Effective Christian Leadership Inner Life (1) “The Leader’s Pathway” CRBIC

A Profound Insight “I am more determined now than ever to make sure my heart keeps growing bigger during the remainder of my leadership adventure. What good does it do to be a Christian leader if my skills, my insights, my decisions, and my energy don’t flow from a deep love for God and for other people? How’s your heart??” -- Bill Hybels, Courageous Leadership, p. 197 CRBIC

The Art of Self-Leadership “It is management of self that should occupy 50 percent of our time and the best of our ability. And when we do that the ethical, moral, and spiritual elements of management are inescapable.” -- Dee Hock, “The Art of Chaordic Leadership” CRBIC

What The Bible Says “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.” -- 1 Timothy 1:18, 19 CRBIC

What Is God Looking For In A Leader?  Spirituality – A person “after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:13, 14) – A life in harmony with God – A life sensitive to the things of God – A life with no hidden closets, no locked doors, nothing swept under the rug CRBIC

What Is God Looking For In A Leader?  Humility – A servant’s heart – Doing with all your might what God wants you to do right here, right now – Not caring who gets the credit—just so the task gets done CRBIC

What Is God Looking For In A Leader?  Integrity – “So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart...” (Ps. 78:72) – Deeply authentic thought and life – HEB = “complete, whole, innocent, having simplicity of life, wholesome, sound, unimpaired” – Bone-deep honesty CRBIC

Inner Dangers for Leaders  Distractions – Can invade daily prayer/Bible study – Can be spiritually dangerous – E.G. David in 2 Samuel 11:1f  Busyness – Can “crowd out” the important – “Tyranny of the urgent” CRBIC

What Jesus Said  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5) – Your inner life determines fruitfulness – Your inner life depends on “abiding” in Christ A “being-at-home-with” God Daily walking with God CRBIC

How To Walk With God Daily  Develop a continual sense of need of Jesus in your life – “There, but for the grace of God, go I!”  Develop a deep-down sense that Jesus is all I could ever need or want – SEE Psalm 73:25, 26, 28  Develop a daily prayer dependence on Jesus for everything CRBIC

Spiritual Pathways To God  Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas  About different ways people approach intimacy with God CRBIC

The Relational Pathway  Team-based approach to God  Needing other people around to getting close to God  See God in the dynamic of working, worshipping, praying, studying with others  Examples: most “caring” Christian leaders CRBIC

The Intellectual Pathway  Enriching and stimulating the mind to engage the heart  Thrilled with theological discovery  Seeking in-depth conversations, articles and books  Examples: Apostle Paul, Augustine, Calvin, Ravi Zacharias, Lee Strobel CRBIC

The Serving Pathway  Doing the work of God to get close to God  Consistently laboring in their gift-mix  Always looking for “something to do for God”  Example: Mother Theresa CRBIC

The Contemplative Pathway  Thrive on quietness, solitude, alone-times with God  Extremely sensitive to God at work around them  Reflection and meditation strengths  Often seem to be “out of the mainstream” of leadership  Examples: St. Francis of Assisi, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen CRBIC

The Activist Pathway  Always seeking the next challenge, the next “hill”  Choose a fast pace, exhausting to others  Have a lot of energy and often love multiple projects  Highly “driven” people  Examples: John Wesley, George Whitefield, Bill Hybels, John Maxwell CRBIC

The Creation Pathway  Relate best to God when around His creation/nature  See spiritual meaning and lessons from creation  Want large vistas, quiet brooks, serene mountains, and so forth  Example: Roy Goble, Christian Environmental Assoc. Chair/founder CRBIC

The Worship Pathway  Find closeness to God in vital, vibrant, Spirit-filled worship experiences  Drive and ride cars using worship tapes and CDs  Feel overcome with the presence of God in worship  Examples: David, Jack Hayford, John Wimber CRBIC

Using Your Pathway  Identify your most evident pathway to God – Do not compare your pathway to other leaders – Do not envy others in their pathways CRBIC

Using Your Pathway  “Lean into” your pathway – Experiment with it – Practice it without apology CRBIC

Using Your Pathway  Appreciate other pathways to God – Experiment with different approaches – See them as opportunities for growth CRBIC

Using Your Pathway Help others identify their pathway – Encourage them to experiment – Help them find and use their gift- mix CRBIC

The Bottom Line “Imagine the fruit that could be born, the creativity that could flow, the power that could be unleashed, if we were all regularly accessing the presence and power of God through the pathway that He’s designed for us. The church would truly become a force that the gates of hell could not hold back!” -- Bill Hybels, Courageous Leadership, p. 229 CRBIC

Your Turn Q&AQ&A CRBIC

Next Time “The Art of Self Leadership” (Chapter 9) “A Leader’s Prayer” (Chapter 10) CRBIC