Devotional:  Leadership
by Tom Saluzzo

    September 1st, 2007


    Leadership Devotional
    At the last meeting, I gave a devotional on Leadership, following up on the Leadership Summit that was live via
    satellite at Lakeshore from Willow Creek Church in Chicago. Here are my notes:

    Leadership
    Romans 12:6-8
    We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion
    to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it
    is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is
    showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

    We are called to be leaders of family, church, and community.

    NMIC Mission Statement: Glorifying God by following His commands in Discipling, Developing, and
    Deploying men into service of family, church, and community.

    Husbands leaders of family – Ephesians 5:22-23
    Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of
    the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

    Leaders in Church – 1Timothy 3:1-12 – Overseers and Deacons.

    Leaders of Community (by example)
    Titus 2:7a
    In everything set them an example, by doing what is good.

    1Peter 5:2-3
    Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because
    you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those
    entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

    Qualities of Good Leadership - Proverbs
    Diligence – 12:24
    Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

    Trustworthy messengers – 13:17
    A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
    It is important to choose your words well and avoid reacting until you clearly understand what the other person
    means.

    Don’t penalize people for integrity – 17:26
    It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity.

    Listen before answering – 18:13
    He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame.

    Able to discern – 18:15
    The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

    Listen to both sides of the story – 18:17
    The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

    Able to stand up under adversity – 24:10
    If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
    Don’t complain about your problems. They are training you for the bigger problems of tomorrow.

    Able to stand up under praise – 27:21
    The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.
    Your attitude towards praise tells a lot about your character. People of high integrity are not swayed by praise.

    2007 Leadership Summit Highlights

    Marcus Buckingham – “Go Put Your Strengths to Work”
    Build around my strengths and manage around my weaknesses.
    Studying negatives does not help learn positives.
    The opposite of bad is “not bad”.
    You grow most in your areas of greatest strengths.
    As you grow, you become more of who you already are.

    Colin Powell – “Leading at the Highest Level”
    Leaders should promote a clash of ideas.
    Only people get things done.
    Be prepared to disappoint people.
    Check your ego at the door. (1Samuel 15:30)
    Fit no stereotypes.
    Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. (Psalm 11:1-4)
    Trust the element of instinct (I think of this as the Holy Spirit)

    Bill Hybels – “Whatever You Do, Inspire Me!”
    You are responsible to motivate yourself.
    40% increase in performance with motivation.