If you’re going to be a leader, it’s my opinion that second thoughts are your enemy. Make a plan, follow the plan through until the end.”
–Robert Peecher (Four Days Outside of Del Norte)
“Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”
“Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”
–Psalm 25:5 (NKJV)
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Leadership, what is it? There are many thoughts, many books have been written on the subject. Look at the current “leadership” of the United States. Is that really leadership? When I taught my apologetics class I always included a unit on “Leadership.” We must understand that we are all involved in it in one form or another. When I was a sergeant, I was a leader, but not in the same role or capacity as the captain. I think most people think they are followers, but in reality they have sometimes, in some cases, been in the role of leadership. We all to a certain extent influence others. Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 gives some clues as to what leadership it.
“Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed.”
–Ecclesiastes 8:1 (NKJV)
First of all, a leader must have a clear mind. He must be able to see all aspects of a situation. “Interpretation” means to see the whole picture. Literally it means, “solution, someone who sees through the mystery of something.” The person who knows how will usually have a job, working for the one who knows why. Remember, action cannot outrun thinking! A clear mind is a must! Someone has said that “a mist in the pulpit puts a fog in the pew.” Are you clearly being taught the unadulterated word of God? Is your mind clear or cluttered and able to hear properly?
Notice also the aspect of a cheerful disposition. Eisenhower said that a leader keeps his tears for his pillow. His face must show something different: optimism, joy, hope, etc. The leader must realize that life is more than a burden and convey that thought to those who follow him. People are looking for hope, for cheer and as Helmut Thielecke said, “A church is in a bad way when it banishes laughter from the sanctuary and leaves it to the cabaret, the nightclub, and the toastmaster.” However, that being said, the pulpit is not the place of entertainment, but a place of hope, of direction in a dreary world.
Three other things seen in verses 1-9 are: a discreet mouth–the leader cannot be frivolous with his talk. Their voice and words set the tone of an organization. They need to be tactful with what they say. Tact–the speaking of truth giving the least possible offense. Second, there must be keen judgment. There should be no manipulation. To have proper judgment there should be knowledge. The good leader will know the proper time to do what ought to be done. Third, the leader must have a humble spirit. It is hard, in fact, it is impossible to change another’s spirit; that must come from God. The leader must always let God maintain control.
One more thought–LIFE. Winston Churchill made the statement, “It is a riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma.” No matter what lane you get in on the highway, especially during construction, it always slows down. Why when making a sandwich, and for some reason you drop it in the midst of making it will it always fall facedown? We need to realize that as we travel this journey of life there will be many things we cannot explain. For example, try to explain the Incarnation, or the Resurrection, or the concept of the Atonement. How? Why? Remember God’s wisdom in not academic, and no one, that includes the greatest of theologians and preachers, can be an authority on the mysteries of God. The words of A.W. Tozer are true, “The idea of God as infinitely wise is at the root of all truth… Being what He is without regard to creatures, God is, of course, unaffected by our opinions of Him.”
————————————–
Leadership, what is it? There are many thoughts, many books have been written on the subject. Look at the current “leadership” of the United States. Is that really leadership? When I taught my apologetics class I always included a unit on “Leadership.” We must understand that we are all involved in it in one form or another. When I was a sergeant, I was a leader, but not in the same role or capacity as the captain. I think most people think they are followers, but in reality they have sometimes, in some cases, been in the role of leadership. We all to a certain extent influence others. Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 gives some clues as to what leadership it.
“Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed.”
–Ecclesiastes 8:1 (NKJV)
First of all, a leader must have a clear mind. He must be able to see all aspects of a situation. “Interpretation” means to see the whole picture. Literally it means, “solution, someone who sees through the mystery of something.” The person who knows how will usually have a job, working for the one who knows why. Remember, action cannot outrun thinking! A clear mind is a must! Someone has said that “a mist in the pulpit puts a fog in the pew.” Are you clearly being taught the unadulterated word of God? Is your mind clear or cluttered and able to hear properly?
Notice also the aspect of a cheerful disposition. Eisenhower said that a leader keeps his tears for his pillow. His face must show something different: optimism, joy, hope, etc. The leader must realize that life is more than a burden and convey that thought to those who follow him. People are looking for hope, for cheer and as Helmut Thielecke said, “A church is in a bad way when it banishes laughter from the sanctuary and leaves it to the cabaret, the nightclub, and the toastmaster.” However, that being said, the pulpit is not the place of entertainment, but a place of hope, of direction in a dreary world.
Three other things seen in verses 1-9 are: a discreet mouth–the leader cannot be frivolous with his talk. Their voice and words set the tone of an organization. They need to be tactful with what they say. Tact–the speaking of truth giving the least possible offense. Second, there must be keen judgment. There should be no manipulation. To have proper judgment there should be knowledge. The good leader will know the proper time to do what ought to be done. Third, the leader must have a humble spirit. It is hard, in fact, it is impossible to change another’s spirit; that must come from God. The leader must always let God maintain control.
One more thought–LIFE. Winston Churchill made the statement, “It is a riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma.” No matter what lane you get in on the highway, especially during construction, it always slows down. Why when making a sandwich, and for some reason you drop it in the midst of making it will it always fall facedown? We need to realize that as we travel this journey of life there will be many things we cannot explain. For example, try to explain the Incarnation, or the Resurrection, or the concept of the Atonement. How? Why? Remember God’s wisdom in not academic, and no one, that includes the greatest of theologians and preachers, can be an authority on the mysteries of God. The words of A.W. Tozer are true, “The idea of God as infinitely wise is at the root of all truth… Being what He is without regard to creatures, God is, of course, unaffected by our opinions of Him.”