Words Have Meaning
2024 – A Year of Holy Spirit Empowerment
In a high-level overview of what Biblical leadership entails, there are four (4) key observations that emerge.
- Observation #1 – Few Leaders finish well
- Observation #2 – Leadership is difficult
- Observation #3 – God’s enabling presence is the essential ingredient of successful leadership
- Observation #4 – Spiritual leadership can make a difference
In this post we will look at the remains three (3) of six (6) Barriers to Finishing Well. Dr. Robert Clinton from Fuller Theological Seminary having studied over 1300 cases of leadership with approximately 50 Bible Leaders and 100+ historical leaders and the rest being contemporary; his research focused on the WHAT and WHY of leaders not finishing well. It is not some mysterious covert work. In fact there are items that are knowable. Consider Proverbs 22:3 (NLT); A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Pr 22:3). Tyndale House Publishers.]
Barriers con’t
#4 – Sex – Illicit Relationships. Illicit sexual relationship have been a major downfall both in Biblical and western cultures. Joseph’s classic integrity check with respect to sexual sin is the ideal model that leaders should follow.
Example: David’s sin with Bathsheba was pivotal from which his leadership never fully recovered.
#5 – Family – Critical Issues – Problems between spouses, children, can and will destroy ministry. Biblical family values are to be pursued and lived out.
Example: David’s family. Ammon and Tamar. Absalom’s revenge.
#6 – Plateauing. Leaders who are competent will tend to plateau. However, your strength as a competent leader is also your weakness. They can continue ministry without there being a reality of Spirit empowered renewing.
Example: David in the latter part of his reign just before Absalom’s revolt.
Take your study deeper. What have you learned from the Six Barriers to Finishing Well? What changes do you need to implement
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