David: Displaying a Life Purpose
Issue #135, August 6, 2014 The story of David and Goliath is a classic story which many of us learned in childhood. The stones and slingshot David used paint a memorable picture of overcoming insurmountable obstacles. But the story is much more than an epic battle; it displayed David’s life purpose. Notice his words to […]
Strong Leaders + Willing Followers = Great Results
Issue #125, March 19, 2014 Deborah led Israel during a difficult time in their history, a time of suffering and oppression. But under her leadership God’s people were set free from Jabin, the king who ruled over them. When the victory was complete Deborah composed a song that offers great insight for servant leaders. “When […]
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 […]
Passing the Baton: Why it’s Difficult
Issue #113, September 4, 2013 Whether it means turning the church over to a young leader, handing over the reins of a family business to the next generation, or releasing our children to be adults, the task of passing on the baton is difficult. Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will […]
Act Like Paul: Inspire a Shared Vision
Issue #91, September 26, 2012 Leaders are people who see and have the ability to stir passion and action from others with a shared picture of the future. Servant leaders inspire groups to move towards God’s ideal for the future. They see the vision and share it with others. Because of this the Old Testament […]
Nehemiah: Visions Produce Celebration!
Issue #88, August 15, 2012 The wall was finished. Some leaders would quickly move to the next vision. But for Nehemiah it was time to celebrate. At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs […]
Nehemiah: Visions Build People
Issue #87, August 1, 2012 The people clapped and celebrated, a wall was in place! The dream had become a reality, and a wall had been built. But Nehemiah’s vision did more than build a wall; like all servant leaders he built the people who worked to accomplish the vision. At the end of the […]
Nehemiah: Visions Require Time
Issue #86, July 18, 2012 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. (Nehemiah 6:15) In less than two months’ time the wall was complete. The recording of this time is significant not only in the fact that it happened quickly but in the reality that it took time before […]
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: Visions Require Work
Issue #84, June 20, 2012 So far Nehemiah’s leadership has been mostly thinking, dreaming and talking. All of this was necessary but the vision was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s vision was developed and communicated to the people with one objective, to motivate them to work on the wall. Walls are built of […]