Few things need wisdom like trying to divide an inheritance among siblings! Joshua faced this on a national scale as he led the Israelites through the process of dividing up the land into tribal portions.  Joshua employed wisdom in this potentially explosive moment and offers serving leaders practical wisdom for navigating divisive situations.

⁴ Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me. ⁵ You are to divide the land into seven parts. Judah is to remain in its territory on the south and the tribes of Joseph in their territory on the north. ⁶ After you have written descriptions of the seven parts of the land, bring them here to me and I will cast lots for you in the presence of the Lord our God (Joshua 18:4-6, NIV).

Joshua employed wisdom by involving everyone.

Joshua instructed the people, “Appoint three men from each tribe.” He involved the people in selecting the leaders who would divide the land into parts. Every tribe had equal representation. Every man carried with him the mandate to get the best portion for their tribe! Joshua wisely created a process in which no one was excluded.

Some leaders face divisive issues and make decisions using their own experience and expertise. But serving leaders recognize that divisive issues require inclusive practices. They wisely pull key people into the decision-making process, ensuring that all voices will be heard.

Joshua employed wisdom by delegating authority.

Joshua gave authority to the men who were chosen, “you are to divide….” Their work was to survey the remaining land and divide it into portions that were equal in value. Undoubtedly, as they traveled through the land they were carefully observing what areas had fertile soil, good pastureland, and fortified cities. Every man was carefully looking at what they wanted but also aware that another tribe might get it, so they chose carefully.  In addition, Joshua selected three people to ensure broader representation and that there would not be a tie vote. By wisely delegating the process, Joshua ensured that no one could accuse him of favoritism.

Some leaders fear that the delegation of authority in a divisive issue will create more problems so they delegate less. But serving leaders wisely find ways to delegate authority that creates better outcomes and group support for the process.

Joshua employed wisdom by retaining decision-making power.

While Joshua involved everyone in choosing the leaders and delegated authority to the leaders in dividing the land, he took charge of the final step in the process. “I will cast lots for you….” Under God’s guidance, he would make the final decisions. He recognized that even with the careful process of dividing the land into 7 portions, if he allowed the leaders to choose, there would be more dispute over who received which portion.

Some leaders abdicate their ultimate responsibility to make final decisions and allow others to selfishly influence the outcomes. But serving leaders recognize that after involving people appropriately, they are responsible for making the decision that best serves the vision and mission of the organization. Then, like Joshua, they employ wisdom from God and decide. 

 Serving leaders employ wisdom to turn potential division into unity. 

For further reflection and discussion:

• Reflect on a leadership decision which you are currently facing that is potentially divisive. With that situation in mind, reflect on the three ways Joshua used wisdom (he involved everyone, he delegated authority, and he retained decision-making power). What can you learn from his example and what will you do to lead with wisdom through this situation?

Reflect on Joshua’s decision to allow the leaders to divide the land into 7 portions. What might have happened if Joshua had divided the land without their involvement? What can you learn from this about delegating authority? 

In addition to these reflections from Joshua’s life, consider the following verses from Proverbs that relate to employing wisdom in divisive issues.  Proverbs 6:16-19; 13:10; 15:1, 18; 16:23-24, 28; 17:14; 18:6, 17; 19:11; 29:22.        

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how Joshua used wisdom in casting vision. 

A shepherd is the most common biblical image of leadership. Shepherds are tasked with the responsibility to guide and protect the flock under their care which is a great picture of leadership. Yet, not all shepherds (leaders) lead as true shepherds. Consider Ezekiel’s words:

¹The word of the LORD came to me: ²“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? ³You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. ⁴You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. ⁵So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. ⁶My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them (Ezekiel 34:1-6, NIV).

Ezekiel spoke for God and delivered His rebuke to the leaders of the nation. In doing so he revealed different ways shepherds can lead.

Shepherds see leadership either to benefit self or others.  

The accusation against these leaders was that they were using the flock to care for their own needs. “Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?” The leaders were enjoying the meat, the wool, and the milk from the flock. God does not say that these things should not be enjoyed, but when the focus of the leaders was only on themselves it was wrong. Instead, they should have been focused on strengthening the weak and taking care of the sick and injured. God rebukes them because they “have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost.”  If they would have strengthened the flock, they could have enjoyed a good lamb dinner. But when they focused on the dinner, they destroyed the flock.  

Some leaders are continually focused on how they will benefit from their position but serving leaders use their position for the benefit of others.  Some leaders ask “What’s in it for me?” but serving leaders say, “I’m in it for you!”

Shepherds use leadership either to display their own power or empower others.

Another accusation God makes is, “You have ruled them harshly and brutally.”  These shepherds abused their power and used it to rule harshly. They showed no concern for the well-being of the sheep. Many leaders use their leadership role to let everyone know who’s the boss! They see care and compassion as signs of weakness instead of strength. But serving leaders are in power to empower. They use their authority to give authority to others. They show genuine care for those they lead.

