Words Have Meaning

2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment

Dr. J. Robert Clinton, Professor of Leadership at the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, has made great contributions to the study of Biblical leaders that finish well and also the barriers of finishing well. Dr. John Maxwell has stated that everything he has ever learned about Leadership originated in his study of the Bible.

As we enter 2024, prognosticators suggest this year will be a year of social chaos and conflict that potentially will scar the American landscape permanently. The vacuum of quality leaders in all areas of our nation is creating a phenomenal pressure on leaders to finish well. I want to be clear, finishing well as a leader is not an impossibility. At the same time Finishing Well is not a passive exercise – deliberate focus is required.

Dr. Clinton’s studies on Biblical Leadership has revealed the following observations from scripture.

1. Few Leaders finish well
2. Leadership is difficult
3. God’s enabling presence is the essential ingredient of successful leadership
4. Spiritual leadership can make a difference

These observations cross-over into contemporary leadership in society. Pause for just a minute to realize these four observations started in the context of the Bible. Research reveals there are approximately 800+ leaders mentioned in the scriptures. Yet, many do not finish well at the end of their tenure. What can be learned from this fact? What does a successful leadership conclusion look like? Why are there only a few that finish well? I will explore this in upcoming posts.

Take your study deeper. What are your thoughts about finishing well as a leader? Do you recognize the correlation between a national vacuum of leadership and what effective biblical leadership looks like?