David: Leading with an Act of Kindness
Issue #144, December 10, 2014 Kings are usually known for their acts of bravery and courage, the pomp and splendor of their wealth, and their use or abuse of their absolute authority. But the story of David’s relationship with Mephibosheth paints an amazing story of a king leading with kindness. The account in 2 Samuel […]
David: Leading from Position
Issue #140, October 15, 2014 All that we have already observed about David’s leadership happened before he had any position! His early life illustrates that leadership is not defined by position. But now, at 30 years of age, David begins to rule as king, first over a portion of the nation and finally over a […]
David: Choosing Friends
Issue #136, August 20, 2014 We have already recognized David’s skill as a shepherd, his heart as a faithful worshipper and his clarity of purpose in life. Yet, as an emerging leader David was alone. His family didn’t believe in him and only Samuel seemed to have a sense of what God was preparing to […]
Lead with your Ears: The Basics of Listening
Issue #129, May 14, 2014 Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear (James 1:19, The Message). We have looked at several aspects of what it means to lead with our ears, now we’ll focus on how servant leaders can become better listeners. Jesus instructed, “Therefore […]
Lead with Your Ears: The Benefits of Listening
Issue #127, April 16, 2014 My tongue has gotten me in plenty of trouble, but my ears? Never! If only I would learn to follow James’ counsel, Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear (James 1:19, The Message). Not surprisingly, the first recorded action of […]
Quality Assurance: Good Reputation with Outsiders
Issue #111, August 7, 2013 Paul ends his list of qualifications for servant leaders as he tells Timothy, “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap” (1 Timothy 3:7). Paul’s instruction implies that the true test of our leadership capacity is […]
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: Hospitable
Issue #103, April 9, 2013 The next instruction Paul gives young Timothy about the type of leaders who are worthy to be called servant leaders is "hospitable" (1 Timothy 3:2). To be hospitable is to be friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests. What in the world does what happens at home have to do […]
Quality Assurance: Husband of One Wife
Issue #99, February 11, 2013 After the general quality “above reproach” Paul quickly focuses his checklist on an area that deeply impacts all servant leaders who are called to be, “the husband of but one wife” (1Timothy 3:2) At first glance most of us who are married would go ahead and mark this requirement as […]
Leading by Association
Issue #74, February 1, 2012 “You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.” This quote by Charlie “Tremendous” Jones is one of my favorites and speaks to servant leaders about the influence of those with whom we associate to impact our lives. […]