Seven Building Blocks for Leaders
Christian leaders with character continue to be in demand. Ezekiel recorded God’s plea for leaders who would “stand in the gap before Me for the land,” but, tragically, He “found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30).
Resource Library
Browse
Leadership
Vision, integrity, articulation, courage, and a thick skin—all are the basic requirements for leadership. Other requirements could be added; for the follower of Christ, godliness is essential. Whether in government, business, education, ministry, or the home, these six traits form the foundation of successful Christian leadership. These qualities do not come through osmosis but through disciplined study and practice, often marked by failure. However, the greatest leaders are not deterred by hardship and failure. Theirs is a high calling with deep responsibility.
If you are in a position of leadership—and chances are good that you are—you may need to sharpen your vision for the future, strengthen your integrity, and find new sources of courage. Insight for Living, by introducing you to godly leaders of the past, is committed to encouraging you in this pursuit, as well as challenging you to grow in godliness.
Beyond the Broadcast: Operation Intimidation
Nehemiah’s discernment helped him frustrate the plots of his adversaries. In the same way, God-given discernment can help us face intimidating circumstances in our own realms of leadership.
Discerning When to Follow People or Not
How do we discern when to become a follower of someone or not? Is it OK to be a Swindollist or a MacArthurite today? Here’s what the Bible says, “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there” (Psalm 146:3).
Character: It’s Been Buried Long Enough
Call me old-fashioned or idealistic if you wish, but my passionate plea is that we unearth and restore the importance of character. It’s been buried long enough. It belongs first on our list when searching for employees in the workplace.
Seven Building Blocks for Leaders
In the book of Nehemiah, I found seven essential skills that today’s Christian leaders can use as stones on which to build their own strategy for leadership.
God Is Faithful
When God scans the earth for potential leaders, He is not on a search for angels in the flesh. He is certainly not looking for perfect people. He is searching for men and women like you and me, mere people made up of flesh, bone, and blood.
Gideon and Conquering Insecurity
When God selects His leaders He wants people who will not take the glory that belongs to Him alone. This is why He will often put us in seemingly impossible situations, so that when the victory is achieved no one can say that it was anything but God’s doing.
Moses and Saying “No”
Every leader or would-be leader must ask and answer the question, “What am I going to do with my life?” Regardless of how one answers this question, at some point one will have to say “no” in order to pursue their life calling.
Servant-Hearted Leaders
Our acute need is to cultivate a willingness to learn and to remain teachable. How beautiful it is to find a servant-hearted, teachable spirit among those who occupy high-profile positions of authority.
Barnabas and Encouragement
Good leaders will say, “Stay at it!” Ever notice how motivated and strengthened you feel when you have people who come alongside and let you know they want you to succeed? And the result? “Many people were brought to the Lord.”
