11 Practices Of Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50

August 6, 2013 2 Comments

Andy Stanley once made the observation that few if any great ideas ever come from anyone over the age of 45.  As a 47-year-old man, his statement has remained imprinted on my mind.  Upon hearing it, I made the decision to read more books, experience many new things, create more memories, be a continual learner and constantly think outside the box while remaining true to my core beliefs.
Unless we as leaders are diligent in our personal growth, there will come a time when even our best ideas and approaches will become outdated.
That is why I am watching 54-year-old Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery with great interest this year.  He appears to have a healthy mix of old and new school techniques.
On August 2nd, Bill Barnwell of Grantland.com did an amazing job profiling Emery.  After reading the article, I gleaned 11 Practices Of Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50.  You can read the full article by clicking here.

1. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Use Their Proven Strengths – Do not deny the skills and abilities you bring to an organization.  Leverage the proven strengths of your background, experience, open-mindedness, and work ethic.
2. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Honor The Past While Moving Into The Future - Shortly after taking over the role of GM, Emery elected not to retain the services of Bears icons Brian Urlacher and head coach Lovie Smith.
3. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Respect Their Audience – Most old-school general managers speak in clichés and say as little as possible.  Emery’s press conferences are considered more like fireside chats.  He understands today’s audiences are more educated and deserve to be treated as such.
4. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Explain The Process Behind Their Decisions - Because the audience is educated, Emery explained Smith’s inability to construct a successful offense during his tenure as head coach.  During his nine years as a head coach, they had a Top 15 offense only once.
5. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Remain Faithful To Their Process - It is important to believe in your long-term plan.  This allows you to avoid overconfidence during good times and not panic during unproductive periods.
6. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Ensure The Success Of Your Top Performers – You must identify your top talent and put them in positions to be successful.  One of Emery’s first priorities was surrounding star quarterback Jay Cutler with as much talent as possible.
7. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Take Risks – Unsuccessful leaders stay with people and processes longer than they should.  They wonder, “What will happen without them?”  Successful leaders make tough decisions and embrace the unknown.
8. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Widen The Decisions Circle - Emery hired Mitch Tanney as Director of Analytics.  This widens his decision circle and allows him to listen to alternative viewpoints.
9. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Pair Veteran Talent With Young Talent – This brings both experience and creativity to the decision process which gives the organization a more sustainable future.
10. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Lower Their Egos While Increasing Their Patience - Despite their experience, successful leaders understand they do not know it all.   They are willing to admit to the younger people on their team they are needed and have unique insights which are desperately needed.  Then they must be willing to live with some mistakes.
11. Highly Successful Leaders Over The Age Of 50 Hire Talented People – For all the quality things Emery brings as a seasoned GM, his success will ultimately be determined by his decision to replace the successful Lovie Smith with Marc Trestman.  If Trestman’s tenure as head coach is viewed as a failure, so will Emery’s tenure as general manager.

Many new general managers embrace the Moneyball approach with the use of sabermetrics. analytics and not just out-of-the-box thinking but creating a brand new box altogether.  Emery balances those modern techniques with old-skill principles.  If the Bears have a good year, he will be a model for how all seasoned leaders should lead.
If you are over 50 years of age, what practices have you implemented to be successful?

13 Practices Of Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations

By: Brian Dodd

August 5, 2013 0 Comments

Is your church or organization needing to reverse negative momentum?  Even worse, is it possible your church or organization is bankrupt or dying?  If so, have you put into place practices that could rescue your dying church or organization?
Best practices from one industry are often portable to church environments.  Truth is truth.  In today’s edition of USA Today, General Motors CEO Daniel Akerson is profiled.  Ackerman took over a bankrupt organization who many thought had seen its best days and made $25 billion.
Akerson, an electrical engineer and Naval officer, is passionate about leadership.  His lessons on turning GM around are extremely applicable to pastors, church leaders, and anyone responsible for leading sports and non-profits.
The following are 13 leadership practices gleaned from the article which you can read in full by clicking here.  The existence or your church or organization could depend on your ability to implement these practices.

1. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Address Issues – Executives are quickly addressing mediocre Malibu sales by installing new interiors.  In addition, the price for Volt electric cars have been reduced to increase their sales.
2. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Connect With Their People – Alan Merten, president emeritus of George Mason University, says, “Everywhere he’s been you see pictures of him with employees.  He’s a reminder that management is a contact sport.”
3. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Always Have Doubters – Gerald Myers, professor at University of Michigan, points out, “Put me in the category of being doubtful.  He’s blessed with a burgeoning market, and he’s blessed by having a line of products designed, primarily, long before he arrived.”
4. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Are Committed To A Long-Term Plan – Akerson says, “you can’t live on a crisis mode…(You have) to articulate that vision, and a strategy what you want to accomplish.”
5. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Make Difficult Decisions – Courage is essential to successful leadership.  Akerson had to change many in GM’s senior leadership.  Meyers noted that Akerson “pulled no punches in changing the people who, in his mind, needed to be changed.”
6. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Are Passionate About Continual Improvement – Akerson said, “I was told one time when I asked about quality: ‘It’s as good as anyone else’s.’  Well, when I was in school and if I’d have come home and told my dad I did as well as everybody else – a ‘C’ didn’t cut it.  What are we going to do to improve?’
7. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Do Not Make Excuses –  Excellence is not an option.  Akerson frequently tells engineers and product planners who explain why things can’t be done to “Figure it out.  No more excuses.”
8. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Question The Status Quo – All successful leaders understand to get result not previously achieved you have to implement new practices.  Akerson ended some core GM products such as expensive powertrains.
9. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Immediately Implement Good Ideas – There is also a difference between sensing opportunity and seizing it.  Why wait to implement good ideas?  Akerson noted it is often smaller, more nimble organizations who create and capitalize on fresh technology.  GM was not putting any new patents to commercial use.  He once asked for “three or four things that are in the cars today that we invented in the past 10 years.  There weren’t any.”
10. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Install Good Systems – Akerson addressed the important but less visible areas of technology and accounting.
11. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Have Necessary Funerals – Some business practices, and ministries, need to be allowed to end.  Akerson said, “We’re not going to sustain operations in the business that continually lose.”
12. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Are Critics – Successful leaders are relentless in their pursuit of excellence.  Akerson said, “You have to be a patient and constructive critic.”
13. Leaders Who Save Dying Organizations Remember Why They Are There – “Fundamentally, I’ve got to run a business that’s going to turn profits.”

Pastors and church leaders, Akerson knows he is there to produce a profit.  Do you now why you are at your church?

The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 29th

By: Brian  Dodd

August 2, 2013 1 Comment

Christian leadership is in a very intensive phase currently.  In reality, it has never been any other way but lately the stakes seem higher than normal.  The posts below contain words and phrases like Rarely, Mistake, Jerk, Health, Why Didn’t Jesus, Success, and Millenials Leaving.
The following are The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read The Week Of July 29th.  Check them out.  They will challenge you as a leader.

1. 14 Hints On Adding New Service Times From 13 Leaders Who Did It by Rich Birch
2. What Teams Rarely Rise Beyond The Level Of Their Leader by Phil Cooke via www.Pastors.com
3. The #1 Mistake In Sales by Casey Graham
4. Humility…Just One Way To Avoid Being A Jerk by Derwin Gray
5. 10 Leadership Lessons Learned From My Blog Commenters by Joseph Lalonde
6. Four Keys To Planning For Church Health by Thom Rainer
7. Why Didn’t Jesus Do More by Geoff Surratt
8. The Trouble With Johnny Manziel by ESPN author Wright Thompson
9. 10 Variables To Achieve Maximum Success by Scott Williams
10. Why Millenials Are Leaving The Church: A Response To Rachel Held Evans by Trevin Wax

That is my Top 10 for the week.  What additional posts would you add?

