. Think about the biblical leaders. Moses, led the Israelites out of Egypt because God told Him to so that they would be established in the promised land (God’s agenda). Joshua led the Israelites to topple the walls Jericho that they would be established in the promised land (God’s agenda). Jesus, gave Himself to die for us that we would be established as saved from this world and become heirs with Him in heaven (God’s agenda).

We are to persuade and/or influence others to God’s agenda, not our own. When looked on as this, I can see that spiritual leadership is not just useful in the church. It is useful in the secular world as well. My leadership is to move others to God’s agenda and not my own or some other entity. Yes, there may be tasks to complete within the other entity, but those should be leading to the ultimate goal of aligning and completing God’s plan. Leadership therefore is moving others to accomplish God’s agenda as the statement from Henry and Richard Blackaby indicates here:

“Spiritual leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda.”

What is your definition of leadership? Are you attributing to the completion of single or defined tasks? What if you attributed everything to move others on to God’s agenda?

Who Leads You, God or King

I know, that seems like a question that may get some conflicting thoughts. And I will say that at first consideration, it does to me as well. This morning in my reading and study, I was asked to consider that very question and dug into them.

The Israelites wanted a king and the LORD granted their want. But as with most things, wants and needs are two very different things. The Israelites saw that grand size and wealth and pageantry of the other nations and wanted that very thing for themselves without considering the cost.

In 1 Samuel 8:10-22 Samuel laid out the cost to them. A king will take sons to be in the army, take daughters to serve him, take the best of fields for his pleasure, take your servants to serve as his, take the best of the flocks for his. Everything that was had by the Israelites was not theirs any longer, as ll belonged to the world and the king who reigned over it. Even after learning of all that a king will take, the people were still blinded by their want, and so the LORD gave it to them. The results were as to be expected, just what Samuel had laid out to them.

Contrast that with having our God. He is our king. He does not take, we give. Everything that we have, just as with a king, belongs to Him. The difference is that we continue to work it and have it for us. Our sons, stay with us until their time to have their own families. And the same for our daughters. That which comes from our fields is still for us to work and experience the bounty. Our servants, would remain in our household. Our flocks are for us to work and experience. All that we have is ours and the bounty that comes from it we attribute to the LORD and give freely back to Him.

Our kingdom should be ruled by God. He is the example of the true king in our lives. He provides for us as He only wants the best for us. No, we may not be rich with things of the world. We may not have millions of acres and/or millions of dollars. We will however have what we need to be content and enjoy our time together, and more importantly, our time with Him. By giving ourselves to God as our king, all will be provided for us.

“³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Who is leading your life? Are you beholden to a king and all that he takes from you? What if you were to worship God as your king and know that He provides all that we need?

Christian Leadership Principles into Secular Roles

This morning I continue my study into Spiritual Leadership and have been led to the similarities and differences of Christian Leadership and Secular Leadership. This is a fascinating comparison that has many facets, yet this morning I cover(ed) one of them. The question in my reading from MasterWork this morning that generated the most thought was this: “Do leadership principles found in secular writing and seminars apply to work done in God’s kingdom?” and pastors will go with, “Will these same principles work for me as I lead my church?”

My answer to these questions is yes. Principles to leadership are translatable from one role to another. It is the need according to the LORD or the world that has to be addressed and the direction and outcome expected in each. I do believe that when applied to the need and the direction and outcome are considered, what is used in one role, say pastor, can be used in another role, say CEO.

Here is the thing, it is leadership principles of the LORD that should be emulated in the world, not the other way around. As I read and wrote on before, the church is filled with “leaders” that were not formally “taught” to lead. They did not receive a book or a course on true leadership in seminary, or did they?

The greatest leader of all time was, JESUS. Think about it. Jesus took men and women from all walks of life and over the course of three years, led them to take over His work in this world. They would go from place to place and apply the fruit of the Spirit wherever and with whomever they came in contact with. They were filled by the Spirit and let it shine from themselves to the world.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

The principles above are from the LORD and not from the world. We see secular leaders in the world who introduce these principles as being great, and leaders, even pastors, all over gravitate to them. There is this belief that somehow these secular leaders have “cracked the code” of what real leadership is and all over, are looking to these secular leaders and “their” revealed secrets.

Thing is, a good number of these secular leaders, found these principles in their walk with the LORD and that is something that all are not aware. S. Truett Cathy, who founded Chick-fil-a is a devout Christian and even closed his businesses on Sunday’s to demonstrate that. Ken Blanchard, writer and professor, is very open with his faith. Stephen Covey, educator and writer, pulled directly from the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Notice the above paragraph theme, some of the most espoused secular leadership principles, have their grounding in the teachings of the LORD. These principles are widely used and carried out in the secular world and yet they come from the LORD (not here to discuss the merits of different religions). So the questions in the first paragraph are proven to be answered as yes, the principles of the secular leadership world will work in the church, as that is where they originated.

“⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

– Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Where are you getting your leadership principles? Are you leaning on the secular world’s writing and teaching? What if you went to the source and applied the Christian principles everywhere?

Leaders Not Personalities

Jesus warned of those who would come and lead away from Him.

“¹¹And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” – Matthew 24:11 (ESV)

The above verse is found in the passage titled, “Signs of the End of the Age.” in my ESV Bible. And it could not be more true. We are being bombarded by falsities that lead us away from the truth that is Jesus Christ. We are following those things that make us “feel” good as opposed to bring us joy.

My reading this morning is in discussion of leadership in the church and is pointed to the lack of it. The questions ask what leadership needs are there and why are there not more leaders. I think it has to do with a couple of things that are also pointed out in the reading. First, there seems to be a movement toward personalities and not leaders, and second, there is a lack of teaching leadership.

