Category: Leadership

Enduring and Moving

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At times it is necessary to move. When the status quo is against God’s plan, the status quo must be left behind. Of course, it feels comfortable to stay with what is familiar, for – as disappointing as the familiar can be – at least we know we are surviving there. Exiting a place or circumstance with which we are accustomed can potentially be scary. Only one thing is to be feared more – God’s displeasure.

When Moses left Egypt, he had worldly reason to fear the king. The powerful pharaoh would not be pleased with this Hebrew’s renunciation of Egypt. Even though Moses was a Hebrew by blood, he had grown up in and been educated by this mighty nation. Though he had benefitted greatly from Egypt’s riches, he now felt called by His God to leave. Yes, it had been God’s will for Moses to be in the heart of Egypt, for we know he was found by the pharaoh’s daughter on the Nile River in that basket of reeds his mother had so prayerfully prepared and sent. And now, it was also God’s will for Moses to exit – in preparation for the furthering of God’s kingdom. God may put us places, and then carefully draw us away . . . all for the best of His kingdom.

The Hebrews were enslaved to the Egyptians, and Moses could no longer stand idly by and watch God’s people be wrongly mistreated. He felt God tug on His heart to become part of God’s next move on behalf of His beloved Hebrews. However, becoming part of God’s plan would require Moses to now “endure ill-treatment with the people of God [rather] than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25, NASB). On the one side stands ill treatment, and on the other stands sin’s temporary pleasure and ease. To leave Egypt now will mean Moses’ life will become difficult. He will be persecuted by the enemy. He will give up riches and ease and familiarity. Wisely, Moses takes the long-term view. He understands that ill treatment now is infinitely better than temporary pleasure coupled with eternal regret.

Moses determines to persevere by moving. The Bible records, “By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen” (Hebrews 11:27, NASB). Do you observe that word “endured”? The root of the word is “steadfast,” and here is the only place this particular Greek word is used in the Bible. Moses stayed faithful to God by doing two things: 1) not fearing the power he was leaving behind, and 2) enduring by keeping his heart fixed on an invisible God.

Our Lord who is now invisible is greater than any power we might be inclined to fear when we press forward in God’s will. Though we cannot yet see our God, He is the “King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (I Timothy 1:17, NASB). Moses did not fear the wrath of the king of Egypt because He revered the true King who – while now invisible – is eternally the Boss of everything!

We, too, can endure as we keep the eyes of our heart fixed on the unseen Ruler of the universe. We need not look behind, or over our shoulder, fearfully wondering how the enemy might pursue us. Not only is the pleasure of sin temporary, so is the terror of sinners and Satan.

Soon after Moses’ obedience, he and the Hebrews passed through the Red Sea on dry land. But, “the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29, NASB). My friends, we need to move when God says to move, no matter how difficult the road ahead appears. To stay would be sin when God says to go. The ill treatment we suffer will not last forever, and our future deliverance is a sure thing. God will make the way for us no matter how ominous the sea in front. All who stand in opposition to the Lord will eventually drown in despair.

“We shall endure.” What an all-encompassing phrase! We shall endure because we have our sights fixed on the invisible, eternal God who has His perfect plan. We shall endure . . . as we move.

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.” – Hebrews 11:24-27 (NASB)

A Stirring Compliment

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Recently I received a compliment that moved me deeply. I had the honor of speaking to Christian school teachers and administrators at a convention in Washington, D.C., given by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). I presented a seminar about a Biblical approach to classroom management. The seminar was presented over a period of two days, during four sessions, spanning a total of five and one-half hours; and my accompanying PowerPoint presentation contained ninety-two slides.

The fact that a seminar on classroom management can be so filled with moments of inspiration by God’s Holy Spirit is a topic for another day. Let me just say that the attendees’ hearts were ready to receive God’s Word; and any topic of discussion can and should be driven toward its Creator. Classroom management becomes a lively subject when viewed through the lens of God’s Word. Jesus is the Master Teacher and the Maker of all students. Learning is His wonderful idea in the first place, and He has something to say about it being done effectively and joyfully!

