Time for a Test

We have now taken a brief look at the meaning of Christian leadership, the stages of leadership development and the character qualities needed for a truly effective leader. Now we can take a look at where you are in the process of really becoming a leader. I'm including a series of 10 'test' questions to help you evaluate yourself. This is a difficult test so please leave at least 20 minutes to think through your answers and write a short evaluation paragraph at the end. I pray that it will be useful for you as God continues shaping your life and making you the real leader that He wants you to be!

We are preparing for class #3 "Intimacy with God". So please take the test before our next class which will be in Janary. Here is the link: leadership test

Prep for class 3: Read and meditate on this passage: Ephesians 3:16-19 and be ready to share what spiritual Truth this reveals. We will also look at what intimacy with God really is and how it impacts our image of Him and of how we can really serve Him.

(source: "Portrait of a Leader", bk 1, pp 93-106)

Essential Qualities of a Leader

There are four essential qualities of a leader: Character, Perspective, Courage and Favor. We see clearly that many leaders lack at least one of these qualities, which really impacts their effectiveness. Even in the Bible one of these qualities was missing in most cases. You might be able to pick out which quality was lacking in the life of Peter or Pilate or Joshua or Samson.

But there are certain things we can do to allow God to build those qualities in us. You can see the PowerPoint presentation on this topic which outlines some suggestions for development here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pkKYw5w7kHcJeOF7hlvgk1CkVz0lK45vAAFl_l55ZNU/edit?usp=sharing
Here are some more suggestions...

Help them take calculated risks. Talk it over with them, but let them do it. Your primary job is to prepare your child for how the world really works.

Discuss how they must learn to make choices. They must prepare to both win and lose, not get all they want and to face the consequences of their decisions.

Share your own “risky” experiences from your teen years. Interpret them. Because we’re not the only influence on these kids, we must be the best influence.

Instead of tangible rewards, how about spending some time together? Be careful you aren’t teaching them that emotions can be healed by a trip to the mall.

Choose a positive risk taking option and launch kids into it (i.e. sports, jobs, etc). It may take a push but get them used to trying out new opportunities.

Don’t let your guilt get in the way of leading well. Your job is not to make yourself feel good by giving kids what makes them or you feel better when you give it.

Don’t reward basics that life requires. If your relationship is based on material rewards, kids will experience neither intrinsic motivation nor unconditional love.

Affirm smart risk-taking and hard work wisely. Help them see the advantage of both of these, and that stepping out a comfort zone usually pays off.

- See more at: http://growingleaders.com/blog/3-mistakes-we-make-leading-kids/#sthash.Skbeuoge.dpuf

Help them take calculated risks. Talk it over with them, but let them do it. Your primary job is to prepare your child for how the world really works.

Discuss how they must learn to make choices. They must prepare to both win and lose, not get all they want and to face the consequences of their decisions.

Share your own “risky” experiences from your teen years. Interpret them. Because we’re not the only influence on these kids, we must be the best influence.

Instead of tangible rewards, how about spending some time together? Be careful you aren’t teaching them that emotions can be healed by a trip to the mall.

Choose a positive risk taking option and launch kids into it (i.e. sports, jobs, etc). It may take a push but get them used to trying out new opportunities.

Don’t let your guilt get in the way of leading well. Your job is not to make yourself feel good by giving kids what makes them or you feel better when you give it.

Don’t reward basics that life requires. If your relationship is based on material rewards, kids will experience neither intrinsic motivation nor unconditional love.

Affirm smart risk-taking and hard work wisely. Help them see the advantage of both of these, and that stepping out a comfort zone usually pays off.

- See more at: http://growingleaders.com/blog/3-mistakes-we-make-leading-kids/#sthash.Skbeuoge.dpuf

Help them take calculated risks. Talk it over with them, but let them do it. Your primary job is to prepare your child for how the world really works.

Discuss how they must learn to make choices. They must prepare to both win and lose, not get all they want and to face the consequences of their decisions.

Share your own “risky” experiences from your teen years. Interpret them. Because we’re not the only influence on these kids, we must be the best influence.

Instead of tangible rewards, how about spending some time together? Be careful you aren’t teaching them that emotions can be healed by a trip to the mall.

Choose a positive risk taking option and launch kids into it (i.e. sports, jobs, etc). It may take a push but get them used to trying out new opportunities.

Don’t let your guilt get in the way of leading well. Your job is not to make yourself feel good by giving kids what makes them or you feel better when you give it.

