David and Absalom: Success
In this final reflection on the contrast between the leadership of David and Absalom, we’ll look at how they viewed and measured success. All leaders long for success and either consciously or unknowingly ask themselves, “Am I successful as a leader?” David and Absalom answered that question in very different ways. David sought God for […]
David and Absalom: Intimacy
David is a servant leader that we admire in many ways. He is known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). And David led well. “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them” (Psalms 78:72).But David’s son Absalom provides a very different picture of leadership. Absalom was […]
Joseph: The Fulfillment of the Dream
Issue #221, November 29, 2017 The fulfillment of Joseph’s dream is one of the most dramatic and emotional stories in the Bible. After their first visit, Joseph sends nine of his brothers back home and keeps one in prison. Joseph’s father does not want them to return to Egypt but the famine finally forces action. […]
Jacob: Leading with a Limp
Issue #206, May 3, 2017 We often think the best leaders are strong and powerful, walking with bold confidence in their abilities and working hard for success. Jacob walked like this for many years and in the previous issue, we saw how he limped towards leadership. But as Jacob fled from his father-in-law to return […]
John the Baptist: Dealing with Doubt
Issue #182, June 1, 2016 We don’t expect strong leaders to have doubts. We expect them to have answers and great faith. But John the Baptist, the greatest prophet up to that time, had a period in which he wrestled with his faith in Jesus. John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two […]
John the Baptist: Quiet Influence
Issue #181, May 18, 2016 John the Baptist, if he were leading today, would not likely win any awards for success. His leadership did not last long, many of his key leaders left him to follow another, and the crowds at his events were declining when he was arrested and finally killed. But Jesus said […]
John the Baptist: Increasing Humility
Issue #179, April 20, 2016 John was a great leader and highly esteemed not only by his followers but by Jesus Himself. But his greatness was marked by increasing humility. He was able to humbly release his disciples, humbly point people to Jesus, and finally lay down his own life for the cause. His humility […]
John the Baptist: Releasing Leaders
Issue #178, April 6, 2016 John the Baptist did a great job of calling and empowering a team around him. But his true greatness as a servant leader is found in the way he released leaders. Many leaders are able to raise teams; few are willing to release them! But John released his team. The […]
Position and Privilege
Issue #173, January 27, 2016 What challenges did you face when you were 16 years old? Most 16-year olds are more concerned about finishing High School or learning to drive a car than leadership. But in Israel, 16-year old Uzziah became king soon after his father, the previous king, was killed. Two words summarize his […]
A Couple of Servant Leaders: Mary and Joseph – Part 2
Issue #171, December 23, 2015 This Christmas we are looking at Mary and Joseph, both great servant leaders and together one of the most influential couples in history. In this issue we’ll turn our attention to Mary, the better known of the two and the one often mentioned first. In Luke 1:26-56 the story of […]