THELIFE OF LEADERS ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
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THELIFE OF LEADERS ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Prioritiesand Balance of Leadership and Calling
Leadership is characterized by the ability of an individual toconduct themselves in a manner that depicts a healthy state of mind.One has the mandate of dealing with both priorities they have set forthemselves and the balance that they seek to achieve in their lives.A leader must set priorities that they should strive to attain.However, the ability to accomplish the priorities that have oftenbeen set conflicts with the concept of achieving a balance of a lifeas a leader. I understanding the relationship between the twoconcepts, it may be vital to have a comprehension of each regardingwhat they mean. Priorities are items that are essential compared toother things and have been marked to be done first.
1st Corinthians 2:14 States
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit ofGod, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand thembecause they are spiritually discerned”
In the context of leadership, a leader could set priorities on theitems that they need to accomplish as a team or individual in chargeof the rest. Alternatively, a balance of life means one settingstandards for themselves on the things they need to do or avoid so asto attain a peace of mind. A balance in the life of a leader meansthat one has peace of mind when it comes to the overall concept ofleading the others. 1st Timothy Chapter Three verse fivestates the importance of a man’s ability to lead his household asit enables them to lead the Church of God. In relating the two, itis evident that there is a close link. As a leader, it is crucial toset priorities that one seeks to attain. Upon realization of thegoals that had been set, the leader is in a better position torealize a balance of emanating from the leadership position. Theachievement of the priorities based on the items to be attainedenables one to reach the balance of life.
The Scripture brings out crucial aspects when it comes to one’svocational calling and leading the rest of the family members. TheScriptures elaborate on the need to ensure that one uses thespiritual calling to transform the rest of the family members intopeople who behave by the teachings of the Bible. A Spiritual callingmeans that one has to ensure that they lead by example. Ephesians4:11 states
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in amanner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,”
They have to act in a way that portrays the teachings of thescriptures. However, for one to show how much they may havetransformed, they should be able to lead others in life that depictsholiness. Family members are among the individuals one has to relatewith. Through the teachings of the scriptures that I have learned, Ican lead the rest of the family in a holistic sense. I understandthat it is my mandate to use the vocational calling to transform thelives of others positively. Those poised to benefit from myvocational calling should be the immediate family members.
Luke 4: 18 states
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim libertyto the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set atliberty those who are oppressed”,
Before I go out to educate others on the teachings of the Scriptures,the family should be the first to benefit. It is through theteachings I give that we help to build each other’s spiritualwell-being. The family is helpful since it would be an opportunity toshare ideas on the Scriptures while at the same time building eachother’s faith. The pursuit of a holistic life ought not to be anindividual’s affair. The decision to bring in the family byteaching them about the Scriptures may serve as an opportunity toincrease each other’s understanding of the need to pursue holinessin a holistic sense.
Christian leadership covers the crucial aspects of making one realizethe relationship between the three concepts namely priorities, thebalance of life and a calling. As a Christian leader, one needs tounderstand the significance of setting priorities, attaining abalance of life and responding to the vocational calling topositively transform the lives of those around. Christianity comeswith responsibility. One should have an understanding of what isexpected of them. Many may need to learn about the scriptures butfail to do so because they do not have anybody to educate them on thesame. Through the same, it should be an opportunity for one to depictthe traits of a Christian leader by setting priorities that includethe identification of individuals who need teaching in the concept ofChristianity. Having identified the people, it could be anopportunity to work on the priority of transforming their livespositively into understanding the Scriptures1.Nevertheless, there is the concept of understanding the idea ofachievement of a balance of life. Much as one has the mandate ofeducating others about the teachings of the Scriptures, it should notserve as a deterrent not to act in a manner that portrays theChristian nature in one. The teaching of the Scriptures and leading aholy life ought not to deter one from executing theirresponsibilities as humans. I understand that as a Christian leader,it is my duty to treat anybody as a fellow human. I should not takeadvantage of the vocational calling to view others as sinners.