Now we go back to the pivotal input I was blessed to receive. The last half-hour of the final session was going very well, when I realized I had twenty-five minutes to finish presenting the material so that we could all culminate our study with prayer. Part of the last session involved me darting to various parts of the ballroom in which I was presenting as I demonstrated the importance of spending time in each quadrant of a classroom and the vital nature of a “change in scenery” for students in order to keep everyone just a little off balance for an active learning environment. This final stretch of the seminar was definitely as active as the first few moments had been the day before. My energy level was high, and the audience was engaged.

Things were going so well that we hardly noticed that a few other seminars had already ended – ended early I might mention. The last session was to finish at 3:00 pm. However, some attendees of other seminars began heading to the lobby of the hotel as early as 2:40 pm. As a presenter, my intent was to provide instruction until the very end. The delegates had paid money to attend the convention, and many were receiving continuing education credit for the instructional hours of my seminar.

Finally, I began the closing prayer, which – apparently – was put forth with much passion. For, no sooner had I said, “Amen,” than the regional associate director for ACSI approached me right before he quickly began to disassemble the equipment as he prepared for his own departure. As someone who has known and worked with me for quite a few years, his words went something like this: “Well, Shelli, I would have expected no less from you! You kept teaching right up to the end . . . and with such vigor. Even the closing prayer was so ‘right on.’ Thank you for being faithful.”

No one could have wiped the smile from my face in that moment. Even as people in the hallways scurried off, some of my students lingered to talk and ponder God’s work together. And I had received an invaluable commendation; I had been faithful, reflecting the heart of God.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:23 (NASB), “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Yes, we can depend upon our God; He is faithful!

Moreover, the reason we humans can hold onto the Christian faith without wavering is precisely because the One who makes His promise to us is faithful. It is not because of me that I can persevere; it is because of the One who promised His goodness to me. When the apostle admonishes us to keep going in our faith – to endure – to persist – he is sure to tell us why we can do so: He who promised is faithful.

God finishes what He starts. God always keeps His Word. God does not grow weary and desert the cause. God does not wear down when things get difficult. God does not lose interest. God is faithful to the end.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He is both the Author and the Finisher of our faith. Philippians 1:6 says that He who began a good work in us will complete it. With our Lord, we “get our money’s worth”! He does not stick with us only half-heartedly; He stays with us completely and vigorously.

When I think about the analogy to my classroom management seminar, I think of it this way. The last ten minutes of my last session were as strong as the first ten minutes of my first session. The content and passion remained unchanged. And so it is with life. During the last few moments of our earthly life, God will be as true to us as He was when He formed us in the womb. Amazingly, though, His faithfulness extends to the next world. Forever and ever He will remain our strength – even in the glory of Heaven. Though my seminar had an ending point, the goodness of God has no limit; it continues into the next life without end. Remember Psalm 36:5? “Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Thank you, Dr. Hegedus, for a compliment that stirs my heart. When we are faithful to the end, we reflect the heart of our Savior.

I pray today that you and I will be faithful to the end in every endeavor – big or small – and even as we cross that chasm between this life and the next. We can if we remember that “He who promised is faithful.”

Bad Trees and End Results

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No matter what we say in the name of Jesus or do in the name of Jesus, God discerns the truth of the matter. It is quite possible for someone to prophesy in God’s name and perform miracles without truly being a man or woman of God. Satan has the power to do counterfeit signs and wonders (II Thessalonians 2:9), and that will be one hallmark of the antichrist in the end times.

Jesus made clear to his disciples that they should examine fruit. In other words, we are to observe the end results of the life and work of a person. If my life does not please God, then neither does my purported work for Him. Though it is popular today to have a ministry for the Lord, this means nothing if we do not have a day-to-day way of living that pleases the Lord.

Jesus appeals to basic logic when He reminds us that it is simply impossible for a diseased tree to bring forth healthy fruit. If we are still diseased by sin at our core, our work for God will not heal the disease. The ultimate results of our life will still wreak havoc.

I may appear to do great things for God, but if people walk away from interaction with me disturbed by my spitefulness and rattled by my lack of self-control, then I am not bearing the fruit of the Spirit of God. If the end results of my relationships are destruction and unrest, if I never follow-through in faithfulness, if selfish impatience is my prominent trait, if sadness and gloom surround me always, or if imperviousness marks my every path; I am bearing fruit that is diseased. (See Galatians 5:22-23) The core of me needs fixed. For, “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:18).