Shepherds demonstrate leadership that scatters or unites others.

 God describes the impact of the poor leadership on His people, “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd,…”  Without adequate leadership, the sheep were lost and started wandering to other places. They looked elsewhere for direction and guidance and ultimately scattered. Some leaders use their power to “divide and conquer” people.  They allow and encourage mistrust, petty gossip and division, believing that they will be more powerful when others are divided. But serving leaders use power to bring people together in ways that unite them. They believe strength comes from strong teams united around a common vision and goal.

As a leader, you are like a shepherd. What kind of shepherd will you choose to be?

For further reflection and discussion:

• What benefits do I enjoy as a leader? (List everything you think about, tangible and intangible items.) Then reflect on these questions:
  • Do I lead because of these benefits or do I lead because of what I can do for others?
  • Do the benefits I receive cause me to focus more on my own needs and desires than on those of the people I lead?
• How do I use the power I have? How quickly do I share power with others? What is the result in my leadership? (Reflect on a leadership action you took in the past week as you answer these questions.)
• Do I lead most naturally with the mentality of “divide and conquer” or “our unity is our strength”? What have I done in the past week to demonstrate this?  
• Read the rest of this chapter (34) in Ezekiel and look for additional insights into the impact poor leaders have on others.         

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how leaders follow.

A second ingredient in a world that flourishes is that diversity is affirmed. God created a world that was beautiful and flourishing…and diverse!

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27, NIV)

From the beginning God created all people in His image giving them immense worth. All were created in God’s image; but not all were created identical. “Male and female he created them.”  God’s creation was built with diversity and in His design flourishing happens when this diversity is affirmed.  

Affirming diversity accelerates flourishing by acknowledging the intent.

God created them “male and female.” What was His intent? Why didn’t God simply duplicate the man? Why did He instead create a different person and at the same time, a distinct gender? Take a moment to imagine a world filled with only men. Now imagine a world with only women. What would these worlds be like? It doesn’t take an advanced degree to realize that either option would not lead to flourishing! God built differences into His design to help us realize that we are not complete as individuals. The unique value of each individual could not be fully expressed if every person were the same. Diversity is needed. God built diversity into His universe so that we recognize our need for others. This is part of the reason that all humans long for community and relationships with others. When we enter into relationships with others we more fully reflect God’s image and our diversity produces a flourishing world. Serving leaders affirm God’s design for diversity and acknowledge that they will not be complete alone.

 Affirming diversity accelerates flourishing by anticipating the impact.

Our world is filled with diversity, but we often let differences divide rather than complement. We allow differences to become points of tension and conflict instead of strengths. Wars are fought between different tribes and nations. People more often fight over their differences than celebrate them. Different groups fight for their rights. Different personalities stir up division and separation instead of cooperation and unity. But serving leaders look to God’s design and imagine a world in which diversity is affirmed. They dream of homes where both men and women are equally valued and appreciated. They envision organizations where healthy teams bring their diversity to the table and join hands to work together to accomplish much more, much better and much more quickly than individual efforts could produce. And serving leaders dream of this flourishing cascading from one family to the next, from one church to the next and from one business to the next.

Affirming diversity accelerates flourishing by accepting the implications.

Serving leaders recognize that action is needed for diversity to be affirmed. They don’t simply tolerate diversity; they welcome it! They first acknowledge their own need for others. They understand that there are no well rounded leaders, but there are well rounded teams. So they invite others to their team who are complementary but very different. They work hard to affirm and appreciate the unique perspectives and contributions of each individual. They focus on the unique strengths each person brings to their team and serve by helping them find the right place for those gifts to be expressed. Serving leaders create a flourishing world around them by affirming diversity.

For further reflection and discussion:

How has the intent of affirming diversity been distorted in your context? Reflect specifically about the thinking in this area in your culture, your family, and in the organization where you lead. What impact has this thinking had on you as a leader? In what ways do you need to adjust your thinking to align with God’s intent?

Reflect on what the impact would be if everyone in your organization would fully grasp and live out what it means to affirm diversity. Write at least three reflections.

What action steps will you take as a leader to affirm diversity in your home, organization or community? Choose which of these areas you will focus on and then list 2 or 3 specific steps you will take and dates for when you will take the actions.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at another ingredient of a flourishing world: Work is Purposeful

Leaders are often forced to navigate different sides on many divisive issues of our time. We live in a world that takes sides on political persuasions, social views, health issues, economic perspectives, and many more. The sides chosen by a leader deeply impact their own leadership and those who follow. When a leader chooses a wrong side, they may quickly be sidelined! How does a serving leader decide which side to take? Joshua had an encounter with a man that provides help for serving leaders choosing sides.  

¹³ Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” ¹⁴ “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” ¹⁵ The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13–15).

Joshua was leading God’s people into their first battle. It was a crucial time. Success at this point would greatly boost his reputation while a failure would be devastating. He wanted to make sure his side would win! When he meets the man with the sword, likely an angel, Joshua asks a natural question, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”  What does his encounter teach serving leaders?

