The Point of Leadership — After attending a very informative, thought provoking, and inspirational leadership conference at Saddleback Church I wanted to share a few insights.

Considering our current state of leadership there is no doubt all of us have at one point or another ask, maybe not in such a pointed way…but what is the point of leadership? In Genesis 20, Abraham refused to follow God’s promptings when he mislead Abimelech king of Gerar into believing Sarah was his sister instead of his wife. Then later in Genesis 22: 1- 19, God offered Abraham another opportunity to hear His words when he asked Abraham to offer his son up as a sacrifice, here Abraham complied. These are brought to mind to help us understand that we all have an opportunity to listen to the spirit of leadership or refuse it.

In Number 33: 2-4, we read where God said “the map of leadership I have carefully laid before you”;

At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages:  The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians, who were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them; for the Lord had brought judgment on their gods.

Taking into account our leadership values in the face of today’s political correct society, how do we manage the conflict that arises within us from the obvious erosion of leadership values? I think it is imperative to keep in mind that when it comes to leadership values…we cannot give away (or teach) that which we do not possess!

We have a new generation (NextGen) “watching” us to see how we demonstrate those values and virtues that convict us. Where do they, “NextGen” go to gain the understanding and wisdom necessary to navigate today’s complex society? They as well as us the baby boomers are tethered to our electronic devices and are subjected to all manner of information whether it be right or wrong. One very important question is, are we being “intentional” in our relationships with the NextGen to nurture and mentor them? Are we valiant enough in our skill sets that we will march out defiantly in full view of those watching eyes and confront those who oppose and oppress us?

The point of leadership should be to stage our life in such a manner that NextGen itself will reach, train, and send new leaders that are so well equipped they are able to be reproductive from day one! What are we doing with a responsibility so great, and what are our expectations if we do nothing?

As for me, I want to intentionally point NextGen toward a safe entrance, i,e, “on ramp” to the freeway of life, and offer them sound leadership values while they are in the acceleration lane gaining momentum to becoming the best equipped leaders of their time. We as leaders must come to an understanding and accept the challenge knowing that the greatest transformational movement in leadership begins in individual people! The values and virtues offered here come from hundreds of years of experience and some of their roots can be found in;

“Who is like the wise?
Who knows the explanation of things?
A person’s wisdom brightens their face
and changes its hard appearance”.
Ecclesiastes 8:1,

Points to ponder:

• Heavenly wisdom will make a man an incomparable man. No man without grace, though he be learned, or noble, or rich, is to be compared with a man that has true grace and is therefore accepted of God.
• It makes a person with wisdom useful among his neighbors and very serviceable to them,
• Who but the wise man knows the interpretation of anything, that is, understands the times and the events of them, and their critical junctures of our daily lives.

It should be the greatest desire of ALL men and women to seek the wisdom of God in all matters!

Remember this should be the “intentional point” of leadership!

Photo credit: Foter.com / Public Domain Mark 1.0
Photo credit: Foter.com / Public domain
Photo credit: News Oresund / Foter.com / CC BY