To be sure we understand the seriousness of bad fruit, Jesus said, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22-23). You see, in Heaven it will not be necessary for people to cast out demons, prophesy, or perform miracles. What will be essential is the love between brethren and all the kindness, gentleness, and self-control that comes with real love.

A grave issue stands at hand. Let us grapple with it. Diseased trees bear diseased fruit. Alleged work for the Lord notwithstanding, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). It is the truth of our lives that matters, not what we appear to be because of all kinds of ministry efforts. This is a matter of integrity; what are we at the root? Because what we are will come out in the everyday effects of our living.

Why would Jesus throw a diseased tree into the fire? Good fruit will never come from it. The eternity the people of God want to enter is a forever of good things. The eternity fitting of our holy God is a forever of righteousness. What is – at its core – not good, must go.

Before the time of Jesus’ teaching what we have briefly discussed, He preached clearly, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). If your soul is diseased and you recognize it, there is hope for you. Jesus proclaims, “Repent.” Turn around. Change your mind completely. Realize the core needs healed. Realize more work will not change you. Decide that you need Jesus to clean your heart. He will. He promises that the kingdom of heaven – of goodness – is right around the corner.

Quite the Opposite of a Cop-Out

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I believe the first rule of genuine Christian leadership is a precept some may label a cop-out. God does not classify it this way; God describes this principle as truth. Here is the rule: Your reward is secure with God and will not be fully realized this side of eternity. Corollary to the rule: You will at times feel exhausted and discouraged, but these are only feelings; the truth remains unassailable.

Isaiah 49:4 proclaims, “But I said, ‘I have toiled in vain, I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely the justice due to Me is with the LORD, and My reward with My God.’” Interestingly, the prophet Isaiah has done here something for which he is known well. He is speaking generally to the people of his time, but He is also speaking specifically of the Messiah. As it is true of Jesus, so it is true of His servants. We grow weary from all the fury Hell can bring and we grow disheartened from all the loneliness of leadership and its unique responsibility. And yet again, as it is with Jesus, so it is with us. The Father promises to do right in the end. The sovereign Lord is working His plan, and He will bring the reward swiftly and surely.

Do you ever have days where the phrases “toiled in vain” and “spent My strength for nothing” seem all too familiar? If we are only focusing on what we can see with our eyeballs right now, we will no doubt feel empty at times. However, if we focus on a reward currently invisible but nonetheless tangible, we will grasp the sense of the phrase, “surely the justice due to Me is with the Lord, and My reward with My God.”

I am not sure why it is that at times even Christians give into the perception of “pie in the sky stuff” when it comes to belief in a reward in another world. I think part of the reason is a culture foolishly enamored with a definition of success realized by numbers, profit, and popularity. Standing in stark contrast to the belief of many, a reason that God says He is not ashamed of us is that we “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16). Imagine – God is proud of us for desiring the reality of Heaven! This verse does not proclaim God’s pride in us for what we achieve or desire here and now, but He is proud when we desire our heavenly home and all its reward and glory.

Though all human accolade be withheld, we shall yet stand before God and be delighted by the faces of those who have been greatly or even remotely affected by our service to Jesus Christ. They heard one word we spoke, they watched one godly reaction of ours, they felt our Savior’s love through our hug, they observed a life of passion for eternal things, they benefitted from our offering to the work of God, they heard of Jesus from the friend of a friend of a friend of someone with whom we shared the gospel, or they lived out their life in close proximity to ours as we served the living God.

Though we be misunderstood, unappreciated, maligned, forgotten, or persecuted; our reward is with our God. Peter says of that inheritance, “[it is] reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4). No small matter is it that the reward is also imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away.

Discouragement cannot tarnish our reward, economic downturn cannot diminish our reward, human evil cannot debase our reward, and time cannot corrode our reward.

No human may ever fully understand what we have done, are doing, or will do. But, God knows. Our labor for Him is not in vain.

Do you want to be a leader? First and foremost, know where your reward is. The chances of survival in leadership are nil if you are counting on anything other than the living God for your strength and satisfaction.

