Profiles in Bold Humility: Paul
Issue #123, February 19, 2014 Confrontation is one of the most difficult and painful tasks of leadership and Paul didn’t like confrontation any better than we do. But when he recognized Peter’s hypocrisy Paul didn’t hold back. When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong […]
Profiles in Bold Humility: Peter
Issue #122, February 5, 2014 The first message preached by Peter was confrontational and courageous and brought him into immediate conflict with the authorities. After his case was heard he left the court and gathered together with other believers and prayed, Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with […]
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 […]
Profiles in Bold Humility: Daniel, and Company
Issue #120, December 11, 2013 Not many of us live and work in the presence of the president or top leader in our nation. In this environment, the pressure to conform is enormous and it takes tremendous boldness to take a stand. But, Daniel and his three friends demonstrate that boldness with humility is possible […]
Profiles in Bold Humility: Esther
Issue #119, November 27, 2013 Esther has all the qualities of a movie heroine. She was the beautiful first lady in the empire of King Xerxes, a position filled with glamor and prestige. Her rise from an orphan in exile to this position of power has captivated readers for centuries. But behind the amazing story […]
Profiles in Bold Humility: Moses
Issue #118, November 13, 2013 Humility is often seen as a sign of weakness. But Moses is an example of a servant leader who demonstrates that humility can be bold. He is described as “more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). At the same time he was a bold […]
Profiles in Bold Humility: Joseph
Issue #117, October 29, 2013 What should servant leaders be, bold or humble? We are called to both as we already observed from Jesus who used whips and washbasins in his leadership. In this issue we will reflect on the life of Joseph who also demonstrated a balance between boldness and humility especially in the […]
Profiles in Bold Humility: Jesus
Issue #116, October 16, 2013 Following Jesus’ example of servant leadership is often a paradox. One time Jesus boldly picked up a whip and drove the money changers out of the temple. Then, on another occasion, He humbly washed the feet of His disciples. So what are we to do, wash feet or use a […]
Quality Assurance: Not Violent but Gentle
Issue #106, May 22, 2013 Paul next turns his attention to a heart issue of great importance to all leaders, “not violent but gentle.” (1Tim 3:3) In that short phrase, Paul radically redefines what it means to lead. Most cultures honor military heroes, warriors who destroy all opposition by force and we honor those who […]
Moses: Serving Those Who Won’t Follow
Issue #60, July 13, 2011 The grumbling of the people right after the Red Sea crossing soon turned vicious. First, Moses’ brother and sister who brought him out of the water as an infant complained about Moses’ wife. Then, after the spies brought back their negative report the entire community grumbled and threatened to choose […]