Leading - Uniting God's People to More Productive Service: From the Book Life, Love & Leading

Flourishing organizations utilize system and structure that align with that of our triune God as he administers his kingdom - on earth as it is in heaven. Collectively discerned and highly productive relationally, organizations of any kind and size are led by the power of the Holy Spirit producing fruit of the Holy Spirit, consistent with the teachings and attitudes of Jesus, as the Father within does his works. Not making of us robots, we become willing participants in creative collaboration - collectively - growing hearts after God as the Family of God doing the will of God.

Acts 13:22
And when he had removed him (Saul), he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'

The world is continually telling us that we must think and logic and work our way through to each decision. The equivalent of leaning on our own understanding:

Proverbs 3:3-8
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (mind). 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes (mind); fear the Lord,
and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

If you think you are a good leader, prove it by not using Hierarchy & Authority. Then you'll know. The best of leaders don't need it. I've seen it over and over again, and our Fortune 500 companies are all moving to it.

When originally submitted to the publishing arm of a large Christian leadership consulting organization, I was told that Leading is badly needed for church leaders and should be a required textbook in every seminary and bible college. They wondered aloud, however, how many would be open to it - since most are so deeply oriented to hierarchical management. That conversation brought about the writing of the supportive preparatory Life and Love portions that you have hopefully read prior to now beginning Leading. Leading was re-written to follow these, and an understanding of their content must be assumed here to avoid duplication.

Though described foundationally in Life, as we proceed in Leading we will build upon the criticality of eliminating the Authority bias from our operating systems and structures. When we organize and operate in the foundational understanding of the ways God has for us, we will only need him and the leadings Adonai provides his disciples together - that none should perish.

When we use Authority, Unity and the collective Wisdom offered to us by God are not our number one priority.

But what does it mean to be his disciple? It is probably different than you think because we do not have any word for it in our English language. The Hebrew word translated for us to English is talmid. The plural is talmidim. Unlike the words disciple or student or apprentice that suggest a learning and doing process, the word talmid is a Hebrew term that describes a becoming process. Talmid desire to become just like their rabbi. It is more than the practical application of the knowledge we gain. It is more than taking actions based upon our understanding of his teachings. A talmid of Jesus will develop a heart after the Father, be growing to reflect the very character of Jesus and be gaining the mind of Christ. Becoming all he would have us be.