Cross Cultural

Last night I began a course on Ethical Values and Principles in Strategic Leadership. I am grateful for every opportunity that I have had to teach outside of the U.S. When I teach I pay particular attention to the aspects of leadership that resonate. Are there issues that are common to leadership across cultural lines? How can these aspects open the door for the message of the Gospel? I began a series of lectures last night by drawing attention to the importance of leading from within. Unfortunately, a great deal of leadership development seems to focus on skills and behaviors without giving attention to the heart. I take it as a personal mission to tip the balance toward issues of the heart. This message did in fact resonate with the Ecuadorian leaders. They engaged in a vibrant discussion of some of the foundational questions about integrity and intentionality. Though this was a course at a "secular" University, I was able to describe leadership relationships in Biblical terms. I shared that my Christian faith has revealed some significant principles for accountable leadership. I was able to teach the importance of "speaking the truth in love" and share what it means to bring together diverse gifts and talents, yet unite them together as "members of a body". I am thankful for the many ways God gives us to be "salt and light".

Worship in Ambato, Ecuador

This morning I was invited to speak at a church in Ambato, Ecuador. What a great experience. It was exciting for me to worship together with my brothers and sisters in Ambato. Pastor Rolando Quiroga was such a gracious host. The church began a little over a year ago. The service was full with an atmosphere of heartfelt worship. As I was singing with them this morning, my mind went to the words of Simeon when he saw the baby Jesus. Simeon praised God on that day as he prophetically recognized Jesus as the Savior "prepared in the sight of all nations as a light" (Luke 2:30-13). This morning I thought about how the light of salvation has reached into my community in North America and this community in Ambato. At the close of the morning service, a man named Eduardo came forward spontaneously to accept Jesus as His Savior. The light continues to shine. It's been a good day.

Winter Retreat 2011

I have been preparing for the Winter Youth Retreat. Looking forward to forfeiting some sleep in order to spend time with a bunch of rowdies with an energy level that I can only dream about (pardon the reference to sleep). When I consider the opportunity to share some truth from God's Word, it's sobering. Today, students are overwhelmed with so many messages. Many outlets target them. They know that they are a generation that is more connected to multiple sources of messages than any other before. It's difficult for someone my age to grasp what a difference 30 years has made in the life of a teen. The game has changed. But, the truth has not. When I roll back the clock the core issues that I wrestled with as a teen are the same. They ask the same question, "Who am I...Where am I going...How will I get there?" I pray that God helps me etch a clear picture of who their Creator says they are. When that is established, the road ahead is much brighter for them and us.

National Signing Day

In the world of media hype, it's a big day for college football fans. Today's the day when many announcements are made by recruits. In recent years the attention that high school student athletes receive has skyrocketed. It leads up to a big announcement. Sure, many of the students have committed to the college of their choice long ago. But, the power of the moment makes for good video for news outlets and the internet. One trend has continued to grow. The young men put on a cap representing their choice. Often, there is a dramatic build up to that moment. It signals the start of a relationship with a school that is packed with expectation. It's the stuff that dreams are made of. Just for fun, I have thought about some of the dramatic "signing day" moments in the Bible. Matthew stepping out of the tax collector booth as an overlooked talent; the woman at the well after her encounter with Jesus may have run a record 40 yard dash as she rushed back to the city to tell others; the criminal hanging on the cross beside Jesus was a late commitment that nobody saw coming. What about you?

Freedom

In responsibility both obedience and freedom are realized. Responsibility implies tension between obedience and freedom. There would be no more responsibility if either were made independent of the other.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I have an opportunity to teach a course on ethics next month in Ecuador. In my studying, I ran across this quote from Bonhoeffer. As I consider changes in our culture, I couldn't help but ponder the accuracy of his statement. I see the tension that Bonhoeffer described. For the most part it seems that freedom is pulling away from responsibility. Our ability to have so much information available at our fingertips has contributed to an indiviualistic sense of freedom that erodes our responsibility for our choices and for one another. Freedom as described in teh Bible is the "freedom" to live for God. It is the "freedom" to be an instrument of righteousness. It is the "freedom" to fulfill our divine purpose and love God and others and serve.

Our Father

When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He began with an emphasis on our relationship with God. That is an emphasis that we should carry with us in our prayers. Sometimes we request help or answers without an appreciation for the relationship that God offers. God answers prayers in a personal way. Consider the words of David Platt, in his book Radical:

"Suppose...you are making a big decision in your life, and you need help. You have a couple of different options before you, and you need guidance to decide which way is best. So you ask God for help. But he doesn’t answer with guidance. Instead he answers by sending the Holy Spirit, who is our Guide. God sends the Helper, who will live in you and not only tell you what decision to make but also enable you to make that decision."

Nehemiah

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:4

Over a decade ago, Daniel Goleman began introducing the idea of "Emotional Intelligence" in leadership literature. At the top of his list of qualities, Goleman lists "Empathy". According to Goleman, effective leaders should "sense what others are feeling". In simpler terms, leaders must care about others. When Nehemiah heard about the condition of Jerusalem from some of his "brothers", he sat down, wept, fasted and prayed. Nehemiah's response provides a great lesson for us. "Prayer" and "Care" go together. If we do not care about our relationship with God and others, our prayer life will likely reflect apathy rather than empathy.