Let me start with the first, personalities. Think about those that influence in the world today. They are those that generate feelings toward themselves and not toward the truth. We have those cult “leaders” that generate a following as they claim to be something they are not and promise things that they cannot deliver. These are the ones that expect individuality to be put aside as blind follower-ship takes over based on the words of the one. And then we have those that generate a massive following through promotion and full control over all. I think of those like Joel Osteen and Ed Young who pastor and without them, nothing happens in the church that they are not privy to or have a hand in. It is not leadership, but their personality and control that dominate.

Second we have the lack of leadership teaching. I see this in the corporate world and it is true in the church as well. In the corporate world people are promoted based on their education and/or their accomplishments and not on the ability to lead. The top performers are given bigger roles and they are not “taught” how to do the next role, they are just expected to replicate their own results to those below them. As noted in my reading, that is also happening in seminary. There is only teaching of God’s Word in depth and little teaching on how to lead a church or congregation. The students are left to learn that on their own and frankly are missing the mark.

How is this fixed? The church needs to find and develop leaders. There is a Teacher who developed leaders to take over when He was gone. He spent three years being the example of leadership and guiding students as to what being a leader in the gospel was all about. Jesus led the apostles and His disciples to make more disciples, using all that He had taught them.

“¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” – Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

Who are you following? Are you leaning toward following of personalities? What if you were to look for those that follow themselves the example of leadership given by Christ?

Who and/or What to Follow

I have been studying leadership for a while, especially in the corporate world I work. I have wondered about the “leaders” that have been over me and the leader that I am. Yes, the quotation marks surrounding the word “leaders” is intentional as I do not believe that everyone in a position of overseeing a group or task is a leader. As I also believe that you do not have to be an overseer of people or tasks to be a leader.

This morning I have begun a new process or structure to my daily bible study. I am working through a series titled “MasterWork”. This series is from 2011, and where that may seem a bit ago, I went through the first lesson this morning and realized the value even today. There was reference to the speed of technology and the Information Age that we are currently right in the middle. The first section of this quarter’s (as the guide is structured into quarters) is on Spiritual Leadership.

The first question asked in the lesson is who are the leaders who have had an impact and why in my life. I gave this some thought and found a couple to men that helped to shape who I am. I gave some real thought to the who and you know, I am a bit embarrassed that I did not first think of the leader that we should all be shaped by, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. I first thought about man. Why did I not reference our LORD as the one leader who is the perfect example to emulate.

Now, I know that I am doing a bible study and writing in reference to following the Word of God. Shouldn’t I be also looking first to Him for the answers to questions. It was not until later in the reading that I found the better questions that led me to turn to God as the one true and complete one to serve as my example to follow, “But where does one begin? Which book does a leader read next? Which seminar is a must?” My answer, God’s Word.

Isn’t it true that we are always looking for the next gimmick or quick fix to things. We want things to be done with the wave of a few questions or actions to generate results. But, the truth is not in the quick fix, but in the slow and steady application of the proven approach. And where is that proven approach? Who derived the approach that stands the test of time? Why that is God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. The LORD has done it all and not just once but with many. There are so many from time that have followed the will of the LORD and been great leaders in their own right. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, David, Paul, and Peter to name just some were men who followed the LORD.

Now, were all those listed above perfect leaders. NO! But they were leaders that followed the direction or example of the LORD. Each of them had their faults and failures, yet ultimately are considered great men who led under the direction of the LORD. They followed the LORD and His direction, teachings, and/or example in leading during their time.

The same can be said of a more modern age of leaders. Whether Billy Graham or John Maxwell, these men and countless others follow(ed) the example, teaching, and/or direction of the LORD as their guiding principle to leading. So, who and/or what to follow, that would the LORD and His Word.

Where are you looking for your leadership example? Are you looking for the next quick guide? What if you looked to true, tested, work and example of our LORD and His Word?

The LORD is with Me Just as He was with Those Before Me

This morning I am reminded that the LORD is with me. Not just with me, but with me as He was with those that came before me. I am take back to the night that 3 men of the church came to the home of Lori and I. We sat in the living room talking and they conducted an interview of Lori and me for the role of deacon of the church. These men were deacons themselves and, of age, they were of a generation before me. Lori and I were taken aback at the thought of us being deacons for the church. We were not of a “right old age”. We did not see ourselves as spectacularly known members of the community. We were ordinary children of God doing the work He had for us when it was presented to us. But God had a plan for us.

“⁵No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” – Joshua 1:5 (ESV)

You see, God would be with us as He was with those who came to our home. God knew the status of our heart and that we were ready to begin His work in the church. And He knew that we were mature in Him even when we did not know it ourselves. He had prepared us for this time and was with us the whole time. The deacons before us were wise and tested. They were, in some cases the same men from when I was a bed baby in the church. I had learned from them and had demonstrated to them through my actions, that I and we were servants of the LORD. We were not doing so for our own gain, but for the good of the church.

The LORD was using Lori and I in ways that we were not even aware at the time. So the LORD made it so that we would be leaders in role and not just action for Him. He brought us to the role He had for us and at the time when was good for He, the church, and us. The LORD would be with us from before that time, during that time, and into today.

As for today, the LORD is still with us. Lori is the reliable servant in the children’s department at our church. I am now the generation before those in my discipleship group. We are those of before, demonstrating the LORD being with that the LORD will be with those who come after us.

It is quite something to see and experience that Lori and I are now those who are preparing those who come after us. Where I do not see us as being the mature brother and sister in Christ, I do see where those that come after us will look to us for guidance as they grow in Christ themselves. It is now our role to let them know that the LORD will be with them just as He is with us.

What are your thoughts on your station in the LORD? Are you wondering if the LORD is or will be with you? What if you took it upon you that the LORD will be with you just as He is/was with those that came before you?