How Do You Spell Leadership? #6

Respect.

Even when there is a disagreement over a matter of judgment, a leader must be able to disagree without being "disagreeable." We find an example of this with Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:39. They had a sharp contention over whether or not they should take Mark on the next trip. They decided to go on separate trips. However, we later find Paul asking for Mark by name and saying he was profitable to him for the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).

Respect must exist for there to be genuine concern for others. The leader must be friendly and practice hospitality. These will go a long way to helping one to be respectful to others.

Another Wedding!

Our daughter, Dianne, will be getting married Friday, November 16, in Wichita, Kansas. I may not be able to make another post for a few days. When we get back I will have some wedding pictures for the blog. We will see you then!

How Do You Spell Leadership? #5

Encourage!

The ability to encourage others is a fundamental part of leadership. This encouragement takes different forms according to the need that must be met. Notice, for example, 1 Thessalonians 5:14. "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men" (KJV). Here we find that the unruly need to be warned, the feebleminded need to be comforted, the weak need to be supported, and leaders must be patient toward all men.

A boss can force someone to work with threats. However, a leader can make a person work because they want to . They come to appreciate and enjoy the work. I once read a story about how General Eisenhower would tell his officers to push a string which was on the table before them. Of course, the string would just pile up in front of them. Yet, when he told them to pull the string, it straightened out and followed along behind their hands. At this moment, Eisenhower would make his point about leading others. The ability to encourage others is a powerful part of the art of leadership.

Doniphan Give Away Day

Saturday, November 3rd, we had a clothing Give Away Day in Doniphan. Everyone who came was able to pick through all the clothes that had been donated for the event, and take them for free. In addition, we gave them a color brochure about the church and they could pick through several tracts written by Allen Webster for House to House/Heart to Heart. Someone told us that this "give away" was helping them get Christmas presents for their children. I want to thank everyone who helped make this day so successful.

How Do You Spell Leadership #4

Delegate Without Ignoring Responsibilities.

Do you remember when Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, saw how Moses was trying to judge every matter for all the people of Israel (Exodus 18:13-22)? Jethro said, "So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, 'The thing that you do is not good...'" It was because one man could not do what Moses was trying to do. It was not fair to Moses or the people. Jethro gave Moses some advice. It can be summed up in one word -- DELEGATE! When the work load is spread around, so much more can be accomplished. Furthermore, that same work can be done more efficiently and effectively.

On the other hand, a leader must not ignore or neglect his responsibility. It is not good for the church or the people involved when elders expect preachers to shepherd the flock. It is not right for elders to not allow and/or expect deacons to do their jobs. Deacons can also be allowed to make some decisions within stated parameters.

Jethro's advice to Moses in Exodus 18 shows us that the art of delegating involves using a certain kind of people (21). It also demands organization and job descriptions (21). Finally, delegating means we must let them do their job (22).

Anthony Flew Converts to Theism

Back in the 1970's, Dr. Anthony Flew debated brother Thomas B. Warren on the existence of God. Flew has now come out stating that he believes in God. Click here to read more about it . He has also written a book on the subject entitled "There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind." The book can be found online. At this point Flew considers himself a Deist, but he continues to study.

How Do You Spell Leadership #3

Leaders Must Be Authoritative Without Being Authoritarian.

Plato thought philosophers should rule the world. In his book "The Prince," Machiavelli said about the same thing. Even Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, had similar views concerning government.

An authoritarian believes decisions are to be made by one man or group of men presumed to know better than others what ought to be done. Yet, we must remember that no man rules the Church. We are under a monarchy. Christ is our King, and no one has the right to make his own rules or to change what the Lord has already decided.

Elders have delegated authority to rule and make decisions in matters of judgement. In other words, their job is to expedite God's law. God has already made the decisions in matters of faith. Therefore, elders do have authority, but they must always guard against becoming authoritarian.