Resistance is a natural companion of leaders. Leadership assumes opposition. It assumes breaking new ground and overcoming obstacles. Challenge and “being in over our heads” is where we live as leaders.
To have a successful 2012 leaders need awareness and not be naive. The following are seven surprising roadblocks provided by my Senior Pastor Crawford Loritts along with supporting comments (some counter-intuitive) that are vital for all leaders to integrate into their lives.
1. The Future
- In the Bible, the parents of Moses believed God had something more special for their baby than death.
- Leaders don’t acquiesce or back down.
- Homes should be the first leadership classroom.
- Don’t let the unknown frighten you. God is always taking Christian leaders to a better place than where they are.
2. Privilege and Comfort
- True leadership holds the right values. Circumstances, even good ones, aren’t superior to leaders with character.
3. Security
- Avoid people pleasing. You cannot lead people you are afraid of.
4. Disobedience
- Christian leaders do not have the prerogative to do God’s work their own way.
- Pride and fear are the two reasons leaders do not obey God.
- The very thing God is telling you to do as a leader may save your leadership or your life.
5. Doom or Dread
- Christian leaders should always remember that God is fighting for them.
6. Logic
- Christian leaders to be cognisant that sometimes God does not make sense to us but makes sense to himself.
- Andy Stanley tells us that “Leadership is stewardship. It is temporary.” God may change His leader but not His mode of operation.
7. Our Past
- We are often in a prison of shame from past mistakes. Christian leaders need to remember that the cross takes care of this guilt.
As a leader, which of these seven roadblocks do you need to confront in 2012?
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