The One Piece Of Advice I Would Give Johnny Manziel And All Leaders With Increasing Influence

By: Brian Dodd

http://youtu.be/JDKPsCyM_Ow 

August 4, 2013 3 Comments

About a decade we were all praying the Prayer Of Jabez.  We asked God to enlarge our borders, increase our territory, and expand our influence.  We still pray this.  So what happens if God actually does it?
I have much compassion for Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.  One year ago he was a redshirt freshman just trying to earn a starting job.  Today, he is a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback and one of the most famous people in America.  That is quite a change in visibility and popularity for a 20-year-old young man.
I cringe when I think of the maturity level and emotional capacity I possessed at age 20.  If there were to be a sea of people following me with cameras and cell phones to Economics class on a daily basis, let’s just say I would be the lead story on SportsCenter basically every evening.  I would have been an embarrassment to myself, my family, the school, and my Lord.  I don’t condone Manziel’s partying but I have compassion for him.
While Manziel provides a quite visible and extreme example of celebrity, all leaders with growing platforms are susceptible to the dangers of their growing influence.  The notoriety, the demands of your time, trust issues, people tugging at you, and increased opportunity cause changes not only in your lifestyle and psyche but those you love as well.
On the same day Wright Thompson of ESPN wrote his amazing article The Trouble With Johnny, I read the following in my devotional time:
“The report went around concerning Him (Jesus) all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.  So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” – Luke 5:15-16
Did you notice the progression of these verses:

• Jesus healed a man of leprosy in the previous verses.
• The reports of Him spread.
• Great multitudes began to appear.
• Great multitudes wanted a piece of Him.
• Then Jesus often withdrew and prayed.

Using Jesus as an example, as the intensity of a leader’s platform grows, the leader must have equal intensity for times of retreat, solitude, and spending time in prayer with God.
Once again, I cannot imagine what it is like to be Johnny Manziel and don’t even pretend to understand his level of celebrity.  But if I could give him one piece of advice (not like everyone in world already is), I would say the following:
“Johnny, I can’t imagine the challenges you are facing with your popularity.  But I know Jesus understands.  He has been there.  And I have it under good authority He would say something like this to you:
‘Johnny, first I want you to know that I love you more than you can imagine.  When my popularity began to soar, there were just times I needed to retreat to a place of solitude and pray all night.  Johnny, when the crowds get crazy and you think there is nowhere to hide, you’re wrong.  You can go into the woods, go to your parent’s house, or just go somewhere quiet and call me.  I don’t want anything from you except just to hang out. But get away from the crowd.  Get some solitude.  Get some space and margin to reflect and just talk to me.  I’d listen and I’d fill you with what you need to handle the popularity.  Without me, the demands of celebrity will absolutely consume you.  I would hate for that to happen.  I’ve got a better plan that you would love.’”
That is good advice for not only Johnny Manziel but all leaders with growing influence.  Jesus modeled that solitude and times of prayer are the only things that will sustain our increasing leadership responsibilities.  Apart from Jesus and time with Him, our growing influence can consume us.
Can you relate?  How are you managing your increasing level of influence?

24 Hall Of Fame Leadership Quotes From Bill Parcells

by:Brian Dodd

August 3, 2013 0 Comments

Tonight legendary head coach Bill Parcells was inducted into the NFL’s Hall of Fame.  Coach Parcells retired as a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants.  He also did a tremendous job of turning around the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Dallas Cowboys.
Coach Parcells is also one the greatest talent evaluators in NFL history.
The following are the leadership quotes from his induction speech that we all can learn from:
Quotes From Sal Paolantonio Interview At The Show’s Beginning 

1. “He was 100% supportive of his own teammates, the coaching staff, and the organization.” – Parcells on George Martin.  Martin, who inducted Parcells, was the team’s captain and player rep.
2. “This is a substantial tribute and the highest recognition you can get in this industry.”

Induction Quotes 

1. “We knew there was a new sheriff in town the day he arrived.”
2. “I am a football coach period.”
3. “His football IQ is unprecedented.  He is an absolute master of identifying talent.”
4. “Bill Parcells looked at each individually differently and knew how to get the best out of them.”
5. “Bill was in in-your-face coach and a perfectionist.”
6. “The man is a definitive winner…It didn’t matter where Bill went.  He made teams relevant.”
7. “The true measure of Bill is the results.”

