Leadership Is ... Missional #328
Laurie D. Kennedy M.A. (Servant Leadership)
Leadership Coach, Author of 'Leadership Is ... Devotions for Servant Leaders, Leadership Is Serving with Integrity (Amazon.ca)
“Give me ten men that hate nothing but sin and love nothing but God and we will change the world.” (John Wesley)
Some people consider the church to be like a hospital where sick people come to get heathy. Others consider the church to be a place where we meet, care for each other, socialize and learn doctrine. You and I, and the church we attend has a significant role in advancing the Gospel by developing leaders.
What if we all agreed our mission was to reach our community and world for Christ?
Assuming our role is to reach our world for Christ, our first step is obviously our personal relationship with Christ. Then, as we demonstrate God’s love in our neighborhood and community, we can develop leaders locally, as we demonstrate God’s love and train leaders.
Let’s look briefly at God’s plan for Moses and Joshua. They led upwards of a million people through phenomenal challenges as they followed God.
Further, as God said to Joshua. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” (Joshua 1:5-6 NIV)
Jethro says to Moses, “Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” (Exodus 18:20-21 NIV)
Developing leaders is an individual, team, and organizational development process. Dreaming a worldwide movement is awesome, but not practical until we start with the first step. As he guided Moses and Joshua, he will guide us. As individuals whether you work by the hour serving, supervising others, or as an entrepreneur or business executive, we all influence others. Hence, you are a leader.
As I coach leaders in person and on line our first step is always a healthy personal relationship. Then, and only then we can talk strategy. God had a plan for Biblical leaders and he has a plan for each of you.
The reality of accomplishing any great purpose is we as leaders need to ensure all our prayer, activities and values, work consistently together for God and his purpose.
Leadership is … demonstrating God’s love today.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach