Redirecting Our Focus…

We are all molded by the events of the past, whether teaching, experience, or influence. Each of these take on both a positive and negative trait.

Paul’s family heritage, academic credentials, knowledge of scripture, and zealous attack against the church left a mark he did not forget from his past.

However, he did not allow the past to dictate the direction of his future. Paul had a new spiritual focus.

Leaders must learn from the past in order to prevent repeating areas that hinder our Christian influence.

The challenges of yesterday are past. We need to redirect our attention toward a spiritual future.

Wise Leaders…

Wisdom is defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Practically speaking, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.

One of the most notable illustrations of leadership wisdom is found in King Solomon. The request of Solomon was a discerning heart to rule God’s people. This does not mean that Solomon was without faults, but God granted his request.

Leaders should ask God for wisdom. He gives generously to those who ask in faith.

The wisdom from God possesses specific qualities described as pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy (Jas. 3:17).

Leading a Movement…

A movement exists when individual experience, or passion, takes on a life of its own within a diverse array of individuals, and grouping in such a way that it sustains and reproduces itself toward a common end.

The following characteristics are critical to a movement’s success.

First, movements come together to achieve a common goal.
Second, personal, structural and ideological ties hold them together
Third, committed members use existing and significant social relationships to recruit others.
Fourth, an identity-transforming experience brings about a lifestyle change.
Fifth, overall unity in such a diverse collection requires a common ideology.
Sixth, opposition is part of the glue that holds this diverse collection together.

The Leadership Experience…

“Leaders aren’t built by just jumping in and figuring it out––they’re built through constant input and feedback from an experienced leader.” Mac Lake

When we understand that leaders make leaders, this thought makes perfect sense. However, for many, the approach to leadership is based on the SOS model, the idea that if you throw someone into the deep end of leadership, they either “sink or swim.” The other approach is the YO-YO model, “You are on your own.” 

Great leaders develop when they receive input, guidance, and feedback from experienced leaders. This mentoring gives future leaders opportunity to grow properly.

Leadership on the Battlefield…

“Leaders aren’t built in a classroom––they are built on the battlefield of the mission.” Mac Lake

This is one of the best and most profound thoughts in the book. Don’t misunderstand the point, we can all learn a great deal in the classroom, whether through reading or the instruction provided by experienced leaders.

However, on the battlefield of the mission is where leaders “cut their teeth.” Here, they develop the skills and experience that develops them into the leaders God wants and desires. While these are hard lessons to learn, they have a strong and lasting impact. As we will see, these lessons are not learned alone.