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 […]
Nehemiah: Visions Encounter Opposition
Issue #85, July 4, 2012 The wall was going up brick by brick and the vision was beginning to become a reality. But it wasn’t long before opposition surfaced. When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. (Nehemiah 4:1) Sanballat is soon joined by his friend Tobiah […]
Nehemiah: Vision is birthed in prayer
Issue #76, February 29, 2012 The first response of Nehemiah to the desperate needs of his city was prayer. “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4). His heart was deeply stirred by the report from Jerusalem […]
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 […]
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 […]
Moses: Face Down Leadership
Issue #58, June 15, 2011 Servant leaders recognize that they stand in the gap between God and those they lead. In the last issue we observed that Moses led by being in God’s presence. A significant part of his time in God’s presence was spent on his face interceding on behalf of the people. The […]
Moses: Dealing with Discontent
Issue #55, May 4, 2011 Three days after the exuberant celebration of victory over Pharaoh’s army, Moses faces a huge leadership challenge. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” (Exodus 15:24) A few weeks later, more challenges: In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. (Ex. 16:2) […]
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 […]
Knee Power
Issue #39, September 8, 2010 Leadership Nuggets from Ephesians, #3 Leaders recognize and often seek power. Paul, in Eph. 3:14-21, prayed for power, but a very different kind of power than we often look for in leadership. He recognized that servant leaders operate with knee power. He opened his prayer with these words, “For this […]