Sixteen Lessons On Leadership--Part II
Thomas F. Fischer, M.Div., M.S.A.
Number 136

Lesson Nine

Forget minutia. That's right. Just forget it. Really. Just forget it. After all, that's why it is called minutia.It's too small to bother with. It detracts from the big picture. Forget minutia. All of it. It's just little stuff anyway.

Lesson Ten

There are only five questions you need to ask of your leaders in your position as pastor/leader.
1) Who has the information needed?
2) Who will be affected and how?
3) What are the long-term consequences?
4) Who should--and is authorized--to make the decision, and
5) Is it pleasing to God and in conformity with His calling to us?

Lesson Eleven

Most decisions are not based on facts, they're based on opinions of the facts. For many decisions, there is no right or wrong. There just varying shades of degrees of better or worse. Since decisions are based largely on assumptions and opinions--and not so much fact--be especially aware of your assumptions and opinions.

Lesson Twelve

One of the hardest parts about leadership is that leaders make the decisions that must be made when they must be made, not when it is popular to make them. In order to do this you must have three things: conviction, enthusiasm, and an unshakable trust in God's will. Thus, as Ralph Lazarus said, "whatever decisions you make, make them with conviction." Stand firm in faith, be unswerving in your conviction, and unshakable in God's vision for your ministry.

Lesson Thirteen

Another difficult lesson about leadership is that when decisions must be made, your mind will be saying, "no," and your gut will be saying, "yes." When tough calls have to be made, leaders who yield to rational arguments above the calling of their "gut" often regret their decisions. According to Harry Levinson and Stuart Rosenthal's studies of CEO's and organizational leaders, the "single note of self-criticism struck by all leaders was that they hadn't followed their intuition and instincts as assiduously as they should have." (p. 18) "Go where no man has gone before." Go where left to himself, man will fail. Go to where God leads and unfailingly trust His power to achieve all that He desires to achieve.He is faithful. He will do it...through you. Stand firm.

Lesson Fourteen

Remember the following principles...

1) The easy decision is usually an unnecessary decision.
2) The popular decision is usually an ineffective decision.
3) The right decision will probably cause the greatest hurt.
4) The right decision will likely make you unliked and unpopular.

Since you are called to make right decisions, you can expect immediate uproars, rebellion, inconveniences , unpopularity and rejection. What counts in the long run, however, is the respect you gain for doing the right thing against all odds. If you don't get that respect, remembers the only thing that matters: what you do for the Lord is not in vain. He rewards His faithful servant. Be faithful...and receive His gracious reward.

Lesson Fifteen

Thomas R. Horton said, "Remember, if your decision is to hit a home run, you still need to touch all the bases." Hit well, hit strong, hit the home runs. But don't forget to run--and run hard--to victory at home.

Lesson Sixteen

Remember, if your decision is to hit a home run, you always need to remember that you do not control the game, the rules, or whether you win or lose. You can't control the home run. You can't control the path of the ball. You can't even control if the bat will hit the ball properly. God only controls that. He knows His plans for you. Even if you fail, be certain that His plans are to prosper and not to harm you. They are to uphold, affirm and strengthen you in His grace. No matter what happens, no matter how bad it can get, be refreshed by the peace and strength only He can give. Then, go back to the plate, give Christ the bat, and hit a home run!

Thomas F. Fischer
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Thomas F. Fischer, M.Div., M.S.A., Editor
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