Take the Long View

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The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. – Deuteronomy 32:4 (NASB)

What bold words Moses speaks forth in his declaration of the supreme goodness of God. The leader of renown assesses God after many years of living and serving, and Moses concludes that God’s work is perfect. As we ponder the leader’s reflection, let me remind you of a few elements of Moses’ life: He was hidden in a basket on the Nile River because of Pharoah’s edict that he and other Hebrew boys be murdered, he was raised in a foreign home, he bore the realization that he was separated from his people, he risked his life and comfort to identify with the people of God, he grappled with his murder of an Egyptian, he lived in obscurity for forty years in Midian, he was asked to help deliver the Israelites despite personal weaknesses, he endured the increased misery of the Israelites when he first approached Pharoah with God’s commands, he believed God through the plagues and death of the firstborn, he faced the dilemma of standing between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptians, he led a complaining people through the wilderness forty years, and – most of all – he sustained personal devastation when denied entry to the Promised Land because of his own disobedience when he struck a rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded.

The bottom line is that Moses withstood grave disappointment at many instances of his life, and he suffered under baffling circumstances at many points. Were the “snapshot” view of things the final answer, Moses may not have declared his unwavering confidence in God’s inability to ever do wrong.

Despite the seemingly intolerable hardship at many turns along the road of life, Moses proclaimed, “His work is perfect.” Perfect here in the Hebrew means “complete, whole, healthful, having integrity.” Moses learned a vital key with God: take the long view. We may not apprehend the purpose of any particular difficulty or heartbreak, but we realize that God completes the picture of every righteous person’s life. He commands that all of life – even the grueling parts – function to fulfill a work in us that results in what is best, what is sound, what is fit.

Speaking of a long view, I stand amazed that Moses declares the complete justice of God even though he knew that he had been denied entrance to the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 3:23-27 makes clear that Moses sought God’s restoration and begged for entrance to Canaan. God denied him. And yet – with valor that inspires – Moses pronounces the faithfulness of God and the perfection of His work.

How does Moses’ broken heart exude such a hope? He has worked for God all his days and now is stopped at the threshold of a life dream. Or was he? All of Moses’ contemporaries who crossed over into the Promised Land died. Despite their entrance to Canaan; they faced enemies, difficulties, illnesses, and every other plight of humanity. The earthly Promised Land is not the Promised Land; it is not the ultimate dream.

Hebrews 11:13-16 says that great men and women of God have died in faith, without receiving the promises. They welcomed the promises from a distance. They believed and confessed that their true home is a heavenly home. Moses is in this category of unbelievable believers who stood on a hill overlooking the earthly Promised Land and knew for a fact that he would enter the Promised Land – the heavenly one!

Some will accuse people like me of using Heaven as a crutch. They might say that Heaven is not an answer to the turmoil we face in this world. I believe God has an infinite future to correct all wrongs and fill all dreams to an infinite depth. In Hebrews 11:16, we are informed that God is not ashamed to be called our God when and if we desire a heavenly city. For God, the heavenly Promised Land is not “pie in the sky” stuff. To the Maker of all reality, Heaven is the most real and the most desired. He prides Himself in those of us who, like Moses, truly believe that our deepest answers await us.

Let us announce, as Moses did, that God’s work is perfect. Despite anything we face, He does no wrong. Moreover, He has prepared a city for us!

Who Is God’s Favorite?

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Students always envy the “teacher’s pet.” Siblings tease about who is mom’s favorite. Employees long to be “in good” with the boss. Why?

Clearly, teachers wield moderate power in the educational context, parents have a tremendous impact during our growing-up years, and supervisors definitely influence our professional lives. But, would you not love to be a favorite of God?

God is sovereign over every realm. Now, I understand that being the teacher’s pet has fleeting advantages, and promotions may come easier when the boss has high regard for us; but what are the infinite privileges of rapport with the One who owns galaxies, causes flowers to bloom, provides breath to all people, and decides just when and how to close out this chapter of human history and usher in a perfect world? I want an advantage with Him for sure!

Hold onto your hat, because favor with God comes in a way you might not expect . . . bearing up under suffering for doing the right thing!

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly . . . but if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. (I Peter 2:19-20)

And there it is – simple, but not so glamorous. Straightforward and rock-solid, but not fitting the appetite of this culture. No matter, for we know the One who transcends the ebb and flow of civilization, the One who fashioned our soul with His own hands and understands that our heart’s real need is His approval.

