The Character of Leadership – Security
Note: Over the next few weeks, I am sharing some characteristics of leadership. Seminary president and leadership teacher Jeff Iorg has been a blessing in my life as I have studied the subject of leadership and sought to mature more as a leader. I have often recommended his book The Character of Leadership. I am indebted to him for sharing with us “key words” that should characterize our leadership.
As a husband, as a father, as a leader, as someone seeking to be a good manager and steward, I desperately want SECURITY. I actually need to be a secure leader. When I struggle with insecurity, I can focus more on pleasing others than pleasing the Lord. I can fear the future. I may struggle with a sense of peace.
“Secure leaders feel less pressure to perform, less pressure to please people, and less pressure to prove their worth by their accomplishments than insecure leaders do” (Iorg, 47).
The Lord God, through Christ, makes me secure.
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:28–30).
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:14–16).
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37–39).
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
A Prayer for Us: Dear Father, Praise You for always being with us. You are with me. I shall not be afraid. As you told Joshua, I am to be strong and courageous, because You are with me. I am to meditate on Your Word. Thank You Jesus for never leaving nor forsaking me (Heb 13:5–6). Fill me today Holy Spirit, I yield to You. In Jesus, Amen.
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24–25).
Your brother in Christ,
BRIAN AUTRY
Executive Director
SBC of Virginia