SWOTAnalysis as Spiritual Leader
Strengths
As a spiritual leader, I have been endowed with the ability tounderstand the crucial role of taking responsibility to transform thelives of those who look up to me. I have the potential to establish ameaningful relationship with those who entrust me with therelationship issues that they may be facing. Being a spiritualleader, one finds themselves in a state where they have to listen tothose who present with spiritual problems2.Particularly, there are those who have no faith in the existence ofGod. When presented with such a case, as a spiritual leader, one mustunderstand how to deal with the situation and transform the faith ofthe individual. I have the ability to initiate a conversation andengage one until they change their perspective of spirituality.Further, I am self-confident. Spirituality and capacity to helpothers walk in the path of holiness entail one exuding confidence intheir ability to lead a righteous life. I am self-confident andunderstands the need to encourage others to develop the same trait inthemselves. Finally, I am endowed with the capability of seeing thebest in anybody. People commit sins in different ways. As a spiritualleader, it is crucial not to look at the sinful nature of theindividuals but their ability to transform their lives into betterpeople in the society.
Weakness
The primary weakness that I have is the constant attitude of judgingothers. I have found myself in occasions where I rebuke theindividuals who lead a life that is not by the Christian teachings. Itend to forget my role as a spiritual leader is to help theindividuals overcome the issues that are causing them to sin. Throughsuch a trait, I have lost the opportunity to assist those who come tome for spiritual guidance. Further, there is the concept of not beingable efficiently to attain a balance between my social and spirituallife. I understand that my purpose as a spiritual leader is to workwith others in ministry to help the non-believers transform theirways. However, in occasions where one is expected to be social andinteract with others at such levels, I find the spiritual part of metaking over. It is an adverse effect since the result is that thosewho wish to present their issues tend to shy away. As a spiritualleader, I understand the significance of gelling with the rest of thesociety and assist each other in building the faith. I need toimprove my social skills and avoid acting as though am holier thanthose who are not spiritual.
Opportunities
The first opportunity that presents is the increased quest by many toget to learn about the concept of Christianity. The decision by manyto come out in pursuit of the spiritual life is an opportunity totransform the lives of people. As a spiritual leader, it isencouraging when most of those who lead a life that is not by theChristian teachings decide to turn back to the church. Further, thepresence of mentors is an opportunity to work together toward theattainment of the goal of helping others embrace Christianity.According to Proverbs 11:14, there is need for one to rely oncounselors to help them grow spiritually. Also, there is the conceptof the positive attitude people have when it comes to the Christianteachings. It is an opportunity to further the teachings of thescriptures as a way of ensuring that they transform their attitudetowards Christianity. The increase in some those interested inlearning about Christianity and what it means is advantageous for meas a spiritual leader. I can use the opportunity to ensure that Ispread the news to those who are willing.
Threats
As a spiritual leader, the primary threat I face is the condemnationI get from the non-believers. It is unfortunate that the society ischaracterized by a large number of individuals who have less faith inChristianity. The situation is worsened by those who are less willingto transform their ways of life despite the benefits that existthrough the transformation of their lives. Also, it is unfortunatethat the secular way of life makes it difficult to encourage peopleto embrace Christian teachings. Also, there is the fact that peoplehave their individual beliefs that make it difficult for them toadopt Christianity. Further, as a spiritual leader, there is thethreat of those expected to lead the congregation deviating in theduties they have been assigned. For example, people pretend to bespiritual leaders when in essence they are not. They deceive peoplethat they are spiritual when it is not the case. The effect is thatpeople get an adverse opinion when it comes to the overall concept ofChristianity. It is a threat to me as a spiritual leader since theimpression created by the false prophets significantly affects thefaith that the people have in the church.
