THE 4 FOUNDATIONS

Leading From The Inside Out

  “How have we strayed so far from integrity?” This is the question that often afflicts my mind as I read the newspapers or hear the news reports.  Many political, business, or worse yet, religious leaders fail miserably in their private lives but seem to be superstar status leaders among their faithful followers.  King David comes to mind. He was arguably the greatest king the nation of Israel ever had.  He was a fierce warrior and a wise ruler.  He expanded his nation geographically, spiritually, and even technologically. Talented as he was as a political and military leader he also showcased poetic musicianship in the Book of Psalms that opened up yet another powerful area of influence that has endured to this day. He was a great leader on many fronts.  But King David’s family life was a wreck, from which stems his most notorious failure in the form of adultery with Bathsheba.  How can a leader maintain a private life that seems contrary to the standards of his public life and duty? It stands to reason that something was missing foundationally on David’s part that often the nation of Israel had to pay for by their own blood.

           Many leaders in this age are chosen because their ability, education, wealth, or political prominence. Fewer and fewer leaders rise to the top based on their inner moral convictions or by divine appointment. It is growing increasingly less important for a leader to be completely morally sound.  As long as a leader can take the follower where they want to go it doesn’t matter how poor the condition of his or her personal life may be. This thinking has caused a dichotomy in the leadership of many businesses, religious institutions, and governments. 
   It brings to mind the classic story of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.  The questions must be asked; If Dr. Jeckle is a fantastic doctor, why should we care what he does with his personal time?  Many dangers present themselves as leaders fail.  The health of any organization is in the hands of its most influential leaders. If a person is not internally pure in his or her motivation as a leader the results can be disastrous for not only the entity he or she represents but also any person or entity involved with the organization.  As the newspapers, magazines, and talk shows have displayed, these wolves in leader-sheep clothing are capable of destruction on a grand scale. No doubt many retired workers wish they could have known more intimately the personal choices of the leaders who squandered their retirement funds. No doubt many men and women stand in unemployment lines today because of the unethical choices of a corrupt CFO.  In the field of Christianity, how many souls died choosing not to follow the narrow road to salvation after observing the private matters turned public of a debunked pastor?

     A change in focus is what is needed to address this problematic style of leadership. The focus of leadership has far too long been placed on WHAT a leader can do as opposed to WHO a leader is. People of poor personal character should be disqualified from leadership regardless of talents or abilities. The problem with this idealistic approach is that it’s the talents and abilities of the leader that often garner the love and support of their followers. Value is placed on those who can perform more so than on those who have impeccable character only. The love of performance out weights the love of moral character.  In this setting it’s more now than ever before the responsibility of the Christian leader to not only performs their duties with vigor but also with valor.  This is the only thing that can combat this leadership dichotomy: the testimony of true character in leadership. Lead with integrity! You are the Apostolic Movement!

Recommended Reading : 

             Leading from the Inside Out
             Samuel D. Rima

"Relationship> Discipleship> Leadership"

"Relationship> Discipleship> Leadership" These are the fundamentals of all apostolic experience both on a vertical(to God) and horizontal (to man) plane. The logo is an atom, with three rotating electrons representing the three fundamental categories of apostolic life, around a nucleus globe that represents the apostolic mission and great commission. Motion and balance are key principles in the atom, as well as in our mission.The purpose of this blog is to be a  hub for these fundamental apostolic resources. The content will be dynamic and unbiased to any particular political position or sect. All content will also remain free for all to use or copy. If you would like to contribute free content to this cause be it by video, audio, print, or links please feel free to contact us at apostolicmovement@gmail.com. Have a look around! Check out the links section. Post a comment, or watch a video! You are The Apostolic Movement!