FOLLOW THE LEADERdeeds. As Christian leaders, there must always be a consistency between
our theology and our methodology. Our deeds must match our creed...our
beliefs must be reflected in our behavior...our walk must match our talk.
That’s where the security comes from for Christian leadership. When
we say one thing publicly while acting a different way privately, then the
integrity factor is removed from leadership. That integrity gap will always
eventually catch up with a leader – and bring him down! You can never
separate leadership integrity from leadership insecurity. Once a leader’s walk
does not match his talk, he begins to live and lead in insecurity. He begins
to live in the secret fear of being “found out” – exposed. God has created a
moral fiber in the universe – which He has inscribed on the conscience of
every person. When we violate it, we forfeit His blessing upon our lives.
That’s why the secret sin is so dangerous and deadly in life and leadership
(Ps. 19:12; 90:8; II Cor. 4:2). When we try to silence that voice of moral
conscience, our life takes a downward turn. We make a deadly detour
from the “...path of righteousness” (Ps. 23:3). We leave the place of
blessing and anointing. Every leader must often remind himself of this
principle: “He who conceals his sins does not prosper” (Prov. 28:13). When
our life and leadership lose their integrity, God no longer prospers us.
When leadership integrity fails, the leader falls. It is only “...by noble
deeds he stands.”
Leadership that lasts is based upon a lifelong commitment to noble plans.
Whereas a leader’s noble plan is long-term and will take his entire life to
fulfill, he must have shorter-range noble deeds, or goals that help him fulfill
his vision. Without clear goals, a vision becomes only wishful thinking! We
might think of these goals as the stepping-stones to the fulfillment of his
life’s vision. These goals become so important in the life of a leader that
he is often thought of as a goal-oriented person. But achieving the goals is
not the ultimate purpose of a leader’s life. Fulfilling his vision is what
he lives for. The short-term and long-term goals are just stepping stones
to help him fulfill his life’s vision. The goals are the means to the end – not
an end in themselves. Obviously, the study of goals is a whole focus unto
itself – which is not the primary theme of this book. However, let me
look with you at a few basic principles concerning goals.