Walter Lippman said, “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in others the conviction and will to carry on.”  As spiritual leaders we extend our influence and legacy through the investments we make in others.  If we are not mentoring, training, helping, and serving the next generation, we are limiting our influence to the temporary terrain of today, the here and now.  But authentic leadership sees beyond the temporary moment, it understands the importance of leading for tomorrow.

Spiritual influence is rarely measured in the lifespan of a particular man; it is rather measured in the …

Spiritual growth is not the product of your age; it is the position of your heart.  It is sad to think that many people will live their entire lives and never grow in the grace of God.  At the end of the day all that really matters is your relationship with the Lord, and your relationship with others (you can hang the entire law on that premise).  Therefore, if we are not working diligently on those relationships we merely exist, we never expand.  Fred Smith said, “I don’t think God is as interested in our success as much as He …

Spiritual maturity seems to be a fleeting goal among modern Christianity.  In the pursuit of being relevant, we have left behind the virtuous attributes of spiritual formation.  Perhaps we shun such lofty aspirations because we fear what others will think.  We may believe that maturity is an objective too difficult to obtain.  Or possibly, and perhaps most dangerously, we are afraid of change.  Steve Farrar said, “Perpetual adolescence is the curse of modern culture.  Everyone wants to be young instead of mature.”

The apostle Paul told the juvenile church at Corinth, “When I was a child, I spake as a …

Making disciples is the heartbeat of the Great Commission.  When God instructed us to go into the world, He had multiplication, not addition in mind.  Addition occurs when we give the Gospel to someone, they in turn, trust Christ by faith, and we repeat the process.  If this is the pattern we use in our soul-winning endeavors, we have short-changed the program of God to reach the world.

Multiplication and the Gospel

Don’t get me wrong, any addition to the family of God merits praise and glory in the presence of angels.  But it is multiplication, not addition that …

Among the Millennials, the subjects of leadership and influence are at the forefront of ministerial advancements.  We buy leadership books, subscribe to leadership podcasts, attend leadership conferences, and study leadership gurus.  Even though I am not technically a Millennial (I was born before 1980), I am still a student of leadership.  I love to learn, I love to listen, I love to lead.  I personally believe every pastor should embrace his calling of leadership and constantly seek to improve His God-given abilities and skills. 

However, we must be aware of the kind of iron we use to sharpen our blade.  …