Acceptance Speech Quotes

1. “Without that support (from George Martin) I wouldn’t be here tonight.”
2. “Commitment has varying degrees in the NFL.”
3. “I’ve seen coaches fired very quickly because the situation did not allow them to succeed.”
4. “The nuts and bolts of football operations are your assistant coaches.”
5. “I had the exact right kind of players, the right kind of personalities, understood my personality, and bought into our program.”
6. “Mondays are Blue Mondays in NFL no matter if you won or lost.  Something bad always happens.”
7. “A coach should not be talked to on Monday because they’re not worth talking to on Mondays.”
8. “The players deserve a chance to win.  And you as the head coach have an obligatory responsibility to give it to them.”
9. “The locker room is a great laboratory for human behavior.” – Steve Young
10. “The acceptance of the locker room is to contribute to the greater good.  And if you’re committed to the greater good, you will be readily accepted.”
11. “There are a lot of exit doors in pro football.”
12. “Accountability is at a premium in great players.”
13. “When you lift the championship trophy, there is a kinship formed.”
14. “I wish all of American society could have experienced what I experienced.  It is a priceless education.”
15. “Loser assemble in little groups and complain about the coaches and players in other little groups.  Winners assemble as a team.” – Emlen Tunnell

What do think of Coach Parcell’s comments?

20 Hall Of Fame Leadership Quotes From Chris Carter

by: Brian Dodd

August 3, 2013 0 Comments

This evening’s final speaker to be inducted into the NFL’s Hall of Fame was wide receiver Chris Carter.  Carter retired as the game’s second all-time leading receiver.  He had 130 touchdown receptions and eight consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons.
His comments were emotional and very moving.
The following were the leadership quotes from his induction speech that we all can learn from:
Quotes From Sal Paolantonio Interview At The Show’s Beginning 

1. “In high school I was just so excited to get on the field.”
2. “They’re not giving these jackets away.  You have to do something significant to get one.”
3. “I’m just happy for my mom…I’m a parent.  You have a lot of sleepless nights.”

Induction Quotes by Duron Carter

1. “The first thing that comes to mind with Chris Carter is intense.”
2. “He was a Pro Bowler every year just by grinding it out.”
3. “It’s not about the number of catches but the quality.”
4. “A lot of players look to my dad for guidance.”
5. “He’s made the receiver position better.”

Acceptance Speech Quotes

1. “To join these men on this stage in football heaven is the greatest day of my life.”
2. “I never won any championships but played on a lot of good teams.”
3. “I sincerely apologize for signing with an agent and missing my senior year.  Ohio State, I’m sorry.”
4. “Don’t cut Chris Carter.  He’s going to do something special with his life.” – Buddy Ryan’s wife
5. “Everyone of these guys (in the HOF) talk about 4-5 people they have met on their way to football heaven.”
6. “Mom, I’m sorry for the bumpy ride and the bumpy flight.  But momma, it’s a smooth landing.  Sit down, you’re in the Hall of Fame.”
7. “You have a better chance to be Lynn Swann than Isaiah Thomas.” – Carter’s H.S. coach Bill Connelly
8. “Since September 19th, 1990 I have not had a drink.”
9. “Reggie White when I was 22 was the first man to tell me he loved me.”
10. “I won’t apologize.  I love God with all my heart.”
11. “I love my family and I love my friends who stuck with me.”
12. “I love football.  This game gave me identity.  It gave me a sense of purpose.”

What do think of Carter’s comments?

THE LEADERSHIP MATURITY KEY

THE LEADERSHIP MATURITY KEY

(c) Morris E. Ruddick

"He who rules his own spirit is mightier than he who takes a city." Prov 16:32

We have entered times described by the Bible as when the "nations rage." In the midst of the mounting turmoil those known by His Name must adhere to a higher standard. Likewise, when paving new ground in this setting, much more by way of discernment and wisdom is required. The task of one of employing righteous power in corrupt settings. The issue is one of leadership, mature leadership. The bar has been raised.

Biblical leadership requires a high-level of self-discipline. With it is the ability to grasp and perform well two primary tenets: 1) the accomplishment of the mission and 2) the welfare of those being led.

In keeping with the military standard used in the opening scripture, a non-Marine combat reporter (Thomas Ricks, Making the Corps, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2007) made an unusual observation after an extended first-hand study of Marines operating in combat. Trained in the teamwork and discipline needed to achieve often impossible tasks, Ricks described those in the junior enlisted ranks as men who in the world would not have been given the responsibility to run a copier. Yet, in instance after instance in life and death situations, they demonstrated the maturity and presence of mind to know what to do in leading others.

"Greater love has no one than this, than a man give up his life for his friend."  

