Daily Archives: April 26, 2013

The bulk of this post originated from a comment that I wrote as a reply to a comment that I KNEW was coming,  and had been waiting for.

That comment was removed not because it had inappropriate content but because it contained a name that is not part of this greater conversation and would distract from said greater conversation (indeed a name might let the rest of us off the hook… we might think… oh, this is about HER… NO, it’s about all of us!).

On Tuesday I wrote to encourage a friend and those who honor him.

Beginning Wednesday I was moved to write about some leadership issues that I see everywhere I go (the railroad is in Hungary by the way). I am not thinking about any one leader or organization. These observations are not pointed to one spot. Indeed they are intended for all my readers who, on most days, the majority of whom are not even in the US.

As I visit and pray for many leaders in many countries and seek to encourage and help them, their hearts and stories are being used by the Spirit to help me write these challenges to affect a greater readership.

While some readers may feel (or hope) I am targeting a single place, please believe me, I am not. There are many schools and churches and organizations that have given this old brain pause and thought.

Having said all that, if the shoe fits, wear it. I sure do. And I am praying about what are the many ways that God needs to change me. We are all in need of self evaluation. Go consider the words of Paul in 1 Cor 11.  My hope is not to effect change or change minds (let alone hearts)… that’s God’s job.

But, if I can make you think and ponder and then abide in Him, I have done my job.

It’s Friday, we’re gonna make this early and short!

I read an article from a leader who talked about walking around the office and talking to his people. His people? That got me to thinking. As I thought about it, I began to see that the idea of talking about “my guys” is a way that I am endearing me in my own head to them. But, what am I really saying? Am I not giving my self credit that I don’t deserve? This is a top-down way of thinking. Is that a biblical way of thinking in the Kingdom of God? Maybe. Maybe not.

I once visited a school which had huge morale problems. The problems began at the top, the head principal had been rejected by the faculty in a vote (don’t ask) and his tenure began under a cloud. He kept his door closed most of the time. This was a government school, he was not a follower of Jesus. But I think his approach should be instructive to those of us who are followers of Jesus, who He has made into leaders. This guy cared about his power and his mission, not his people. He didn’t have any people. He had no relationships with the people with whom he served. He certainly didn’t have their respect. Because he had no relationships.

Do you cultivate relationships with your people? How ’bout God’s people… among whom you are?