Rediscovering Leadership: The Soul's Role in Guidance
Summary
In our journey to rediscover leadership, we must first ask ourselves a fundamental question: "How's your soul doing?" This question, inspired by John Ortberg's book "Soul Keeping," challenges us to consider the health of our inner being as we lead. Leadership is not just about strategic thinking or building effective teams; it's about who we are becoming in the process. In today's complex world, where challenges like racism, political polarization, and financial instability abound, the need for authentic, soul-centered leadership is more critical than ever.
Reflecting on the history of the church, we see that it has often thrived in times of adversity. From the persecution faced by early Christians to the challenges of modern times, the church has always been at its best when it has had to rely deeply on God. This reliance fosters a unique kind of leadership—one that is cruciform, or cross-shaped. This style of leadership, modeled by Jesus, is characterized by self-sacrifice, humility, and a deep understanding of human nature.
Unfortunately, many of us have been influenced by corporate definitions of leadership, which often overshadow the example set by Jesus. We must remember that Jesus was not only a spiritual leader but also a master of every craft, including leadership. His life and teachings provide a blueprint for leading with integrity and purpose. As we navigate the complexities of modern leadership, we must look to Jesus as our ultimate guide and teacher.
The world is hungry for leaders who can exercise dominion in a way that reflects God's image—leaders who serve rather than dominate. This is a time for the church to rise and demonstrate what true leadership looks like. As we embrace this calling, we must continually ask ourselves if we have accepted Jesus not only as our Savior but also as our teacher and leader.
Key Takeaways:
1. Soul-Centered Leadership: True leadership begins with the health of our soul. It's essential to ask ourselves how our soul is doing, as this inner health influences our ability to lead effectively. A leader's character and spiritual formation are as important as their strategic skills. [00:40]
2. Thriving in Adversity: The church has historically thrived in times of adversity, relying on God when resources were scarce. This reliance fosters a unique kind of leadership that is deeply rooted in faith and resilience. In challenging times, leaders are called to embrace uncertainty and trust in God's provision. [04:23]
3. Cruciform Leadership: Jesus exemplified a cross-shaped leadership style characterized by self-sacrifice, humility, and deep understanding. This model challenges conventional leadership paradigms and calls us to lead with integrity and purpose, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal gain. [11:18]
4. Rediscovering Jesus as Leader: Many have lost sight of Jesus as a leader and teacher, focusing instead on corporate leadership models. Rediscovering Jesus as the master leader involves recognizing his wisdom and authority in all aspects of life, including leadership. [14:16]
5. Servant Leadership: True leadership is a form of servanthood, reflecting God's image and purpose for humanity. Leaders are called to serve rather than dominate, exercising dominion in a way that liberates and empowers others. This approach aligns with the biblical vision of leadership as a means of bringing about God's kingdom on earth. [16:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to ReDiscover Leadership
- [00:40] - The Importance of a Healthy Soul
- [01:19] - Inviting Others into the Conversation
- [02:10] - The Missing Element in Leadership
- [02:50] - Challenges in Today's World
- [03:56] - The Best Time for Ministry
- [05:07] - Historical Context of Church Challenges
- [06:18] - Jesus' Early Life and Ministry
- [07:14] - Persecution in the Early Church
- [08:09] - Corporate vs. Jesus' Leadership
- [09:14] - Jesus as a Smart Leader
- [10:31] - The Cross as a Leadership Symbol
- [11:18] - Cruciform Leadership Explained
- [12:07] - Seeking Clarity in Leadership
- [13:18] - Historical Split in Church Views
- [14:16] - Rediscovering Jesus as Teacher and Leader
- [15:09] - The Drive for Significance
- [16:21] - Servant Leadership in Creation
- [17:03] - The Leadership Industrial Complex
- [18:50] - The Need for Authentic Leadership
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Rediscovering Leadership
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 20:25-28 - Jesus teaches about servant leadership.
2. Philippians 2:5-8 - The humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus.
3. Romans 8:19-21 - Creation's longing for the revelation of God's children.
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest is the fundamental question we should ask ourselves as leaders? How does this question relate to the health of our soul? [00:40]
2. How has the church historically thrived in times of adversity, according to the sermon? What role does reliance on God play in this context? [04:23]
3. What is meant by "cruciform leadership," and how does it challenge conventional leadership paradigms? [11:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between corporate leadership models and the leadership model exemplified by Jesus? [09:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "soul-centered leadership" influence the way one leads others? Why is it important to prioritize the health of one's soul in leadership? [00:40]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that adversity can be an opportunity for growth and reliance on God? How might this perspective change one's approach to leadership challenges? [04:23]
3. How does the sermon define "servant leadership," and what are the implications of this leadership style for both leaders and those they lead? [16:21]
4. What does it mean to rediscover Jesus as a leader and teacher, and how might this shift one's understanding of effective leadership? [14:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the question, "How's your soul doing?" How can you regularly assess and nurture the health of your soul to enhance your leadership? [00:40]
2. Think of a recent challenge you faced in leadership. How did you rely on God during that time, and what can you learn from the church's historical reliance on God in adversity? [04:23]
3. Consider the concept of cruciform leadership. How can you incorporate self-sacrifice and humility into your leadership style this week? [11:18]
4. Identify one area where you have been influenced by corporate leadership models. How can you shift your focus to align more closely with Jesus' example of leadership? [09:01]
5. How can you practice servant leadership in your current role? What specific actions can you take to serve those you lead rather than dominate them? [16:21]
6. Reflect on your view of Jesus as a leader. How can you deepen your understanding of His teachings and apply them to your leadership approach? [14:16]
7. In what ways can you exercise dominion in your leadership that reflects God's image and purpose? How can this approach bring about positive change in your community or organization? [15:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Soul Health as Leadership Foundation
True leadership begins with the health of our soul. It's essential to ask ourselves how our soul is doing, as this inner health influences our ability to lead effectively. A leader's character and spiritual formation are as important as their strategic skills. In a world filled with challenges, maintaining a healthy soul allows leaders to navigate complexities with integrity and purpose. By focusing on the well-being of our inner being, we can lead others with authenticity and compassion, reflecting the values we hold dear. [00:40]
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, ESV)
Reflection: Consider the current state of your soul. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to nurture and care for your inner being?