John 15:13

This standard reflects a culture of discipline that engenders a society of trust. Yet, at a point when the Body should be operating as a society of leaders, it falls short of this standard and too often is embroiled in disorder, discord and diversions.

Some Kingdom leadership issues involve maturity. Some are matters of experience. The bottom line for each is the norm of ruling your own spirit.

Two friends I admire are each Kingdom leaders. One has the unique ability to see God's blueprint in a person and draw it forth. The other equally proficient as a leader has a tendency, when things don't seem to measure up, to see the devil's blueprint and then works to stamp it out. The way of the world is the survival of the fittest. However, Kingdom leadership bears a greater responsibility.

Within the parameters of Truth and good stewardship is the wisdom and balance of a leadership to nurture. It is a key part of what distinguishes us from the world. The way of the Kingdom always offers Life for both the mission and the people involved.

The friend whose mode is to discern God's blueprint is fearless in terms of penetrating enemy territory and of taking risks when convinced God is involved. It is the approach evidenced by Jesus during His earthly ministry.

"The Son can do nothing of Himself, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does also." John 5:19

In contrast, Jesus' scrutiny of the Pharisee's nit-picking approach to leadership indicated that their blindness was impeding the way for others.

"Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you shut off the Kingdom of God from men. You neither go in yourselves nor do you allow those entering to go in."

Matt 23:13

Beyond the Natural

Jesus' response to the Pharisees punctuates the truth that leadership is not about getting people to conform. Nor is it about judgment. As soon as the judgment factor arises, Jesus urged caution and warned that we would find ourselves in danger of being judged.

"Judge not, that you not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured back to you." Matt 7:1-2

Kingdom leadership contains responsibilities and requirements beyond the best our natural capabilities offer. It takes discipline and the maturity of ruling ones own spirit to wield.

Kingdom leadership incorporates stewardship. It's about wisely managing risk in order to leverage opportunity and increase. It's about nurturing and enabling the gifts operating within one's community. Leadership requires a responsible trustworthiness that simultaneously inspires and guides for the common good. It sets things in order, God's order.

Stewardship. Jesus' parable of the talents depicts leadership as emerging from the application of wise stewardship. Good stewardship embraces responsibility and builds from it. In this parable, the one who minimized their risks and didn't make ANY mistakes, but in so doing also minimized their increase, was deemed a "wicked servant" On the other hand, the one who brought increase was given promotion and more responsibility (Matt 25:26). So it is that the principles of stewardship are central to Kingdom leadership.

Leveraging Increase. Leadership maps out, builds up and brings increase. In another instance, Jesus told the story about the merchant who discovered a pearl of great value. He risked all that he had in order to leverage opportunity to acquire the pearl of great value (Matt 13:46). Kingdom leadership adapts and manages the change needed to take and navigate the pathway into significant opportunity.

Enabling Gifts. Paul wrote the Romans of his deep desire to play a role in advancing the will of God in their lives by imparting a spiritual gift to them. Paul understood biblical community with a depth that came from His Jewish heritage. Understanding ones gifts and how that fits into their role in the community is very central to being "the light on a hill" that Jesus indicated we would be to the world around us.

"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established." Rom 1:11

Trustworthiness. Understanding the difference between giving people what they "want" versus nurturing their roles, while raising the bar to serve the common good is pivotal to sound leadership. When done consistently, trustworthiness will result. Trustworthy leaders are foundational to the operation of biblical community.

God's Order. Jesus said that you would know them by their fruit. When God's order is operating it bears good fruit. It brings increase. It nurtures the gifts. It draws others because the fruit is evident to all. Isaac sowed in famine and yielded a harvest because God told him to do so. Everyone witnessed God's hand being on Isaac.

Reckless Disregard

However, there is a reckless disregard operating within leadership circles that short-circuits the standard needed for the Body to be properly navigating the snares and hurdles in today's world. It is a myopia that fails to see either the process or the progress.

The story of the young prophet from Judah (1 Kings 13) sent to the King of Israel illustrates a short-sightedness, that misses the forest for the trees, which has become almost as a plague today. In this story the young prophet clearly wielded a prophetic gift and the power of God, but was so blinded by his focus on his own return that he missed the real opportunity with the King of Israel, and due to his personal concerns was entrapped by the very warning the Lord had made so clear to him.

