David and Absalom: Influence
Issue #229, April 4, 2018 Leadership is all about influencing others. But there are different ways that influence is used by leaders. David and Absalom both had influence; people followed them. However, the way they gained and used influence shows the contrast between servant leaders and subversive* leaders. David won the hearts of people; Absalom […]
Joseph: The Testing of a Dream
Issue #216, September 20, 2017 The 17-year-old Joseph traveled to Egypt as a slave and his dream for leadership seemed dead. The next 13 years of Joseph’s life were painful and difficult. First, he was sold as a slave and served in Potiphar’s house. Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian […]
John the Baptist: Preparing to Lead
Issue #174, February 10, 2016 John the Baptist is not the center of attention in the gospels. John’s leadership lasted only a few years and he was killed just as Jesus’ ministry was gaining momentum. But John’s role was so crucial that Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there […]
A Couple of Servant Leaders: Mary and Joseph
Issue #170, December 9, 2015 As we enter the Christmas season let’s look at one of the most influential couples in history, Mary and Joseph. Both were great servant leaders and as a couple they were powerfully used of God to shape our world. In this issue, we’ll look at Joseph and how he led […]
David: Leading at Home
Issue #148, February 4, 2015 David’s life is in so many ways, an example of a great leader. He was successful in national building and expansion. He united the kingdom and established Jerusalem as capital city and a focal point of worship and commerce for the nation. But the final chapters of his life paint […]
David: Empowered by the Spirit
Issue #133, July 9, 2014 We have observed David as a young man developing the heart of a shepherd and learning to base his significance on his relationship with God instead of other things. At this point in his leadership journey, he had little idea of what God wanted to do with his life, but […]
Quality Assurance: Manages Family Well
Issue #109, July 8, 2013 Paul has already listed 11 challenging items for Timothy to consider when looking at the quality of leaders. He is near to the end of his list and shifts his attention to something obviously close to his heart. “He must manage his own family well and see that his children […]
Quality Assurance: Above Reproach
Issue #98, January 30, 2013 Every manufacturing business is concerned with the quality of their product because they recognize that substandard products will hurt their reputation and ultimately destroy their business. So they invest large amounts of time and money in quality assurance programs to protect their profit. Christian leaders should be even more concerned […]
Nehemiah: Vision is based on Character
Issue #75, February 15, 2012 With this issue we begin a series of reflections on the life of Nehemiah, a great servant leader with strengths in many areas. We will focus on one aspect of his leadership which every leader needs: vision. Nehemiah lived in exile, born and raised in the Persian empire where he […]
Tame that Tongue: Understand the Power
Issue #68, November 2, 2011 The strongest muscle in a leader’s body is the tongue. With our words we can build or destroy, create friends or enemies. Our words can encourage or discourage; they can speak truth or lies; they can bring peace or tension. Our words can cut like a knife, or heal like […]