Ezekiel’s prophetic leadership spanned several years. Multiple years. Years of living a message and speaking a message to deaf ears. Years of a “trust” from the Lord, a trust that was obviously important in the Lord’s plan. But they were years full of heartache, full of loss and nothing like the success we anticipate and long to see. How does a leader continue to stay… Read more »
The work continues! Along the way to significant leadership and our destiny, we have a few tests to pass. One is our willingness to hear the Word of the Lord and to obey, even when it is painful, even when it is humbling, even when it is embarrassing, even when it is a sacrifice and costly. Without passing this test, no leader is ready… Read more »
The inner work of a leader is often elusive. The inner work includes patterns that will feed and fuel the leader’s soul. Learning to be disciplined in reflective prayer, learning to sit with scripture; not to produce a lesson, but to invite the Lord to shape the heart and soul are essential. Years seeded with hours upon hours of alone prayer and reflective reading catalyzes a… Read more »
The inner work is the most significant work of any leader. Learning to lead ourselves is a precursor to leading others. Learning to discern what is going on in our own souls is essential to understanding the hearts of others. This inner work may be described in a few sentences, but it will take a lifetime of focus. This inner work will include… Read more »
The inner work of the leader is the most challenging and the most essential. As a leader, you will be targeted by the enemy. You must know your Achilles heel! You must know where the enemy will likely come after you. You must do the hard work of reflecting upon your past and asking for the Lord to do work there that will protect… Read more »
Holy and Healthy – those two are connected. Emotional health powers spiritual holiness. When leaders are not emotionally healthy, under stress, angry, hurt, in need of support – the enemy lurks. We are created human; a mystery full of wonder as the scripture declares. Being holy is far more than doing or not doing things. It is about patterns of worship, intake of the Presence… Read more »
Here’s a vital point: Leaders will often find themselves in moments and even seasons of conflict. How we lead through the conflict can accelerate our leadership or limit our future! On a scale of 1-10 how effective are you at leading through conflict? What are some skills you use to navigate hot moments? When you think of conflict, what are… Read more »
Cultures (and generations) collide, as we know so well. Perhaps the clearest evidence of this in the church is in the arena of music. Music is, at the heart, an expression of culture. That could give us insight into why when the music is changed or rejected, people experience loss and even feel criticized. Cultures collide, but they also connect,… Read more »
Esther was beautiful. Everyone could see that. Eventually Esther becomes queen. No surprise there either. Truth is, beauty opens doors. It’s just the way life works, the way it always seems to be – or so it seems. People with beauty get unusual breaks, options, and possibilities that others never experience. Beauty opens doors the same as does athletic power,… Read more »
“What if I’m not the leader?” That was the question asked by a leader in a newer setting. Conflict was evident, and the leader was aware that people were not “following.” Sometimes what leaders mean by having others to follow is that he or she (the leader) has all power and others must simply respond with “yes” to any request or… Read more »