Leadership by Example

Katie and I have also been thinking a lot about leadership over the past several months. Over the last year, we have felt called to be leaders in certain places. It has also led us to focus on further cultivating our leadership abilities. Leadership is something that I have always viewed with a great deal of fear and humility. Many people in the world like to think they are leaders, but they have no idea what it means.

Today, Katie and I were able to attend the Global Leadership Summit held by Willowcreek Community Church. 


We heard a lot of different speakers today – pastors, CEO’s of fortune 50 companies, business consultants, etc. At first, I was a little irritated at how they seem to integrate church and business. I was hoping that the focus would be on church leadership. Most of it was, but there were also speakers who focused on business leadership. I listened and did my best to learn all that I could from each speaker.



By the end of the day, an interesting picture had formed in my mind. It all started with the question, “What is the purpose of any business?” Most would say, “To make money.” However, the CEO’s of some of the greatest corporations in the world seemed to be saying something different. They seemed to indicate that a business should seek to make the world better in some way, as well as take care of its employees. They also said that in order to do this, a leader needs to have vision and a servant’s heart. Now, I’m not sure how much of this was changed to conform to a picture of God-focused leadership, but they did seem to indicate that leaders that are only focused on money and power often destroy their companies, themselves, or both.

As a society, we focus on money way too much. What ever happened to trusting God to take care of our needs? Bryan Loritts (who also spoke at the GLS) painted a much clearer picture and gave us much more to think about. He reminded us of the importance of caring for others financially. We have this idea that some day we’ll have enough money. However, more is never enough. The more we make, the more we spend, and the more material possessions we accumulate. We should be lovingly giving to others in need rather than hoarding more. Jesus said that if we have two cloaks, we should give our neighbors one. He was the greatest leader who ever lived and we would do well to follow His example.

What would the world look like if the CEO’s and managers in the audience today followed that rule? What would happen if the wealthy people of the world gave to the less fortunate out of love to the degree that Jesus intended? What treasures would await them in heave some day if they did? Do they have any idea what real wealth is? Do we? What if we kept what we needed and gave the rest away to those who need it? What would be waiting for you in heaven if you lovingly gave of your money, time, and resources following Jesus’s example? How would it impact the world?

I dare you to try.

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
-Matthew 25:40

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