Leadership Plan
It is crucial to have plans for the future as a spiritual leader. Inaccomplishing the goal, the first plan is the identification of amature spiritual mentor. Spiritual growth entails one leading lifethat is representative of the teachings of the Bible3.For instance, there are times when one backslides in the course ofministry. The decision to identify a particular mentor is usefulsince it provides an opportunity to stick to the values ofspirituality. Through the same, it would be possible to grow inleadership since there is a figure that provides direction. Further,the next step would be the identification of a group of individualswho have similar mindsets when it comes to spirituality. It is anopportunity to learn and educate each other regarding spirituality.Such a move would translate to positive growth as a leader.Experiencing maturity in the leadership process would be possible.
The disciplines to be employed in leadership are an improvement ofcommunication, social interaction and the style of leadership.Effective communication would be employed to help in the improvementof the leadership skills. It is essential to understand that the workof preaching on spiritual matters need to be accompanied by propercommunication skills. It is through such a move that it would bepossible to help people turn their lives back to Christianity. Thenext year should be followed by efficiencies when it comes to theoverall manner in which content is delivered should be different. Asa leader, I have the mandate of ensuring that I can change people’slives through the teachings of the scriptures. Finally, there is theaspect of working on how to interact with the others in the society.It is fundamental to have social skills that facilitate the deliveryof spiritual teachings.
The books to be read are varied but should revolve around theimprovement of the communication and social skills as a leader. TheBible would be the first book to be read for the spiritual guidancethat it provides. Reading the Bible would be a constant activity asit provides the advice on how to lead and further the concept of theteaching of the scriptures. 4Further,the motivation books would be appropriate when it comes to ensuringthat the ideas presented in the can be adopted for the improvement ofthe leadership skills. Various books exist that can be used tofacilitate the maturation of the leadership competencies. Apart fromthe Bible and the motivational books, some books are spiritual innature and would be helpful when it comes to the overall process ofenhancing the leadership skills. Combining the availability of thementor and utilization of the spiritual and motivational books, itwould be possible to improve the leadership competencies.
Cultivation of leadership skills would be achieved through variousmeans. The first is by setting standards that a spiritual leadershould adhere. As a spiritual leader, it is vital that one conductsthemselves in a manner that depicts integrity. According to Psalms78: 72, there is need for one to lead others according to theintegrity that they believe. I should act by example throughconducting my affairs in a way that shows the holiness in me. Limitation of weakness would be achieved by being cautious of theissues that could result in my downfall. I understand that as ahuman, I have a weakness, but that should not be an excuse to behaveways that contradict the values I believe. I will work towardsidentifying the opportunities that exist when it comes to myspiritual growth and that of those who look up to me. I willregularly pray to stand the threats to my spiritual growth.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Malphurs, Aubrey. Being leaders: The nature of authentic Christianleadership. Baker Books, 2003.
Marks, Herbert. "The King James Bible." LiteraryImagination 14, no. 1 (2012): 50-50.
Petchsawang, Pawinee, and Dennis Duchon. "Workplacespirituality, meditation, and work performance." Journal ofmanagement, spirituality & religion 9, no. 2 (2012): 189-208.
Scott, Sherri L. "Christian leadership emergence and ministrydevelopment as influenced by divine encounters." PhD diss.,FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, SCHOOL OF INTERCULTURAL STUDIES, 2016.
1 Petchsawang, Pawinee, and Dennis Duchon. "Workplace spirituality, meditation, and work performance." Journal of management, spirituality & religion 9, no. 2 (2012): 189-208.
2 Scott, Sherri L. "Christian leadership emergence and ministry development as influenced by divine encounters." PhD diss., FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, SCHOOL OF INTERCULTURAL STUDIES, 2016.
3 Scott, Sherri L. "Christian leadership emergence and ministry development as influenced by divine encounters." PhD diss., FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, SCHOOL OF INTERCULTURAL STUDIES, 2016.
4 Malphurs, Aubrey. Being leaders: The nature of authentic Christian leadership. Baker Books, 2003.