Don’t reward basics that life requires. If your relationship is based on material rewards, kids will experience neither intrinsic motivation nor unconditional love.

Affirm smart risk-taking and hard work wisely. Help them see the advantage of both of these, and that stepping out a comfort zone usually pays off.

- See more at: http://growingleaders.com/blog/3-mistakes-we-make-leading-kids/#sthash.Skbeuoge.dpuf

1. Take calculated risks - learn to balance the risk with the advantages.
2. Learn to make good choices - and be responsible for the choices you make!
3. Share your positive risk taking experiences with others and learn from them too.
4. Remind yourself that your accomplishments are due to God's grace and your hard work, not because you are any better than anyone else.

Here are useful definitions for each one:
Character enables the leader to do what is right... even when it is difficult.
Perspective enables the leader to see and understand what must happen to reach the goal.
Courage enables the leader to initiate and calculate the risk to step out towards a goal.
Favor enables the leader to attract and empower others to join in the cause.

Review the four primary qualities of effective, healthy leadership. Do you exhibit these qualities in your life and leadership? As a leader. which of the four qualities of healthy, effective leadership are you strongest in? In which are you weakest? How will you grow in your area of weakness? Write down specifically what you will do to enhance the quality that most needs developing in your life.
(Source: Portrait of a Leader, bk 1, pp 17-30)

Why should I answer God's call to lead?

There are many reasons to answer God's call. The first might be very clear to you if you think about the events of world history and then look around at our society today... We are the connection to the next generation of Christians! Every generation is responsible to reach the next generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

from: http://teachersjourneytolife.blogspot.com

We know that Christianity has been a huge movement that has impacted billions with the blessings of modern society. Most of the advances in science, medicine, social work, music, education, government and many other areas of study are based on the premise that there is an absolute Truth and an order to our universe because of our Creator God. Even many of the most notable advances in these areas were made by people who understood this premise of Truth and acted out of Christian love. God has made our universe for a purpose and we have the capacity to discover the laws of nature and understand how things work - there is no randomness or purposeless activity in God's Creation. We also see that Christianity focuses on the dignity of human life, whether you are female, from another race, unborn, poor, sick, old or disabled, each person has value and potential for a meaningful and fulfilling life. Of course this has not always been practiced, but it is the reality of Biblical teaching and Jesus teaching, life and death in payment for our sin.
As Christianity spread through Europe, Europe became the center of faith and the base for spreading the Gospel to the rest of the world. America took its turn and now east Asia, even with countries dominated by Communism and religious persecution, is the center of the missionary movement. How can this be? Because the real Truth of the Gospel is a living hope and freedom that brings dignity and purpose to human life. God has shown His love to us in the giving of His Son in our place to restore an eternal relationship with those who previously rejected Him. (See Ephesians 2!)

So even though Europe had been the center of Christianity, it eventually became spiritually dead and did not teach grace or forgiveness but a social conformity to religious rules. So we see the result of that in modern society: knowledge without wisdom, good deeds without love, things without thankfulness, health without happiness, leaders without values, ethics without morality, social programs without sacrifice, relationship without commitment, even religion without Jesus!

But true Christianity does exist and it does not depend on us; it depends on the reality of God and His gift in Jesus Christ! God will use people to be a part of His plan to reach everyone but I must choose to be a part of it. I want to answer His call to live in such a way that others can understand His love and want a restored relationship with Him. We must become students of Christian leadership because there is a world we must lead to the foot of the cross of Jesus.

How God Calls a Leader

Many times we see great leaders and we wonder how they became great. Leaders do not become great leaders overnight. There is a long process and often a calling from God that enables them to become who they are. Let's think for a moment about the concept of "calling".

In the late 1800's, a group of young job seekers congregated in the waiting room of a telegraph hiring agency. Each job prospect who was waiting for an interview was engulfed in reading, chatting and munching... except one young man. Through all the commotion he heard a message tapped out in code, "If you hear this message come through the office door." With ears perked up, the man understood the invitation being offered. So the young man walked through the office door. A few minutes later he returned to the waiting room, grinned and told the other job seekers, "You can all go home, I just got the job."

Like the prophet Isaiah, this young man heard the general call that went out to everyone in the waiting room and responded to it, making it his call. He listened. He understood. He acted. He got results.