Therefore, stand strong. Do right. Do not sway in the midst of fervent attack against virtue. Though the fury of hell comes against your soul and even brothers turn to enemies, be not dissuaded from acting rightly. Allow no excuse for sinful reaction.

Though you are mistreated, neglected, ostracized, and castigated for doing what God calls you to do; persevere with your mind fixed on Christ and your heart wholly yielded to God.

Of two things you can consequently be sure: His Spirit will fuel your arduous journey, and the favor of the Maker and Sustainer of the universe will rest on you.

No one can imagine what glorious reward awaits the person who is favored by the One who tells both galaxies and electrons what to do!

Formality Or Reality: Are You Enjoying Your Relationship With Jesus?

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Have you ever been out to lunch with someone for mostly business purposes, or for some other sort of obligation? The fellow diner is not someone with whom you feel very comfortable. And so you provide obligatory conversation, eat very carefully – obeying all the formal dining rules, – and wonder if the impression you emit is quite satisfactory.

On these somewhat nerve-wracking occasions, you discover that even your favorite pasta dish is not as mouth-watering as it usually is. Your smile strains your facial muscles, instead of hearty laughter erupting from the gut.

On the other hand, the steak seems juicier, the conversation flows freely, and laughter is unbridled at the dinner table of two real friends. When genuine companions get together, the dining is sweet because the dining is real, built on the comfort of relationship.

Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 (NAS), “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me.”

Why did Jesus add those last four words?

Why did He not just leave it at “I will dine with you”?

At the surface, it seems redundant to say it both ways: “I will dine with you AND you will dine with me.”

But God does not waste words! He added the vital second part because real dining – the kind of dining you want to do – involves not just a guest and a host, but two people in relationship.

When Jesus spoke these pointed words, he was addressing a group of people whose love for God had grown cold, formal, and religious. God despises religion, but adores relationship. And so, our Savior proclaims, “Be zealous and repent” in order that you may invite Me in to eat with you and truly enjoy my company.

Do you enjoy your relationship with Jesus? Or has religious formality crept in as the busyness of your life rages on?

Pray now. Pray sincerely. Be real. Tell Jesus you are sorry that He and you are not connecting at the core.

Then invite Him in to dine with you and you with Him.

Don’t Fear Mixed Reactions

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DON’T BE AFRAID OF MIXED REACTIONS AS LONG AS YOUR CHARACTER IS NOT MIXED-UP!

Let me ask you a few questions before we go any further: Is Jesus perfect? Did Jesus ever lie?

Hopefully, your answers are “yes” and then “no.” Jesus is God, and so He is perfect and cannot lie. Even so, check out the following passages of Scripture (taken from John 4:39-40; 5:16, 18; 6:15; 7:12, and 7:43-44, respectively):

• From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him . . . they were asking Him to stay with them . . .
• For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, . . .
• For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, . . .
• So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, . . .
• There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, “He is a good man”; others were saying, “No, on the contrary, he leads the people astray.”
• So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him.

Astonishingly, people had very mixed reactions to Jesus. Though Jesus is completely perfect and unchanging in unblemished character; we have some believing, some persecuting, some seeking to kill, and some wanting to make Him king. Generally, people were divided and displayed a wide array of emotions when it came to Jesus.

The variance of reaction is amazing, because the Person to whom everyone was reacting never varies. What do we learn from this? Even when we are acting within the will of God and reflecting His unchanging character, people may very well have mixed reactions to us! As human beings, our sole responsibility is to live abandoned to the will of God. As we remain undividedly accountable to Him, let the chips fall where they may. Every person has individual reasons for reacting to God and others in the way that he does, and those reasons are dependent on the status of his own heart. We cannot control how people to respond.

If Jesus Christ – the perfect Son of God – encountered mixed reaction, what should we expect?

The thing on which we ought to focus is our own character. If people react badly to us because of our own wavering character, it is our fault. However, if people react badly to us because of the reflection of God’s character within us, we must leave the consequences in the hands of God.

When God Calls

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When God calls you to love,
Love to the end
Because God never fails.

When God calls you to hope,
Hope despite looming impossibility
Because God can do all things.

When God calls you to be a fool for His sake,
Be a fool despite the press of pride
Because God came to earth in all humility.

When God calls you to give,
Give without fear of loss
Because God is of infinite resource.

When God calls you to persevere against all odds,
Persevere despite exhaustion
Because God gives strength to the weary.

