Joseph: The Birth of a Dream
Issue #214, August 23, 2017 Josephs’ dream was born when he was a young man, 17 years old. Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the […]
Christmas: Servant Leaders Bow in Worship
Issue #197, December 21, 2016 A scripture verse usually inspires my thoughts on leadership. But this Christmas it was a picture that captured my attention. We often hear the story of the biblical Kings who came to worship. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down […]
Profiles in Bold Humility: Nehemiah
Issue #121, January 21, 2014 Why would a servant leader throw someone’s household possessions on the street? Ask Nehemiah! “I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room” (Nehemiah 13:8). This is not a picture of a weak passive leader. Nor is it an example of an angry dictator. Nehemiah […]
Wise Men Still Seek Him
Issue #46, December 15, 2010 Around the world Christians are again celebrating the birth of Jesus with special programs, giving of gifts and special foods. Leaders influence the focus of these celebrations and servant leaders can learn timeless truths by reflecting on the account of the visit of the Wise Men recorded by Matthew in […]
Leading with Joy
Issue #45, December 1, 2010 Paul was chained up in prison, struggling, not sure whether it would be better to live or die, and opposed by people determined to undermine his leadership. In this situation he wrote four chapters of inspiration summarized by one of his opening statements, “And because of this I rejoice. Yes, […]
When Time is Up
Issue #44, November 17, 2010 Perseverance is a great attribute of leadership and the apostle Paul is a great example of this attribute. But servant leaders also know when their time is up and they should change direction. Luke’s simple statement of his experience with Paul provides profound insights for servant leaders. “But when our […]
Leading to Please
Issue #43, November 3, 2010 All leaders aim to please. They will please their followers, their shareholders, their bosses, themselves, or someone else. The question is not whether we will please but who we will please. Jesus set the example for servant leaders when he said about His Father, “I always do what pleases him.” […]
Battlefield Leadership
Issue #42, October 20, 2010 Leadership Nuggets from Ephesians, #6 Fight. Conquer. Win. Now we’re talking leadership! After emphasizing the importance of knowing our identity, the power of prayer, and leadership from the bottom, Paul closes his book with a call to engage in the cosmic battle that is raging around us. But his reflections […]
Influence from the Bottom
Issue #41, October 6, 2010 Leadership Nuggets from Ephesians, #5 Servant leaders practice the art of influencing from the bottom rather than dictating from the top. It’s an upside down approach to leadership that goes directly against our flesh and against most of the models we have experienced. Influencing from the bottom is hard to […]
Gifted to Lead
Issue #40, September 22, 2010 Leadership Nuggets from Ephesians, #4 Servant leaders are uniquely gifted to lead in ways that produce results. Paul recognizes the power of leaders who use their gifts for God’s glory when he says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, […]