God is calling every Christian to stand up and lead. Have you heard His call? What is He calling us to do specifically? We can see many example of God's calling in Scripture: the Apostle Paul, Queen Esther, Jeremiah, Joseph; which type of call did they receive and why was it appropriate for them? How is God's calling appropriate for you in your situation? Please comment below!

Blessings in Disguise

Making the Best Out of a Bad Situation 
(adapted from a devotional by Bryant Wright, from Right from the Heart)
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. — John 16:33

A call to follow Christ does not mean that things will get easier for us but we will need to look at things from a new perspective. Of course there are many examples of people who have faced trials but did not give up. 

Reverend Henry (in the late 1600's) was walking to his home in London when he was robbed by two men who attacked him in an alley. After arriving home, he wrote in his diary: 

I thank Thee, first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my belongings, they did not take my life; third, although they took everything I had, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed.

This is a valuable perspective which challenges us to see setbacks and challenges as blessings, not as failures. Another interesting example is Winston Churchill, who inspired England and its allies as he declared, “We shall never surrender!” during England’s darkest days. Yet as World War II ended, his country unceremoniously dumped him as its prime minister. Attempting to comfort him, his wife declared that this rejection might actually be a blessing in disguise. “If it is,” he replied, “then it is certainly very well disguised.”

Despite this humbling rejection, Churchill went on with his life. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his six-volume history of World War II and served another term as prime minister and many years as the elder statesman of the free world.

Jesus warned that “in [this] world, you will have tribulation.” You will face many rejections, roadblocks, and even landmines in your life. Sometimes God allows us to face these challenges to teach, test, or even redirect us. Learn to view these hardships as opportunities to make yourself stronger. You just might discover that Mrs. Churchill was right! It could be a blessing in disguise.

What has happened in your life that you might call "a blessing in disguise"? How can God use what others might call a failure to be a source of blessing for you and others? Answering these questions might be the key to understanding how God can use you for His glory.

At what stage of leadership development am I?

Reflecting on Session 1...

Time to Reflect on Who God has made me; these are the areas I have had little or no control over (Providential Beginnings)...

1. How is God’s providence evident in my personal history?
2. How has this made me different and special?
3. What might this point to in regard to my potential and purpose?

Time to Reflect on the next 2 stages: Character Formation, Service and Application...

1. Where in my life have I focused on doing before being?
2. What negative patterns have resulted from that?
3. How can I reverse those patterns and allow God to shape WHO I AM?
4. What is God’s view of maturity?
5. Am I willing to go that far?
6. What phase am I in?
7. What is hindering my growth right now?
8. What do I have to do to get to the next step?

These questions are quite personal but maybe there are some ideas that could be shared with others here. Think about some general concepts that you learned from our discussion but be sure to take time to really answer these questions for yourself. 

I have updated the link to the session recording (Dec). Click the link, install the web browser plugin (if needed) and you can view the session without downloading to your computer: session1.wrf

What is a Leader?

What is a leader? There are many definitions but really a leader is someone who has influence over others because of their position or their responsibility. This can be positive influence or negative influence. Their effectiveness as a leader depends both on who they are and how the interact with others. For most people, their effectiveness as a leader must be developed over the course of many years - there are very few 'natural leaders'. Though we may not be good leaders today or have much influence, God is calling each of us to be leaders who represent God's standards and accomplish His purposes in our families, schools, churches, communities and even sometimes in very important business or political settings.

In order to become a leader, you must develop in three areas:

1. Character - who am I?
2. Skills - what do I do and how do I work?
3. Vision - how do I know what God wants from me and from those whom I lead?

This is a process that we will discuss over the next months.

Before our first class, please take time to read and think through these things before we meet...

1. Read this article on "What makes a Great Leader". Is this the type of leader you want to be? Or do you want to be something else? What is a great leader? Then identify 2 great leaders and think about how they have influenced your life.

2. Think about how God is shaping you in these areas (we will discuss together):

• Your Personality
• Your Testimony
• Your Teachability
• Your Moral Character
• Your attitude and emotions (how you respond in different situations)

Spiritual Formation

The next 2 stages of leadership development are where most young people find themselves: Character and Spiritual Formation, Service and Application. First we need to understand that BEING the person God wants us to be is much more important the DOING the things that demonstrate quality Christian leadership. If we allow God to shape our character through an intimate relationship with Him, we will eventually become much more effective in our service to Him.
God's objectives here are:

1. Intimacy - How close do I live to God and how much do I really depend on Him?
2. Discernment - What is really important to God and how does that shape my values?
3. Lordship - Is obeying God's Word always first in my decision making process?
4. Security - Do I trust God to accomplish what He wants in me no matter the personal cost?
5. Identity - Am I more concerned about others and their opinion of me or what God says about me?
6. Convictions and disciplines - Based on how I spend my time and money, what are the things I consider most valuable? 

