A Leadership Model - A Manifesto

In the face of certain aspects of my job which have challenged my values, I though I would create this manifesto originally inspired by I Thessalonians 5:15-22 but pointed out to me by my wife as she was teaching different students and used this passage as her guideline. I have been amazed at how often over the past 5 days this has come up and I have been able to refer to it.

– A Model for Leadership--- A Manifesto

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (I Thessalonians 5:12-22)

• I will seek to respect all individuals I work with, both those who I supervise and those who supervise me. I will not tolerate disrespect of others, either by myself or as I see it displayed by other employees.
• I will seek to value each individual as loved of God and worthy of my time and attention. I will seek to value the contributions they make in the work arena as well as to the community at large.
• I will seek to promote right relationships in all areas of my influence. I will make determined effort to reconcile conflict among individuals including myself. I will seek to understand those who are in conflict with me and promote understanding of all perspectives
• I will seek to supervise those I have responsibility for by identifying their specific need and address it accordingly:
  • For those who are ‘out of line’ in respect to their job duties, I will gently warn, caution and instruct them as to their error and the correct and expected behavior.
  • For those who are discouraged (small-souled), I will seek to provide perspective and encouragement that allows them to see beyond the immediate struggle.
  • For those who lack the tools to do their job, I will seek to educate, train, coach and provide them tools for success.
  • I will seek to be patient with all.
    • Patience does not imply permissiveness but a gentle, determined path toward expectations.
    • Patience does not imply toleration and has a definitive time-line of meeting expectations. The end of patience means that the individual is either unable or unwilling to perform their duties.
• I will seek to prohibit revenge and vengeful behavior
• I will seek to do the right thing for and to every individual, promoting what is best for them
• I will seek to celebrate whatever situation I am presented
• I will seek to pray for all people and situations in my work world, seeking Kingdom perspective as God works in the life and lives of all people for their salvation and perfection.
• I will seek to give thanks for ALL that God brings my way on a daily basis.
• I will seek to not hinder what the Spirit is doing in the lives of those around me.
• I will seek to trust but verify what is reported to me
• I will seek to do the right thing, to have integrity at all times.
• I will seek to avoid any hint of impropriety in all of my dealings.

Something To Make You Go "Hmmmm"

When we are busied, or meditating on spiritual things, even in our time of set devotion, whilst our voice is rising in prayer, we ought to cease for one brief moment. Or as often as we can, to worship GOD in the depth of our being, to taste Him though it be in passing, to touch Him as it were by stealth. Since you cannot but know that GOD is with you in all you undertake, that He is at the very depth and center of your Soul. Why should you not thus pause an instant from time to time in your business, and even in the act of prayer, to worship Him within your Soul? Or to praise Him, to entreat His aid, to offer Him the service of your heart, and give Him thanks for all His loving kindnesses and tender mercies?

From "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. p. 72.

Foggy With a Chance of Clearing

My home town of Boise is nestled up against the Southwest edge of the Boise Mountain range of the Rocky Mountains. The winters often bring a week or two of inversions where the fog hangs over the landscape, blending the snow covered fields with the heavy, frost-laden trees and grey cast sky.

Driving over the much traveled and familiar route to church, my perspective was limited to the next 100 yards. As all that was far off was obscured and my attention was limited to that myopic view and the immediate details, I remarked pointing to a nearby landmark, "Has that always been there?"

The rest of the drive found me contemplating the similarities to my spiritual journey. The grey fog of circumstances had descended on my heart, limiting my perspective and my focus was fixated on only what I could see. Doubts and anxieties crowded my thoughts and cast a gloominess on my soul. 

My thoughts continued through the service and as we worshiped, the words of the songs began to permeate my fog.

Jesus be the center

Be my source be my light Jesus

Jesus be the center

Be my song Jesus

Be the fire in my heart

Be the wind in my sails

Be the reason that I live

Jesus Jesus

Jesus be my vision

Be my help

Be my guide Jesus

(By Michael Frye)

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Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You
I want to see You

To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy
We cry holy, holy, holy
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to see you

(by Michael W. Smith)

As we walked out of the service, the fog had lifted a bit revealing the foothills to the north stretching towards the east. And although the sun was not visible, you could feel it's presence and see it illuminating the low hanging clouds, promising sunshine soon. 

And so too, my spiritual fog began to lift as I focused not on my immediate circumstances, but on the Creator who continues to shine behind all of my anxieties and doubts....who promises clear vision and hope for the future...and Sonshine soon.

 ...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe... (Ephesians 1:17-18).

IF...

'But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (I John 2:1b)

What a wonderful, subordinating conjunction....'IF'. By definition, 'in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that'. 'IF' does NOT imply a certainty, but only the possibility. And considering the subject and context of the passage, what a wonderful hope that provides for individuals stuck in the mire of a sinful habit. We all have a history of strength to resist temptation and willfully turn our backs in certain situations or environments. But oh, what about that one thing that continually catches our eye, our Achilles heel, our fatal flaw, that we daily struggle and daily fail to pass the test-tation. The 'IF' gives us an eraser to the blackboard of life, an Advocate to the Father who pleads our cause, a hope for the future that the fatal flaw is not a certainty but will be overcome, and a heavenly home that is free from all sin and guilt.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)

Watch for the Curve...

Life throws us many curves. As we attempt to navigate the turbulent waters we run up against the rocky shores and shoals of conflict, disappointment, individuals who discredit us, our own inadequacies, weariness, etc. 

We contemplate an out. We want to win the lottery, discover the cure, beat our opposition either verbally, physically or competitively, throw in the towel, escape to a deserted island in the tropics or a cabin in the woods. We consider comprising our principles just to make it fair or get even, just this once.

Faced with invading forces and contemplating an alliance with an even worse enemy, Ahaz was met by Isaiah as he inspected the water source in preparation for war. Isaiah proclaimed to him, “Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of… (these enemies).”  (Isaiah 7:4) 

Be careful  – Consider your contemplated path and the consequences of that decision. Observe God’s history in taking care of you. 

Be quiet  –  Calm yourself. While out of your control, it is not out of God’s control. 

Do not fear – Fear reflects a doubt in the One who completely loved you and continues to love you well. 

Do not let your heart be faint because of….. (you fill in the blank) -  Our weariness and faint heart comes from the conflict of our own inadequacies and struggles to resolve the problem. We contemplate one set of actions only to see their imminent failure or impossibility and bounce to our next solution, only to discover the same results.  Our only solution is to throw ourselves on the goodness of God and His plan and provision for us. 

…thus says the Lord GOD: “‘It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass….If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’” (Isaiah 7:9)