There were people (mainly men for a change) who, for the most part, used to be part of the problem themselves.
They want to reach back and make difference in the areas of our city that are most affected by negative influences.

We discussed everything from crime to education to jobs.
It was a good start and prayerfully we can keep it up.

It’s amazing how in a small/mid-size city with plenty of churches, there doesn’t seem to be much of a movement from the religious community when it comes to the problems that are occurring.

Silence is deadly, in my opinion.

We, as a church, need to get beyond words and into action.

We live in a country where 10.2 churches close everyday.
195 million people are unchurched (they don’t go to church regularly).
We need to renew our passion for God and increase our compassion for souls.
There is a cry out in our land for a people who will act according to their words.

We must have the integrity to practice what we preach by following these guidelines:

1. see the invisible

We can sometimes limit ourselves by what we can see with our physical eyes.
By relying on our own abilities, we fall short of God’s plan for us.
What is impossible with man is possible with God. (Luke 18:27)
Our ability to see can sometimes be hindered by what we believe (faith).
If you don’t have the faith there is no way to see certain things.
Allow God to speak to you through His word and by His Spirit.
You will then have the vision to see His plan.

2. walk on your tongue

Our tongues can be used for good and evil.
It can be used to build up or tear down.
James 3:5-6 says that “…the tongue is like a fire…”
There have been words that have destroyed many long-standing friendships.
Wars that have led to thousands of lost lives, have started because of damaging words.
We should let the Holy Spirit guide us in controlling our tongues.
We can create a positive atmosphere just by what we say.
We have power in our tongues.

3. live out of your heart

There is no better way for an unbelieving so see God at work than having His church love people.
Our hearts can hold many things in it like anger, pain, jealousy and strife.
It can also hold peace, joy, compassion and love.
You don’t have to look very far to see an opportunity to share the love of God.
God Himself has chosen us to be vessels of His love.
We have not been given this role to sit ourselves on a shelf and look pretty (gathering dust).
It is our duty to spread His love wherever we go.

True community rehabilitation occurs when people’s lives are changed, not when new homes are built.
This can only happen by the power of God’s love.

If we can practice what we preach, we can change our world.

peace

“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing nobody is going to know whether you did it or not”
Oprah Winfrey

Leaders should possess a high level of integrity.
They should do whatever it takes to keep their character in tact.

Just because no one is watching, it doesn’t mean you can slack off.

You have difficult choices to make.
People have put their trust in you to do the right thing, no matter what.
Your decisions have an enormous impact on your team, business, or church.
You need to be able to put your personal feelings and desires to the side and choose what is best for all involved.

You have to choose what is right over what is convenient.
You have to choose what is best over what is popular.
You have to choose what is correct over what is more profitable.

When you choose to put your duty over your ego, you pave the way for more unity and selflessness from your team.

8. Stand Up!!

Leaders are responsible for the results of their organization, whether they are good or bad.

There is nothing worse than a leader who hides behind his crew when things get rough.

Don’t just accept the applause when things turn out right.
Your team will respect you and your position when you deal with the pressure of mistakes and failure.

You must exhibit the courage that it takes to stand out in front.

There are no excuses for being invisible.

As a leader, you should separate yourself from the “wannabe” leaders.
These are people that talk like a leader but never make a move to the front of the crowd.

Your team, company, or ministry, is looking for someone to guide them.
You are the ONE.

“Authority is 20% given and 80% taken”
Peter Ueberroth

You have an obligation to lead your people to the next level.

Step Up!

To become a great leader you must expect things in your organization to turn out well.
You must be on a look-out for great results.

A baseball player doesn’t catch a flyball by having his glove in his back pocket.
Neither will you be able to “catch” greater sales or greater influence by not being in a continual state of expectation.

“If you commit to the Lord everything that you do, your plans will succeed”
Proverbs 16:3

You must make a commitment to look through the clutter of life and anticipate a victorious conclusion.
We need to anticipate positive results from the well-thought out decisions that we have made.

Results come from our expectations.

Don’t let challenges or controversy distract you and cloud your vision.

Expect big things and you’ll receive big things.

Your team is the anchor to your success.
You were not made to do life by yourself.
You need their support to help carry out your assignment in life.

Jesus had a great team.
He had 12 men to help Him reach the world.

We should be able to recognize and appreciate each member of our team.
We have to take the time to be aware of the value that they each bring to the table.

The team is looking for a leader that they can trust.
They want to be celebrated when they do well.
They want to be encouraged when they mess up.

Reward them with kind words or small tokens of gratitude.

“None of us is as smart as all of us”
Ken Blanchard

Value your team and then you will reap the benefits.

4. Stay Committed

Staying in line with your mission and purpose is critical.
Even being out-numbered, a leader must remain committed to what they believe is the best course of action.

Too often times we think that the “majority” rules, simply because of the numerical significance.
This may ring true on occasion but it is not always the case.

Large numbers have a way of being a distraction.

Sometimes the majority sides with the most popular choice, not necessarily the most advantageous selection for all parties involved.

You have to be willing to commit yourself and stand alone, if necessary.

“Commitment in the face of conflict produces character”

If you can stay committed, even in the most uncomfortable situations, you can make a great impact in your world.

As a leader you should know the purpose and meaning to why you do what you do.
You should feel confident in what your mission statement stands for.

There may be people or situations that come up that will try to shut you down.
They might speak of your shortcomings, your inexperience, and your mistakes.
Fear will try to creep in and wire your mouth shut.

You need to know who you are and what you are here to do.
You need to know what direction you are to lead your family, company or ministry.

When you are standing on a solid foundation, you can declare your vision for all to hear.

After you have sought God through prayer, wait for Him to show you His will.
When He does, move forward.
Armed with faith in Him and confidence in His cause, you can make a bold declaration in His name.

Don’t be afraid to speak up.
He’s listening.

2. Know Your Stuff

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles to it”
Margaret Fuller

To be a leader of influence, you must always be on top of your game.
People are listening to what you are saying, and then they are watching to see if what you say is the truth.

Do you know what you’re talking about?

You must prepare and equip yourself with the proper tools which are necessary for success.
You may not have the talent to do every task but you should have enough knowledge to understand what it all means and how it affects your organization.

Show an example of being up-to-date on current trends in your industry.
Read books, blogs, articles and papers. Anything you can get your hands on.

Go to seminars, conferences and conventions.
Get a coach, mentor or big brother.
Never stop learning.

Your team is depending on you.

This series is about helping you to be the leader that you were meant to be.

1. Maintain integrity

“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful.”
Edward Murrow

Our character and reputation are on the line daily.
We must do whatever it takes to not put ourselves in jeopardy.
Being a leader means that we must sacrifice ourselves for the good of our team.

Maintaining our integrity means that display it by our actions and choices, not just by merely saying a few words that sound good in the ears of our listeners.

We must maintain focus on the desired goal of our organization, despite the obstacles and temptations that come up.

There may be challenges concerning personnel or cash flow.
You may even be tempted to cut some corners.
You don’t have to lie. You don’t have to cheat.
You can do things the right way.
The people that you lead should be able to see a clear example of integrity in all situations.

Your example shines the light on the path to greatness.