When God calls you to live for Him,
Live for Him though it sometimes appears not to matter
Because God fulfills every purpose under Heaven for His own.

Essence of a Great Teacher

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Recent educational research stemming from the nonprofit group, Teach for America, tells us something the Bible made clear centuries ago: the teacher is the most important component of educational success. Ripley (2010, p. 60) posits, “This tale of two boys, and of the millions of kids just like them, embodies the most stunning finding to come out of education research in the past decade: more than any other variable in education – more than schools or curriculum – teachers matter.” Though endless amounts of money have been spent on fancy curriculum additions, more classroom gadgets, and more standardized testing; it is, in fact, “which adult stands in front of their children” (Ripley, 2010, p. 60) that should be the main concern of parents. Why? The answer is rooted in God Himself.

God is relational. Father, Son, and Spirit have eternally loved one another. God began relating to human beings when he created us in His image. When we lost relationship with Him, God continually pursued us. His pursuit culminated in the incarnation. He took on flesh and entered our world to save us from our sin and restore relationship with Him.

Jesus taught us the things of God in a personal way. he demonstrated God’s love to us. He lived out God’s love right in front of our eyes.

In essence, God did not say, “Here’s an instruction manual.” Rather, God said, “Here I am.” And He continues to offer Himself through His Spirit.

Excellent teachers model God’s heart and say, “Here I am.” They do not simply hold forth curriculum and activities and words as the answer. Great teachers offer themselves as living curriculum.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (ESV)

Work cited: Ripley, A. (2010, Jan/Feb). What makes a great teacher. The Atlantic, 305(1), 58-66.

Evaluating John Maxwell’s Leadership Principles Through a Biblical Worldview

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Maxwell’s book, Developing the Leaders around You, is a good supplemental text for Christian leadership training. It’s theologically weak basis, however, does not warrant its placement as a main text for the potential Christian leader. Maxwell offers some very practical advice that can be utilized by the well-grounded Christian. The essence of leadership from a biblical viewpoint is not promoted in the book; leaders utilizing Maxwell’s advice, therefore, need to be wary. As Paul warns in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Much of the world’s thinking on leadership is “hollow” thinking, with no solid base; the approach is pragmatic. The man or woman of God is not to be pragmatic, but rather is to do all things for the glory of God (II Thessalonians 1:12).

In the first chapter, Maxwell drives home the point that the leader’s main goal is to raise up other leaders who will go on to carry out an organization’s vision long after initial leadership has passed. As the author says, “There is no success without a successor.” However, the emphasis of the chapter is that organizations must grow. Maxwell uses the real life example of Skyline Wesleyan Church, the church he became pastor of in 1981. He admits that his first question as a new leader was why the number of people in attendance had reached a plateau. He goes on to explain how the numbers rose from 1,000 to 4,000 under his watch. This growth in sheer number of people in attendance is equated to success of pastoral leadership. During Jesus’ time of leadership, He reminded His disciples that the road to true life in Him is very narrow, and few will travel that road (Matthew 7:13, 14). Jesus constantly highlighted the difficulty of truly following Him in selfless service and exclusive loyalty (Luke 9:23). In light of these Gospel truths, we must remember that although leaders must breed leaders for continued success, the essence of the leadership must be properly focused. Likening leadership strength to increase in church attendance may be dangerous. What is the gain if followers of Christ do not beget genuine followers of Christ, rather merely people who happen to attend church? Growth is not the sole goal; undivided service to Jesus Christ is.

In the second chapter of Developing the Leaders around You, the author points to a wonderful truth. He instructs us to have vision enough to see the future leader in a person, rather than only focusing on the potential leader’s development to the present moment. Jesus Himself looked at what His disciples could be, and He worked to that end. Knowing the soon coming failures of Peter, Jesus encouraged Peter by naming him a “rock” (Matthew 16:18). This is one of many examples when Christ looked down the road to the potential in a man through God’s strength. Grace can do this. Maxwell rightly encourages us to be leaders who believe in others, knowing God’s grace can do mighty things. At the same time, Maxwell instructs us that for those potential leaders who refuse to comply and produce, difficult decisions must be made. After sufficient warning and re-training, it becomes necessary to terminate positions for the good of the vision. A biblical truth is modeled here, as God prods us to come to Him continually. But, after sufficient time, He will “close the door” and – for the good of all those who have chosen Him – the unrighteous will be forever banished from our “home of righteousness.” That, of course, is the big, broad picture; it nonetheless lends credence to the idea that we extend grace and instruction to those who will receive, and, then, at the right time, discontinue opportunity for those who choose to refuse help. This becomes the only way to save the integrity of the organization.