This sad story illustrates the myopic blinding that needs to be guarded against among those deemed most gifted. It represents an irresponsible, reckless disregard for God's priorities due to overriding soulish obsessions. James admonishes the double-minded to purify their hearts.

God's standard for leadership carries an awe necessitating an ongoing poise of the spirit before Him. It cannot emulate the world nor reflect a blended approach. It is a standard that roots out the precepts of men and the cleverness of the clever. It gives no place to deceit or the lust for power. It is the standard that eliminates the need for striving and ambition, because of being immersed in the flow of the Spirit.

This standard applied opens the gates for a safe place where the gifts flow naturally, in unison and harmony to the benefit of all. When this norm is met, it offers the potential described by the Church at Philadelphia in Revelations: keys to open doors that no one can shut and shuts doors that no one can open.

Operating with this standard requires an understanding of what distinguishes the function of leading from the gift of leadership. A lack of understanding and misapplication of the gifts creates confusion and dissatisfaction; with disorder and discord following. The requirements of leadership vary according to the uniqueness of the gifts of its leaders.

Similarly, managing resources and projects is very different from leading people. The Romans 12 leadership gift flows with both influence and authority, without the need of position. On the other hand, the gift of administration in 1 Cor 12:28 specializes in the management of resources. Joseph the Patriarch operated in both. Within the function of leading are diversities of applications, again based on the gifts of those serving as the leaders.

The bottom line is the issue between soul and spirit. This is the cause of much confusion within the ranks of believers. Those who try to employ the spirit to nurture their soul-longings are out of God's order. The priorities are upside down. The standard for leadership requires raising the bar.

"The Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matt 20:28

A Culture of Discipline and Trust

In his riveting "Trust: Social Virtues and Creation of Prosperity," an analysis of social economics, Francis Fukuyama notes that economic life cannot be divorced from cultural life. He contends that in an era when social capital may be as important as physical capital, only those societies with a high degree of social trust will have what is needed to compete in the new global economy. High levels of trust based on cooperative behavior and shared norms are foundational to maximizing the economic potential of a society.

Fukuyama's views make a case for the reason the Jewish people have survived the civilizations that have come and gone over the millennia. As a culture within a culture, their foundation is a model of biblical community and a culture of discipline that engenders a society of trust.

Spiritual Maintenance

Jesus cautioned of days in which the very elect would be subject to being deceived. Peter warned those who indulge in corrupt desires and despise the authority over them. The gravity of the times calls deep to deep and shouts for the need to spiritually overcompensate.

Spiritual maintenance for leaders cannot be confined to devotional readings or corporate devotions. The defilements of the day must be compensated for and refreshed by a regular washing in the Word of Truth and interactive prayer vigils. Proactive personal time with the Lord must be carved out of the busiest schedules. David Wilkerson had a mature local ministry that went viral, when he obeyed the promptings of the Spirit and began spending an extra hour in prayer each night at midnight.

The Apostle Paul frequently in his letters makes a case for the importance of discipline needed as believers. Again and again he uses the analogy of running a race. There's no coasting for those at the forefront of the spiritual drama unfolding in this day. Peter admonishes leaders to clothe themselves with humility. The calling of leadership demands vigilance and diligence. Likewise, the book of Hebrews indicates the need to check our priorities and maintain the attentiveness needed to rule your own spirit in maturity.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us." Heb 12:1 Amp

It is a time for true leaders to redirect their attention from issues of soul and position and into the realm of service. It is a time when ruling ones own spirit will yield not only the power to serve as Jesus admonished in Matt 20:28, with the valor and capacity of those willing to give up their lives as a ransom for many; but with it, embracing the joy and contentment of truly being in the flow of His business.

"Then the fool will no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful. The schemes of the schemer are evil; devising wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, despite the needy speaking justice. The generous man devises generous plans, and by generosity he shall stand." Isaiah 32: 5-8

___________________________________________________

Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world.

He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" and "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets.  

Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the least of these our brethren. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or email us at sign@strategicintercession.org for access information on our secure web-site.

2013 Copyright Morris Ruddick - sign@strategicintercession.org

Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check: http://www.strategicintercession.org