Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Selecting wise leadership

Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.  Deuteronomy 1:13
 
The selection process of wise leadership can make or break an organization or church. We are constantly faced with this in our families, church, work, schools, civic groups, and professional associations. Wise leadership does not come about as a result of pride’s persuasion. It is not found in the “tick for tat” of politics. Wise leadership is not discovered through popularity contests or an assessment. Indeed, a red flag goes up when someone is clamoring to fill a position of leadership, and it should. A wise leader would rather be drafted by others than promote himself into a position.
           
So where do you look for wise leaders? A good place to begin is within the ranks of those who already exhibit wise leadership. You see those leadership traits in the open, authentic environment they create in their work and home, and by their own honesty around personal weaknesses and strengths. Wise leaders are excellent listeners. They listen with the intent to understand, not to respond. Wisdom desires understanding of what others are thinking and feeling.  They know what questions to ask. They challenge you to think, and offer counsel when appropriate.
 
Wise leaders are not gurus or know-it-alls. On the contrary, they are smart enough to understand the vastness of what they don’t know. Moreover, those who know them best especially respect wise leaders. If a leader fails to command the respect of someone in his or her inner circle, they will also lose the respect of those outside their immediate circle of influence. Respect comes over time by showing respect. It is the result of doing what you say and modeling integrity in living out what you say you believe. Consistent Christlike behavior invites respect. Wisdom and respect go hand in hand.
           
Wise leadership points others to God. Any infatuation with a leader as an individual is redirected to their heavenly Father as God always gets the glory since He is the one who provides us with wisdom. Wisdom will only remain in a humble heart. It is within the incubator of humility that wisdom germinates and flourishes. The Bible says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (see Psalm 25:9). So a wise leader exhibits humility with his heart for God. God can entrust wisdom to the humble of heart, but He is stingy in giving wisdom to the proud, for they cannot be trusted.
 
The application of wisdom matures relationships, facilitates faith, and grows business and ministry. Hear from the wise before you charge forward with a new opportunity. Ask your parents’ advice. Pray to God for wisdom about your next steps. Wise leaders do not always tell you what you want to hear. Listen anyway. Their words are sometimes hard, and at the time seem intolerant and insensitive, for wisdom makes foolishness uncomfortable. But wise leadership leads you beyond selfish satisfaction. Wise leaders lead you to grow in your relationship with Christ. So, follow wise leaders and be a wise leader. As the opportunity arises, prayerfully select and appoint wise leaders. Wise leadership promotes God’s agenda, and His agenda is wisdom.
 
Our prayer:  Father God grant us wisdom, as you said in your word if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God who gives freely.  As it is with your wisdom being active in our lives that we can make decisions that bring you glory, and led us to favorable outcomes.  In Jesus name Amen. 

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Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"
Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ
Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown
Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.fbcc-va.org

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