Read God's Word

YouVersion

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Ten Commandments of Leadership

In scripture, we find the story of Moses ascending to the mount and returning with the Ten Commandments carved in stone. The children of Israel were to follow these commandments in order to be successful. If you are going to become an effective, successful leader, there are Ten Commandments you must carve into the tables of your heart.

1. Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
If you expect respect, you must display respect. No successful leader demands respect – they earn it. The way a leader treats his people reflects on his character. If he does not respect them, he won’t have them for long and a leader without people is not a leader.

2. You must set the example for others to follow.
Don’t expect your people to be on time if you are always running 30 minutes late. Leading by example is an important part of leadership. Don’t tell them how – show them how. If you want hardworking people, be a hard worker.

3. Become an active coach.
Don’t be known only as the man on the sideline yelling at your players. An active leader is involved somewhat with his people. He is not only known as the man who gives orders, but also is known as the man who can give a hand when needed.

4. Be an honest leader.
Honesty still is the best policy. If a leader is dishonest, his people will find out and then he will lose their trust. Dishonesty is not worth the price you must pay. Be honest in all your activities and in the long run, it will pay off.

5. Insisting on excellence.
Don’t settle for second best. Don’t accept half complete job assignments – hold your people accountable. If something doesn’t get done to the best of their ability, let them know you appreciate their efforts, however, they can and will do better.

6. The leader must build group cohesiveness and pride.
Team spirit is a must. It is amazing how things can be accomplished if a group will join together. Make each person feel just as important to the success of the project as anyone else.

7. Show confidence in your people.
If they know you believe in them, then they will believe in themselves, thereby producing greater results. If you have no confidence in your people, they will lose confidence in you and you will eventually lose them. Believe in them and they will believe in you.

8. Maintain a strong sense of urgency.
Know the importance of having the job done when it is due. Put the pressure on. The pressure will force concentrated efforts on their part, producing good work.

9. Be available to your people.
If they need to talk, you need to be there for them. You need to be visible so they know you do more than just sit there, doing nothing, and taking all the credit.

10. Develop yourself.
It is very important that you (the leader) never become status quo. The average man will be the one that works in the factory, not the one who owns the factory. Don’t ever quit; continue on to great success. Always try to be a little bit better. Being a leader isn’t an easy journey, but it is well worth it.

Yours because of Calvary,
In service of the King,
Elder J. Andres Vazquez
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

About Me

My photo
I'm just, a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody who can save anybody. First I want to give love to the Father for giving me the opportunity to be an instrument for him to live in and live through for the glory that belongs to only him and Him alone. I served in the United States Navy for twenty one years and retired September 2003. During the last 3 years of my naval career, I served as co-pastor of Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada under the tutelage of Pastor Gregory L. Brown. While there, I diligently served my pastor and church with the construction of a new sanctuary, and caring for the needs of all ministries, while simultaneously striving to stay focused on the mandate that the Lord had placed upon my life to preach the Word of God without compromise. I was licensed to preach November 2002 and Ordained June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, I proudly served and as constituent of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for seventeen years under the leadership of Bishop Elect W. D. Scott, Sr. and presently serve under the leadership of Bishop B. Courtney McBath at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.