“What in heaven’s name is with this guy?” Reagan caught
Buchanan’s eye and winked, which Buchanan interpreted to mean,
“They’re having an argument here, and I’m not getting into it.”
Billy, of course, was a prime example of a leader with a one-
point agenda. Over the years he focused more and more carefully
on the core. “I used to talk on every subject,” he admitted. “If
somebody asked me anything political, I’d talk on it. I’ve learned
through the years that I’m much better off keeping quiet on cer-
tain subjects in order that I may appeal to a wider group of people
in my presentation of the gospel.”
Don’t Hunt Rabbits
Jay Kesler’s point from Helmut Thielicke about hunting stags,
not rabbits, meant Billy knew his target. This affected hundreds of
small decisions. For instance, in 1970 Billy admitted that his hair
was “a little longer” than it had been the year before—a full inch
over the collar. He was identifying with the younger generations,
those most likely to respond to the gospel. Amid the conflict
between parents and their young people over appearance, Billy
said, “It’s ridiculous for parents to engage in bitter battles with
their children over the haircut issue... long hair or short hair is
a matter of personal taste, not a basic moral question.” He recalled
that his grandfather, a Civil War veteran, “Had a beard down to
his chest and a mustache and very long hair... and he was one
of the most wonderful Christian men I ever knew.”
Billy didn’t want to be diverted by secondary targets.
Cast the Vision; Make “Big Asks”
In addition to keeping the vision uncluttered, the leader must
recognize what limits its fulfillment, and that may require solicit-
ing help. Bill Hybels summarizes it this way: “The leader contin-
ually casts the vision and makes ‘big asks.’”
Cliff Barrows told us about sitting with Billy in Shreveport,
Louisiana, in 1952, when they both realized they needed help
handling all the people who came forward at the close of Billy’s
sermons.
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham