Lessons in Leadership
Last night Debbie and I attend the Murphy Center banquet. The Murphy Center is a single entry point providing services to the homeless and those in poverty. It was well attended. I was pleased to be joined by several former legislative colleagues and our State Senator John Kefalas, whom I served with in the House. I also appreciate Dan Betz being present to represent US Senator Cory Gardner.
This morning, after getting caught up on some rest made another trip to Denver. This time to attend the annual Assemblies of God conference for Pastors in Colorado and Utah. It was good to see many friends that I have not seen for the past year. Jim Mazurek from Chili. told me that people in South American were praying for me when I was at my worst.
Later this afternoon I traveled to Lakewood and will attend a baseball game for grandson, Riley.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… After fifty-two days of work the entire wall was finished…When our enemies in the surrounding nations heard this, they realized that they had lost face, since everyone knew that the work had been done with God’s help. Nehemiah 6:15,16
I began yesterday in making some observations about leadership from the life of Nehemiah. At times leadership is called for when a need or problem arises and someone is willing to step forward and be the person to make a difference. This is what we see in the life of Nehemiah. He was a cupbearer to the King when he heard of the distress of God’s people in Jerusalem and the condition of the walls. His prayer resulted in God using him to be the leader of a great project and a victory for God’s people.
As the account of the project of rebuilding the walls unfolds we see…
Leaders solicits the skills and involvement of others. Nehemiah chapter 3 simply begins with the words, “This is how the walls of the city were rebuilt.” What follow is an extensive list of those who were involved and the responsibilities they were assigned. Sizable, manageable sections were assigned to a specific group of people. Perhaps this falls into the “project or organizational management” aspect of leadership, but is is an important function. Leaders motivate, organize and empower others to accomplish as task.
Leaders overcome opposition. As soon as the people committed themselves to rebuild the walls opposition arose. “…Sanballat, Tobiah, and an Arab named Geshem heard what we were planning to do, they laughed at us and said, “What do you think you’re doing? Are you going to rebel against the emperor?” (Neh. 2:19) The opposition was in ridicule, false accusations, threats of violence. Nehemiah needed wisdom and a strategy to deal with each situation as it arose. One of those required even arming workers and keeping them focused and strong and encouraged.
“…I armed the people with swords, spears, and bows, and stationed them by clans behind the wall, wherever it was still unfinished… I saw that the people were worried, so I said to them and to their leaders and officials, “Don’t be afraid of our enemies. Remember how great and terrifying the Lord is, and fight for your relatives, your children, your wives, and your homes.” (Neh. 4:13,14)
Leaders are willing to confront problems within. “When I heard their complaints, I grew angry and decided to act. I denounced the leaders and officials of the people and told them, “You are oppressing your own relatives!” I called a public assembly to deal with the problem…” (Neh. 5:6,7) Nehemiah received word about the financial distress of some of the people and how that Jews were mistreating Jews. One of the internal issues was the connection between a priest and the enemy of Nehemiah, Tobiah. “Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being related to Tobiah,” (Neh. 13:4) This situation creates a special challenge for a leader, when individuals have split loyalties.
Leaders are willing to make sacrifices. “During all the twelve years that I was governor of the land of Judah, from the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was emperor until his thirty-second year, neither my relatives nor I ate the food I was entitled to have as governor. Every governor who had been in office before me had been a burden to the people…” (Neh. 5:14,15) Nehemiah made a commitment to remain “above reproach” and he did that by distinguishing himself from other leaders who put themselves first and became a burden to the people.
Leaders help people celebrate progress toward a goal. “They dedicated the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.” (Neh. 3:1) It appears that as a section was completed it was dedicated. This provided an opportunity to celebrate small steps of accomplishment toward the larger goal.
Leaders must be prepared for personal attacks. “They hired him to frighten me into sinning, so that they could ruin my reputation and humiliate me.” (Neh. 6:13) There were those who tried to intimidate, threaten and accuse Nehemiah in a way that cause him to act in a way that would diminish his leadership effectiveness.
Leaders are successful when a a goal is achieved. “…our enemies in the surrounding nations heard this, they realized that they had lost face, since everyone knew that the work had been done with God’s help.” (Neh. 6:16) Success is the best answer to critics. It is also noteworthy that Nehemiah is not recognized for the success of the project, but it is recognized as something that was made possible by God and not a man.
This may not be an exhaustive list, but it provides some of the main observations that we see in God using Nehemiah as an effective leader. As we continue to read through the book we see that Nehemiah’s leadership continues after the “project” is completed. There was time to celebrate, dedicate and worship, but not stop the role that the Lord had called him to.
Once again, you can see the challenge that leaders face. You need to be prepared for these in your leadership context. Also, I hope you are encouraged to pray for your leaders, especially your pastoral leaders.