AFTER we develop in each of these areas, God has begun to shape us into a person that He can use. The next stage is called "Service and Application". We are now able to serve because we understand what God values and are able to depend on Him for the perspective, wisdom and strength to do what may otherwise be impossible. Evaluate yourself and talk though your evaluation with a parent, youth leader or mentor. Note the areas you still need to grow in and develop a plan for growth.

(source: "Portrait of a Leader", bk 1, pp 61-78) 

Providential Beginnings

In our first session together, we looked at the first 3 stages of becoming a leader: 1) Providential Beginnings, 2) Character Formation, and 3) Service and Application. The first stage is quite interesting because we have very little control over who invests in our lives during the first 8 - 12 years of life. God places us in situations and families who influence us in tremendous ways. Some of these situations are very difficult and some are not. But what God wants to do, in His providence, is shape us into people that He can use and prepare us for very special tasks, even sometimes giving us a vision for our life that directs our future.
Take a look at the life of Wess Stafford, president of Compassion Ministries: http://www.faithtalks.com/posts/wess-stafford/ His life is a beautiful example of how God shapes a person from early life to prepare them for something great.

Take 20 minutes to think and write on these questions:

1. How is God's providence evident in my personal history?
2. How has this made me different and special?
3. What might this point to in regard to my potential and purpose?

God want to do great things in you and through you. The first step is understanding the things that are out of our control and being thankful for the uniqueness of who you are as a result of those providential circumstances.

Questions

Where are our students spiritually? What is their current relationship with Christ?

Do they realize that they cannot grow spiritually unless they get their eyes off of themselves and begin to see the needs of those around them and how God will meet those needs through their willingness to serve/lead?

These questions might be first steps in developing young leaders. Does anyone have ideas as to how we can move students from "contented Christians" to "Christ-like servants"? This is often the difficulty with adult Christians as well. I at times become so complacent in "being good" that I forget to "do good" and, therefore, never really grow! It's easy to depend on pastors and teachers to chew my spiritual food for me so it will go down easier and never get my hands dirty with real life and other people's problems. How do we create an atmosphere for real spiritual growth within our schools? How can we build true concern for others into our lives? What are we already doing that is alowing God to demonstrate His love through us?

Some things we are experimenting with right now at ECA involve students leading outreach ministries to children in our neighborhood (kids clubs), students helping to teach English in various settings with children and adults, students planning and leading a youth group (ministry to peers after school), pairing students with adults to work on specific tasks together with the goal of passing the responsibility to the student, and even elementary students involved in a club called "Random Acts of Kindness".

Thoughts from SLC 2006

As we were working in groups during the second workshop on Friday, I came up with some ideas based on our discussion. What our students really need to be able to do is to learn to lead in unfamiliar situations. Young people growing up in our quickly changing societies will need to adapt quickly and that demands an exceptional ability to perceive the needs, spiritual and physical/emotional/social, of those around them. They will also need to be able to unite and empower others to meet those needs. So, a possible purpose statement might read:

"Discipling students as they learn to lead in unfamiliar settings, perceiving the needs of their community, while uniting and empowering a team to meet those needs in a manner the reflects the grace of God."

Two keys to this process that came out are giving students "ownership" of meaningful activities and working one-to-one with students in mentoring relationships to develop specific spiritual disciplines and servant/leadership skills.

Welcome!

Welcome to our Student Leadership Development Community!
At the 2006 ACSI Student Leadership Conference in Budapest, it became clear that we need to do more in planning, training, and providing opportunities for leadership among our students here in the Christian schools of Europe. This page is a start in that direction. We want to create a network which shares ideas and resources and which challenges us to walk with our students as God gives them a vision for ministry in their own communities.
These are the questions we are working on together:

• Where are our students spiritually?
• What are their current opportunities for ministry?
• How are we walking with them in mentoring relationships?
• How are we challenging them to grow in Christ-like-leadership that will impact their world?

We also want to explore how leadership programs might look in each of our schools using questions like these:

• What is the purpose of our school leadership program?
• What do we want our students to be and to be able to do in and after high school?
• What is the dream or vision that God is giving students for their potential impact for Christ in their communities?