Serving leaders acknowledge their own side.

Joshua saw the situation from his side. He wanted to know if this man was for him or against him. “Are you for us or for our enemies?” But in the encounter, he realizes that there is another side which he has not considered. Serving leaders acknowledge their own bias to think in terms of sides. They recognize they see the world with the question, “Do you support my vision or my competitors?” But from Joshua, serving leaders learn the need to stop and recognize that there are other sides!    

 Serving leaders accept God’s side.

Joshua must have been shocked with the man’s response, “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” This response completely changed the conversation and reframed the question. It was no longer, Joshua’s question changed from “Who is on my side?” to “Am I on the right side?” God calls serving leaders to change their vantage point, not right and wrong, but about who is in charge. God’s agenda is above ouragenda. His side is often not found in either side of our loud debates. Serving leaders do not compromise truth but they acknowledge that their own view is limited and may not be as close to God’s as they previously thought! Serving leaders don’t dismiss their vision, they just submit that vision to a higher purpose. They accept that their role is not to convince people to join their side, but to rally everyone to God’s side. Serving leaders recognize they can’t win the battle for sides until they get themselves on God’s side.

Serving leaders adjust to a new side.

Joshua fell facedown! He would go back to the same people and continue to lead them into battle at Jericho. But his perspective has changed. He recognizes that he is leading on God’s side, not asking God to be on his side. He would still command, but as one under authority. He would no longer call people to “his side”, instead he would invite all to join him on God’s side. Serving leaders adjust their leadership to acknowledge that God is not on their side; they are on God’s side. They humbly ask God for His direction on the divisive issues facing them and learn that the sides are not so much about ‘us’ and ‘them’ if they focus on Him!

For further reflection and discussion:

• What situation am I currently facing in my leadership that is divisive or in which people take opposing sides? Consider that issue as you work through the following questions.
• In what ways do I naturally see the different “sides” only from my side? What have I done in the past week that illustrates this? How could I get a more balanced view of the ‘other’ side?
• In this situation, how do I assume that God is on my side? What difference does this make in how I lead? What if I asked God if He was on my side on this issue and He responded, “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”?  How might that shape the way I respond? Do I fear that truth will be compromised or can I trust that God knows truth better than I?
• What does it mean for my leadership for me to ‘fall on my face’ on this issue? When I get back up, how will my leadership be different?  

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we will begin looking at the life of Boaz.

Leaders pursue their goals with intensity and focus on their objectives. But effective leaders also know what to avoid. The Bible provides many instructions for servant leaders to ‘avoid,’ ‘run away from’ or ‘stay away!’ As I evaluated these instructions I found most of them centered around two categories: people and temptations. We’ll examine the art of avoiding temptation in our next issue; for now let’s think about the art of avoiding people!

All leaders are in the people business and relationships are a key ingredient to success. At the same time, leaders recognize that the people with whom they associate can influence them either positively or negatively. Servant leaders take seriously the caution of scripture about who to avoid.

Avoid people who talk too much.

The writer of Proverbs says it very clearly; A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. When words are many, sin is not absent. (Proverbs 20:19 and 10:19) Paul adds, Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (2 Timothy 2:16) Does this remind you of anyone you know?

Avoid people who argue.

Paul warns Titus about people who take pleasure in arguments. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (Titus 3:9) Leaders are problem solvers and healthy debate is to be encouraged. But some persons are more interested in the debate than the solution. They are more focused on winning arguments than building the organization. Avoid them!

Avoid people who are divisive.

So much contemporary talk is divisive that we easily become used to it! Church leaders speak negatively about other denominations with different perspectives; staff in organizations can easily criticize the competition. Politicians sometimes deliberately stir up feelings of animosity between opposing groups of people hoping for personal benefit. This is not a new challenge for leaders. Years ago Paul cautioned, I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. (Romans 16:17-18)

Avoid people who are hot-tempered!

Those who are quick to become angry make dangerous friends. Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs 22:24-25) Servant leaders practice self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, and avoid angry friends.

Servant leaders do not avoid these relationships out of hatred. But they acknowledge that when possible, their choice of relationships will impact their own ability to lead. They recognize that part of self-discipline is learning the art of avoiding those who will lead them in the wrong direction. They make every effort to be people who are the opposite: with controlled speech, avoiding useless debates, bringing people together instead of driving them apart and keeping their emotions under control. And whenever possible, they avoid those heading in the opposite direction!

For further reflection and discussion:

• Before looking at your friends, look at yourself! Do you talk or argue too much, divide rather than unite, or quickly lose your temper? If so, what does this indicate about your heart? What steps can you take to allow God to begin to change you?
• Reflect on your closest circle of friends, the ones you choose to be with when you have time. Are they friends who build you up or tear you down? Are they helping you fulfill God’s purposes for your life? Are any changes needed?
• Where you have relationships with negative persons which are unavoidable, what steps can you take to guard yourself against negative influences?