I love building capacity in seasoned and emerging Christian leaders so that they can serve God more effectively. As I do so, I have found it helpful to focus my energies on seven key dimensions of leadership: biblical truth, a growing relationship with God, character, calling, community, team, and skill (see the Christian Leadership Pyramid below). Questions I ask are how am I personally growing in these seven areas and how can I help others to grow in these dimensions, as well. 

The Christian Leadership Pyramid

Biblical Truth   

Biblical truth must guide every aspect of our leadership. It is imperative that we increasingly live and lead in keeping with a thoroughly biblical worldview. This comes as we grow in our ability to meditate on God's Word continuously[1], to handle it accurately[2], and to be a courageous practitioner of the Word.[3]

A Growing Relationship with God

The desired foundation of Christian leadership is a growing relationship with God. The Christian leader must continue to live in Christ, rooted and built up in him.[4] As we abide in Christ, he will bear fruit through us.[5] I find that the practice of spiritual disciplines, when done in a meaningful way, rallies me to God and His plans for my life. One of the most useful tools I have found for establishing and growing these disciplines is the Rule of Life. A Rule of Life is an intentional plan to deepen one's relationship with God and to position oneself to love and serve others more effectively. Similar to what Peter Scazzero says in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality [6], I am learning that one's Rule of Life should encompass all of life. This would include practicing traditional spiritual disciplines such as prayer and listening to God through His Word, but also cultivating healthy relationships, fostering emotional health, and taking care of my body (among others).

Character

It was a momentous occasion. The Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon had laid the foundation of the new temple (Ezra 3:10-13). Many rejoiced. Yet, some who had seen the former temple wept. Presumably, the new temple already paled in comparison to the previous one built by King Solomon.

Sometimes, I’m underwhelmed by God’s provision, especially when it does not meet my expectations or seems inferior to His past provision. Yet, God’s provision is always right. Even though the new temple would be smaller and less majestic, it was still the right temple. As I receive God’s provision today, I am thankful that what He provides is just right.

It was Christmas and we were expecting our second child. The pregnancy was not going well and we ended up losing the baby. We were devastated. Was God still good in the midst of this painful loss?

Flip back a few thousand years to the city of Jerusalem. The Israelites had lost their homeland. The Babylonians had destroyed their temple and their beloved city. Many Jews were forcibly taken to Babylon as captives. Yet, after many years in captivity, King Cyrus granted the Jews permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

After laying the temple foundation, the priests and Levites sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love to Israel endures forever” (Ezra 3:11). Despite the hardships they had experienced, the Israelites rejoiced that God was good through it all.

Tragedies happen. Life is sometimes unfair. Yet, God’s goodness and love remain. Yes, God is good – all of the time.