Definition of Leader

In previous posts we saw that God created each of us with unique abilities. We called this the ARE...who God created you to BE.

We also saw that this ARE comes out in four areas: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. When the ARE comes out in these areas, we call this the "personality".

The ARE is a CAUSE and the personality is an EFFECT. We can know who we ARE...it takes an eternity to learn a personality. We can know who God is...however, it will take an eternity to learn His Personality.

We've also seen that a personality can be profitable or unprofitable. When the ARE comes out it is profitable. When something other than your ARE (your flesh) comes out it is unprofitable.

So, EVERYONE is "ARE" and "personality"...everyone is PURPOSE and PROGRESS.

When I counsel people, the first thing I do is find out if the problem is PURPOSE: Does the person know who they were created to be? Does the person have an objective? If not, then I work at helping the person determine their PURPOSE.

It the person knows their PURPOSE, then the problem is PROGRESS...they aren't making any progress or they aren't making it fast enough. I help them become more profitable...I help them make PROGRESS.

People who know their PURPOSE and are making acceptable PROGRESS don't need counseling!

This brings us to the definition of "Leader"...

LEADER - One who facilitates the PURPOSE and PROGRESS of others

There are A LOT of ways to "facilitate" the PURPOSE and PROGRESS of others and we will cover these in subsequent posts. For now, notice that the measure of a LEADER is determined by WHOM is benefiting. Notice also, this definition is completely compatible with LOVE. (The giving of a value without expecting anything back from the receiver.)

Some people have identified this and called it "servant leadership". This is like saying "unconditional love"...what kind of love is conditional? What kind of leader ISN'T a servant?

Leadership involves serving. EVERYTHING else is being a boss, a tyrant, a dictator, etc.

Whose PURPOSE and PROGRESS was Hitler facilitating? Whose PURPOSE and PROGRESS was Satan facilitating?

"Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." (Luke 13:1)

This is how the chapter describing Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet begins. After Jesus washes the disciples' feet, the story continues in verse 12:

"So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (Luke 13:12-15)

Jesus gave them an objective example at the very end of His time on earth that being a LEADER (Master and Lord) means serving others. What immediate benefit did Jesus get from washing the disciples' feet? What immediate benefit did Jesus get from ANYTHING He did?

We will look at more examples of LEADERS from the Bible in subsequent posts. For now, let me state that I tend to categorize people as "Leaders" and "Bosses".

BOSS - One who facilitates their own PURPOSE and PROGRESS at the expense of others.

Which one do you think Jesus was: LEADER or BOSS? Which one do you think Jesus has called you to be? Which one do "Christian" authors tell you to be?

People seem to like the EFFECTS list like the one from yesterday's post for "Leaders vs Managers". My EFFECTS list for "Leaders vs Bosses" has ONLY ONE EFFECT...we will look at that tomorrow so that we can have an objective measure to bring to our Bible study.

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