Matthew 5:14-You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Where is Christian leadership?Where are the God fearing fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters? As Christians we are leaders wherever we find ourselves. Christian leadership is so much needed in our society more than at any time in history.The world lacks godly leadership and is therefore imperative for christians to stand up and let their light shine out so that all men might see. As christians we are commanded to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.
How have we fallen short of this command and have become equally yoked with the world and our behaviour and character pattern is now modelled by the worldly standards, rather than by the Bible, our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E). We have all fallen short of this, and the first step, is we ought to acknowledge that we have erred, ask for forgiveness from our Heavenly father and go back to the original way of doing things, then can we make impact in our generation and leave a proper legacy for the children yet unborn, and hand over to them safely the unadulterated truth.
Who is a leader? Some of the common ideas that others include in leadership definitions include exerting influence, motivating and inspiring, helping others realize their potential, leading by example, selflessness and making a difference. For perspective, I have included several other common definitions :
Leadership Definition :
The Collins English Dictionary. leadership (n) 1. The position or function of a leader. 2. the period during which a person occupies the position of leader: during her leadership very little was achieved. 3. a. the ability to lead. b. (as modifier): leadership qualities. 4. the leaders as a group of a party, union, etc.This dictionary definition of leadership focuses on the position (singular or collective), tenure and ability of leaders. As such, it misses key points about the purpose and hallmarks of effective leadership.
Leadership by :
Dr. Martin King Jr.-The time is always right to do what is right.
Anne Frank -How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
John C Maxwell : In the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell sums up his definition of leadership as "leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less." This moves beyond the position defining the leader, to looking at the ability of the leader to influence others - both those who would consider themselves followers, and those outside that circle. Indirectly, it also builds in leadership character, since without maintaining integrity and trustworthiness, the capability to influence will disappear.
Warren Bennis : Warren Bennis' definition of leadership is focused much more on the individual capability of the leader : "Leadership is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues, and taking effective action to realize your own leadership potential."
Leadership Definition from Christian perspective -Is the process of influencing the behavior of other people toward a christlikeness in a way that fully respects their freedom.(1 cor 11:1-Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ).Paul instructed the corinthians to immitate him as he immitate christ. He says in Philipians 4:9 that "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice". And the God of peace will be with you. So clearly leadership is about a positive "ACTION". A positive action will always elicit a positive reaction in the followers or desciples.
Again the emphasis on respecting the freedom of followers or desciples is an important one, and one which must be the hallmark of Christian leadership. Jesus influenced many diverse people during his ministry but did not force people to follow Him.
Leadership Assessment
Therefore the question is: Are you are man or woman of your words? what do you say at the work place or wherever you find yourself and what do you do about your words? how do you behave infront of work colleages,family, church etc, and when no one is watching? Do you have a consistent character pattern?Can one put into action your life style?Can someone trust you or have belief in you? Is you life teaching others anything positive? Can your life change this generation and the next positively? I believe its time we assess ourselves individually and through prayer improve upon every area of weakness in our lives as christians so that we can be examples for the world.The Key is ACTION. The key is in the doing because faith without action is dead, and remember a positive action will result in a positive reaction in people around us. Action and reaction are always equal and opposite. You either Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way! Do something about your leadership skills today!Act Now!
Let your light shine before men and may the God of peace be with you!!
Comments from you: Are you a leader or a coward? How is your life affecting your family and friends?What verses or insights stand out to you in this reading? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless
Enim
Leadership Definition :
The Collins English Dictionary. leadership (n) 1. The position or function of a leader. 2. the period during which a person occupies the position of leader: during her leadership very little was achieved. 3. a. the ability to lead. b. (as modifier): leadership qualities. 4. the leaders as a group of a party, union, etc.This dictionary definition of leadership focuses on the position (singular or collective), tenure and ability of leaders. As such, it misses key points about the purpose and hallmarks of effective leadership.
Leadership by :
Dr. Martin King Jr.-The time is always right to do what is right.
Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mother Teresa-Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.
Donald H. McGannon-Leadership is action, not position.
Robert F. Kennedy-Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope... and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
Mahatma Ghandi-You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Anne Frank -How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
Norman B. Rice-Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light.
Peter Drucker : The forward to the Drucker Foundation's "The Leader of the Future" sums up leadership : "The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers." To gain followers requires influence (see John Maxwell's definition below) but doesn't exclude the lack of integrity in achieving this. Indeed, it can be argued that several of the world's greatest leaders have lacked integrity and have adopted values that would not be shared by many people today.
John C Maxwell : In the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell sums up his definition of leadership as "leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less." This moves beyond the position defining the leader, to looking at the ability of the leader to influence others - both those who would consider themselves followers, and those outside that circle. Indirectly, it also builds in leadership character, since without maintaining integrity and trustworthiness, the capability to influence will disappear.
Warren Bennis : Warren Bennis' definition of leadership is focused much more on the individual capability of the leader : "Leadership is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues, and taking effective action to realize your own leadership potential."
Leadership Definition from Christian perspective -Is the process of influencing the behavior of other people toward a christlikeness in a way that fully respects their freedom.(1 cor 11:1-Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ).Paul instructed the corinthians to immitate him as he immitate christ. He says in Philipians 4:9 that "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice". And the God of peace will be with you. So clearly leadership is about a positive "ACTION". A positive action will always elicit a positive reaction in the followers or desciples.
Again the emphasis on respecting the freedom of followers or desciples is an important one, and one which must be the hallmark of Christian leadership. Jesus influenced many diverse people during his ministry but did not force people to follow Him.
Leadership Assessment
Therefore the question is: Are you are man or woman of your words? what do you say at the work place or wherever you find yourself and what do you do about your words? how do you behave infront of work colleages,family, church etc, and when no one is watching? Do you have a consistent character pattern?Can one put into action your life style?Can someone trust you or have belief in you? Is you life teaching others anything positive? Can your life change this generation and the next positively? I believe its time we assess ourselves individually and through prayer improve upon every area of weakness in our lives as christians so that we can be examples for the world.The Key is ACTION. The key is in the doing because faith without action is dead, and remember a positive action will result in a positive reaction in people around us. Action and reaction are always equal and opposite. You either Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way! Do something about your leadership skills today!Act Now!
Let your light shine before men and may the God of peace be with you!!
Comments from you: Are you a leader or a coward? How is your life affecting your family and friends?What verses or insights stand out to you in this reading? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless
Enim