Day 2: Resilience Through Adversity
The church has historically thrived in times of adversity, relying on God when resources were scarce. This reliance fosters a unique kind of leadership that is deeply rooted in faith and resilience. In challenging times, leaders are called to embrace uncertainty and trust in God's provision. By doing so, they can inspire others to remain steadfast and hopeful, even when circumstances seem dire. This resilience is not just about enduring hardships but about growing stronger and more faithful through them. [04:23]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith influence your response, and what did you learn about resilience through that experience?
Day 3: Embracing Cruciform Leadership
Jesus exemplified a cross-shaped leadership style characterized by self-sacrifice, humility, and deep understanding. This model challenges conventional leadership paradigms and calls us to lead with integrity and purpose, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal gain. By following Jesus' example, leaders can create environments where people feel valued and empowered. This approach not only transforms organizations but also aligns with the biblical vision of leadership as a means of serving others. [11:18]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a situation where you can practice cruciform leadership by prioritizing the needs of others. How can you demonstrate humility and self-sacrifice in this context?
Day 4: Rediscovering Jesus as the Ultimate Leader
Many have lost sight of Jesus as a leader and teacher, focusing instead on corporate leadership models. Rediscovering Jesus as the master leader involves recognizing his wisdom and authority in all aspects of life, including leadership. By studying his life and teachings, we can gain insights into leading with integrity, wisdom, and compassion. This perspective challenges us to align our leadership practices with the values and principles exemplified by Jesus. [14:16]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" (Matthew 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current leadership style. How can you incorporate the teachings and example of Jesus into your approach to leadership?
Day 5: Servant Leadership as a Reflection of God's Image
True leadership is a form of servanthood, reflecting God's image and purpose for humanity. Leaders are called to serve rather than dominate, exercising dominion in a way that liberates and empowers others. This approach aligns with the biblical vision of leadership as a means of bringing about God's kingdom on earth. By serving others, leaders can create a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. [16:21]
"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all." (Mark 10:43-44, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can serve someone in your community or workplace today. How can this act of service reflect God's love and purpose?
Quotes
"How's your soul doing?" Unfortunately, I didn't realize the importance of a healthy soul in the life of a leader. Now through mutual friends, I got introduced to John, and over the past couple of years, we've had multiple conversations where we talked about leadership and spiritual formation and the importance of both of those worlds. [00:40]
I think the church has always been at its best when it has the least, and from the very beginning when it got started but no resources, no connections, no power, and there was a way in which it depended deeply on God. [04:14]
The church grew during that time. Why have we forgotten that? The last couple of years for me and our family have been a really difficult one, and one of the things that struck me as I was just reflecting on that was to think in the New Testament. [06:18]
We are the inheritors of a movement that was born under tremendous danger, and it's been God at work in the face of huge opposition that's made it clear that the church is not a human enterprise. [07:47]
I know that I've relied on, I don't know if you want to call it corporate definitions of leadership or just which I received a lot of good from, but I think it was in great omission Thomas Wheeler's book he talks about we don't picture Jesus in these roles of leadership. [08:09]
Dallas Willard would often say a real important aspect of Jesus is you have to realize he was a really smart guy, and yeah, we don't talk about him that way. No, we don't. We don't. We talk about his patience, we talk about his grace, we talk about how much he loves us and forgives us. [09:14]
Cruciform or a cross-shaped cross-formed style of leadership that turns everything upside down, and that's part of why it is so essential that we think of Jesus as the master leader and the master of the craft of leadership and the one from whom we must learn how to lead. [11:18]
The rediscovery of Jesus, so that folks would often be asking the tradition that I grew up have you made Jesus have you accepted him as your savior but not have you accepted him as your teacher. [14:16]
The reason that we're so hungry for leadership reflects the reality that we were made in God's image to exercise dominion, and exercising dominion does not mean lording it over people, and that's where again we start with Jesus. [16:21]
The leader is the servant, and to lead is simply a form of servanthood when it's done rightly, and all of creation is waiting for that. You look at Romans 8, all of creation groans for the revelation of the children of God so they can be liberated from its bondage to decay. [16:49]
If we're spending 87 billion dollars a year to train leaders and we seem to be making so little progress at producing great leaders who are helping our world and the church and culture flourish, maybe we need to look to somebody else to help us understand what leadership is. [18:50]
The carpenter from Nazareth remains available. [19:08]
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