Leadership – Gregory Scott Blog

Jehoshaphat’s Advice For Your Job

Judah was a mess. The people had gone after pagan gods. Judah’s national security was at risk. Then came Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat was a reformer, and one of the main means of reform he brought was his appointment of judges.

But it wasn’t just the appointment of judges that brought reform but the implementation of the instructions Jehoshaphat gave to them. See 2 Chron. 19:6-9. What is important to note is the job of a judge is essentially “secular,” and Jehoshaphat’s instructions are generally applicable to any non-ministry position.

The first thing Jehoshaphat told the judges, and what initially grabbed my attention from this passage was the instruction, “Consider what you are doing. . . .” (2 Chron. 19:6).

How many people go through the motions at their job, punching a time clock, collecting their pay, never considering the significance of what they are doing and how it fits into King Jesus’ plan for the earth? Don’t do that. Consider what it is you are doing. Jehoshaphat then follows with instructions that can be summarized as follows. Continue reading “Jehoshaphat’s Advice For Your Job”

How Churches Should Develop Leaders

Unfortunately, churches are very good at wasting leaders.

By wasting leaders I mean wasting them for the purposes of the kingdom of God to meet needs in the local church.

It’s a natural sequence of events, not motivated by malice, but it happens far too often.

The pastor or other staffers are trained to look for people in their church with leadership qualities: those who are zealous for God, who embrace responsibility, are competent, and want to initiate change. Continue reading “How Churches Should Develop Leaders”

Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Day 6

I have been looking forward to today because this was our Richard the Lionheart day.

After breakfast, The Wife and I went up on the deck to read and take in the scenery as we traveled up the Seine toward Les Andelys.

One of the unique joys of a river cruise is sitting on the deck of the ship with a glass of wine watching the towns, castles, fields and people move by at a gentle pace.

Les Andelys is a area along the northern bank of the Seine about 25 miles from Rouen. Richard the Lionheart built the castle there—Chateau Gaillard—in 1198, and at the same time constructed the town (Petit Andely) and church.

Interestingly, this is one of the few churches we’ve seen in France not named after Mary. This one is named the Church of our Savior—well done, Richard.

Richard is a fascinating character. He was a descendent of William the Conqueror. He was a crusader and great military strategist, who struck fear in one of Islam’s greatest leaders, Saladin, and restored the hopes of Christendom following the devastating defeat at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. He was also a great leader, who inspired confidence in the men under his charge. He is a great study in leadership. Continue reading “Seine River Cruise Travel Journal—Day 6”

A Definition of Leadership

A lot of books have been written on leadership.

I’ve written here on Leadership in the Kingdom, Why God Uses Leaders, and Old Testament Leadership Examples.

In the books I’ve read though I rarely see a good definition of leadership.

Secular books often assume everyone knows what leadership is and therefore do not define it.

Christian books invariable define leadership exclusive as “servant leadership.”

A definition is in order then, and after a big cup of cappuccino I feel worthy of the task. Continue reading “A Definition of Leadership”

Why God Uses Leaders

There are many definitions of leadership.

However, at its simplest, leaders are those who influence others to do what they would not otherwise do on their own.

Leadership, like money, is amoral. It can be good or bad. Leaders can influence others to righteousness or wickedness, charity or theft.

A leader can influence people from a position of authority over them, from walking along beside them or from serving them. Consequently, to be a leader you don’t have to be a dynamic charismatic personality who is out in front showing people where to go. You do, however, have to be willing to be an influencer. Jesus described it as being like salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16). Continue reading “Why God Uses Leaders”