Maxwell does well in instructing us to look first for character when it comes to qualities for a leader. He promotes the concept of integrity, which is essential for God’s plan. Ever since the fall of man, disintegration and deceitfulness are everywhere. We Christians battle constantly for an “undivided heart” (Psalm 86:11) that will live for God no matter what and model the integrity He will one day fully restore to this earth, physically and morally.

Maxwell falls short, however, in defining leadership simply as “influence.” Service is the essence of Christian leadership, and influence is its rightful by-product. We live by the hypothesis that Jesus is the greatest Leader of all, and Jesus came to serve mankind (Mark 10:45). It was through His ultimate service that Jesus Christ “influenced” the world as no other ever could. Influence follows a servant’s heart, not vice versa.

Shortly after defining leadership as influence, Maxwell pinpoints a positive attitude as one of the most valuable assets of a leader. He does not go on to establish a basis for this positive attitude. Why should leaders be positive? The answer from a biblical worldview falls nothing short of the hope we have in the victory of Christ Jesus over sin’s power and death (I Peter 1:3). Anything appearing to be a positive attitude that has a foundation other than Jesus Christ is simply of no real substance: an imposter. Our leaders will soon lose motivation if their attitudes find no transcendent, immutable root.

Developing the Leaders around You reminds us that people want significance. Our culture would do well to remind the next generation to cease engaging in activities devoid of true meaning. We are designed by our Creator to subdue the earth, to fill the earth by the work of our lives and relationships (Genesis 1:28). Maxwell tells us to remind people of the bigger picture; remind others of what their contribution means in the long run. Leaders must invigorate by connecting the everyday “stuff of life” with the long-term vision. The apostle Paul did much the same when he reminded us to focus on what is eternal even while we suffer through the temporary struggles of life (II Corinthians 4:16-18). During instruction as to how we should equip leaders, Maxwell states that our dreams are important. I quote him on page 92, “I have often wondered, ‘Does the person make the dream or does the dream make the person?’ My conclusion is both are equally true.” He goes on to tell us that great leaders need people to help make dreams reality. These thoughts are problematic in that they are incomplete and, therefore, lack firm biblical foundation. In response to the page 92 quote, let us say, “God made the person and the dream!” The ever popular Psalm 37:4 affirms that the only way to achieve the dreams we were designed for is by “delighting ourselves in the Lord.” We are not to delight ourselves in our dreams, but in the Lord Himself, in order to see the true fulfilled plan for our lives. Solid biblical motivation is imperative for Christian leaders. All else will lead to defeat in the eyes of God and – eventually – man.

Maxwell encourages his readers to be self-disciplined in setting aside time each day for personal growth. Personal discipline is essential for leadership. However, since this text is viewed as a Christian text, the personal model Maxwell sets forth for a weekly plan is not sufficient. On page 113, Maxwell makes clear that one hour each Monday with God is part of a rewarding plan of growth. The other days’ hours are filled with leadership books, tapes, and study. The model of Jesus Christ certainly makes this model for growth appear disproportionate. Our worship of God and commitment to Him must be first. If the Father promises all our basic needs when we seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), certainly He will provide for our leadership development when we place Him first as well.

Developing the Leaders around You can aid in the development of leadership qualities for the well-grounded Christian. Maxwell says eloquently on page 178, “To live a worthwhile, meaningful life, a person must be a part of something greater than himself.” This statement is most definitely true. It is true, however, because man is not at the center of the universe; God is. We find our value as people – as leaders – in God through Jesus Christ. While it is important to outline good leadership qualities so people can put them into practice, it is just as vital for the Christian leader to back up each concept with proper theology. If not, Christian leaders, such as Maxwell, are simply writing secular leadership books and sprinkling them with “Christian language.” Authentic leadership derives from an authentic God. Leadership, like all other disciplines of life, finds its only true, untainted meaning when studied and practiced from a thoroughly biblical worldview.