An Encouraging Word
Issue #15, September 24, 2009 The need for affirmation and encouragement is so vital to our existence that physician George Adams called encouragement “oxygen to the soul.” The leaders of a Jewish synagogue were so eager for encouragement that they told Barnabas and Paul, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, […]
Leading with Excellence
Issue #13, August 27, 2009 Servant leaders, like all great leaders, have a passion for excellence. However, their motive to lead with excellence is not simply for personal benefit or to increase financial revenue. Servant leaders lead with excellence because they have a passion to develop their own potential, to see others develop their potential […]
Leading with an Open Heart
Issue #12, August 14, 2009 All leaders influence followers, but only servant leaders open their hearts to those who follow. Paul, in an intimate letter to the Corinthian church said, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.” (2 Cor. 6:11) Paul’s statement reveals a deliberate action which he […]
More Money Matters
Issue #11, July 29, 2009 In the last issue we looked at what it means to not be a ‘lover of money.’ Now we’ll examine ways that servant leaders handle the money they have. Servant leaders handle money as stewards. Servant leaders recognize that God has given to them many things including their power of […]
Money Matters
Issue #10, July 8, 2009 Money matters to everyone. We all use money, need money and handle money every day. Our money is a powerful force in our lives and it is not surprising that the Bible has a lot to say about possessions and finances. The way a leader thinks about and handles money […]
“A lover of good”
Issue #9, June 19, 2009 A folk proverb says, “Bad news travels fast.” Pick up a newspaper or listen to the evening news and you’ll quickly recognize that people gravitate toward bad news. But Paul tells Titus that a Christ-like leader should be “a lover of good.” (Titus 1:8, MKJV*) What does it mean to […]
Servant Leaders Have the Home Field Advantage
Issue #8, June 5, 2009 If you ask me about my leadership I will quickly start talking about the organizations I’ve led, the number of people I’ve trained or the good work I’m doing through my job. But servant leadership doesn’t start on the job, it begins at home. Paul instructed Titus that a leader […]
Don’t tell me, show me!
Issue #5, April 24, 2009 Servant leaders influence others by modeling the way. Leadership is more about showing than it is about telling and those who model the way shape lives. Think of those we call ‘role models’ from the media or sports. Their actions influence millions, for good or for bad. Paul’s life is […]
Hospitality…serving others at home
Issue #4, April 9, 2009 We usually think of leadership as what we do with others outside our homes, in the church or in our work environment. But the list of leadership qualities Paul gives to Timothy says leaders “must be hospitable.” (Titus 1:8). Hospitality? It almost sounds like a foreign word! What does hosting […]
Leadership vs. Ministry
Issue #2, March 5, 2009 I met a guy walking in the park one day and we struck up a conversation. When he learned that I was a Christian he excitedly told me about his pastor. “He’s such a great guy. He’s such a perfectionist he won’t even let anyone else help with the bulletin.” […]