|
THE LIFE OF A CHAMPION
IS CREATED WITH PURPOSE-INTENDED FOR GREATNESS AND CALLED TO
FIGHT FOR IT.
SIGN UP
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.
-Truman Capote
SEARCH
Our NEW Archive Homepage!
|
|
| |
|
CHAMPIONS UNLEASHED QUICKLINKS
| |
|
Champions BYTES
August 5, 2009
Setting Leadership Benchmarks |
|
"Then, raising his eyes in prayer, He (Jesus) said: "Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of your Son so the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. YOU PUT HIM IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING HUMAN so he might give real and eternal life to ALL IN HIS CHARGE. I GLORIFIED YOU ON EARTH BY COMPLETING DOWN TO THE LAST DETAIL WHAT YOU ASSIGNED ME TO DO. And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor, the very splendor I had in your presence before there was a world. I spelled out your character in detail to the men and women you gave me. They were yours in the first place; then you gave them to me, and they have now done what you said. They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that everything you gave me is firsthand from you, for the message you gave me, I gave them; I pray for them. I'm not praying for the God-rejecting world but for those you gave me, for they are yours by right. AND MY LIFE IS ON DISPLAY IN THEM. For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world; they'll continue in the world while I return to you. Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life that you conferred as a gift through me, so they can be one heart and mind as we are one heart and mind. As long as I was with them, I guarded them in the pursuit of the life you gave through me; I EVEN POSTED A NIGHT WATCH. And not one of them got away, except for the rebel bent on destruction (the exception that proved the rule of Scripture)." - Jesus' Account of His Leadership recorded in John 17 (The Message)
As leaders, we have a responsibility to guard those we've been entrusted with at all times.
Your office, home and leadership is a reflection of your life. Therefore, if it is messy, without direction, structure and order, then it falls into harmony with how you are living. In leadership, your life is on display: Your self-control, your integrity, your character, your work ethic, righteousness, favor and faith; your ability to control your anger, manage conflict and your finances, etc. is on display for the entire world to see.
It is interesting that when Jesus was preparing to ascend back into Heaven (to His throne), He gave an account of His completed task and purpose on earth, saying: "I GLORIFIED YOU ON EARTH BY COMPLETING DOWN TO THE LAST DETAIL WHAT YOU ASSIGNED ME TO DO."
It's important to note that Jesus only did what the Father told Him, so when He said, "I completed everything down to the last detail," He could've reported to the Father a lot of things He "did" on the earth. For example, He could've said, "Father:
- I multiplied fishes and loaves for the thousands with only a few fish and loaves (of bread.)
- I preached to multitudes with the Sermon on the Mount.
- I raised people from the dead.
- I cast out devils, healed the blind and stopped issues in the bloodline.
- And when they tried to kill me, I defied death, hell and the grave and rose again."
Yet, He only singles out His effectiveness in leadership; nothing else.
He spends the entirety of John 17, praying for the men God gave Him to influence to move the world and giving an account of their condition. When He does pray for others in v20, he says: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."
He says to His Father, "Dad, I know that one day they will be in this same position, held accountable for the task and people they have been entrusted with. Help others believe in their vision as they have believed in mine. Help others carry their message to nations in regions beyond them."
Proving that:
- God isn't interested in me building individual achievements or success if it does not impact future generations AND
- He wants to use my excellence, passion and platform to influence, build, create and sustain leaders that outlive me.
God doesn't just want my "stat" or charisma sheet; He wants my "souls" and character sheet.
- How many lives or families have you touched this year?
- How many people has God put in your path to lead and mentor?
- How many have you lost contact with?
You and I have been entrusted with an entire workplace, team, industry, city (neighborhood), state or nation.
Jesus said, "And not one of those you gave me got away, except for the rebel bent on destruction." In other words, "I kept 11 out of the 12 you gave me; I have a 92% success rate in leadership retention."
How many employees, clients, members or people ("souls") have you lost this year?
What is your employee, client, member or disciple retention rate?
Let's take this closer to where we live: If you desire to get ripped abs, tone your body or lose weight, you normally choose a daily or weekly regiment that increases your resistance. And you will select a specific exercise machine designed to help you reach your objectives. You will also set a time of how long you will work out on each machine to fulfill your goals.
How come we don't (always) do that in relation to our purpose and destiny here on earth?
Why don't we set aside daily or weekly time to "workout" and reach prayer, mission, vision, leadership, entrepreneurial, writing, financial or dream goals?
This week, set some goals:
- How many chapters will you write of that book God put in your heart?
- How many books will you study?
- How many processes will you create for your department?
- How many people will you seek out to mentor or pray with in your sphere of influence?
- How many events will you begin planning; how many songs will you start; how many business ideas or plans will you write to impact the lives of men and women?
God is very specific. He told Noah before the flood, "You are accountable to preserve ALL OF CREATION beyond the flood. I need you to get 2 of each animal into the ark, because I won't close the door until you fill this thing up."
Imagine if Noah had become exhausted, passive or impatient and said, "God, I can't find any more. What I have found is this set of monkeys, horses, zebras, dogs, cats and hamsters; I did find an elephant and a lion as well, but they are too big and ferocious to get into this ark. They will take time, courage, effort and faith that I don't have. Please use what I found (in my convenience.) Something is better than nothing."
Yet Noah refused to stop until he fulfilled his entire assignment.
All of humanity depended on Noah being obedient to God's instruction.
Today, nations hang in the balance of your obedience to the instruction (call) God has given you.
Jesus owed the Father an account of His work and leadership success rate on the earth.
So do you.
YOU OWE TO GOD AND MAN AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT YOU LEAD AND ACCOMPLISH ON THIS PLANET.
What are some of the things we can do to complete OUR assignment?
- We must pray and focus on goals we can observe (We can observe results, actions and behaviors. Whatever you observe and measure improves.)
- We must state high-level goals, not small comfortable ones.
- Then we must ask ourselves, "How likely is it that this can be accomplished? What is the probability and our progress of success? Would I be willing to accept less? Who else do I need to enlist to help achieve this vision?
- THEN, keep asking ourselves the above questions.
Fulfill your specific assignment down to the last detail.
BEAT THE RECESSION! Discover the law of increase and tithing by registering for SPIRITUAL GROWTH on August 9, 16, and 23rd in Tustin, CA.
YOUR GREATEST PLACE OF INFLUENCE IS YOUR MINISTRY. JOIN A CHAPTER TODAY! |
|
|
|
|
