Visionary Leader

June 2021

On Father’s Day we often reflect back on our own lives and relationships both good and bad. I thank the Lord that He blessed me with an amazing father who is a Godly example and visionary leader. While some have had amazing fathers, others have not. Either way, we should all know that God is our true Father and His love is all we need. Some may ask, “What is the difference between a good father and a bad one?” I’m sure many answers to that question are now swarming in your mind. Ultimately, a good father is a good leader. A father that leads their family in love to the heartbeat of God leads well.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5

Fathers, spiritually and naturally, are called to be the leaders of their families—blessed with a full quiver of arrows. Since most families nowadays are broken in some form or fashion, we are in great need of Godly leaders to arise and father the next generation. We are in need of natural fathers and mothers to arise in their homes and lead well. We are also in need of spiritual fathers and mothers to arise and take under their wing spiritual children and lead them well.

“He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction." Malachi 4:6

Unless a father's heart returns to our nations, we will be in lack. In God's heart there is no lack, want, or need. Therefore, it’s time for men and women of all ages to step up to the plate and chase after our Heavenly Father’s heart in this hour. It is time for the restoration of the family of God. He is turning the hearts of the fathers and mothers (natural and spiritual) back to the children and the children (young and old) back to the fathers and mothers. He is replacing broken natural relationships of the past with Godly spiritually appointed ones to carry out the future with hope. Many mantles are now being passed to carry out God’s plan for the next generation. Anyone can be a parent, but not everyone leads from the Father’s heart. It’s time for the restoration of God’s intent by rebuilding the family unit to its original design.

There is a great shift coming in the body of Christ among our family structures. As Christians, we often look at our nation or government and point fingers all the while our homes are falling apart. If we want to change our societies, we must first start in our own homes and churches. It’s time to rebuild our homes as the spirit of restoration bursts forth. Fathers, I encourage you to dig deep into the Word of God, see what He says about Godly leadership, and learn how He desires you to not only lead your own family, but lead the multitude back to the Father’s heart. The harvest begins in the restoration of our homes. The restoration begins with Godly, fatherly leaders arising and leading well.

“For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:19

In order to have a successful society, we need to have Godly Leaders. Leaders have the ability to change their nations through industry, business, government, in their own homes, and churches. Although no one is perfect, I have found that good leaders lead with God by their side, see through His vision, operate in Godly character, and obey His voice.

LEADERS MUST LET GOD LEAd

First and foremost, no one needs to be a leader unless the hand of God is on their life. To be a great leader, we need to follow the example of Jesus and allow the Lord to be our guide. The need for proper Biblical order through Godly leadership is greatly needed in our homes, Churches, and in all spheres of influence. Leadership should ultimately start and end with God and include Him all in between. Stan Dekoven did a fascinating study in leadership development and explains that God chooses leaders to fulfill His glorious work in the earth. It is important that we can look to the Word of God for examples of people who were leaders both big and small, weak or strong, gifted or anointed. As leaders ground themselves in the Word of God, they will see how God used people in the past for His Kingdom purpose and how He can use us here and now for a great purpose. I encourage all leaders to search for greater purpose through clarity, purity, and holiness to bring glory to the Lord.

Since the Lord gives leaders vision, it is important to be able to identify the voice of the Lord. Stan Dekoven says,“Though it may not always be an audible voice, it is clear.” It is often referred to as a still small voice in the inner man––God’s direction, purpose, and plan for your life. We can hear the voice of the Lord through His Word, His now prophetic voice, or in the secret place locked away in private prayer. His voice and direction will move us into obedience to fulfill our destiny for the Lord.

I have learned that leaders come from all spheres of life and come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Leaders are not to be defined by outward appearance, but by their yieldedness to the Lord. A good leader, however, carries Godly leadership traits. Traits to look for in a good leader are: judgment, justice, loyalty, tact, and Godly wisdom. The types of leadership vary, but some leadership styles include: authoritarian, persuasive, democratic, and theocratic leadership. It’s important as leaders that we evaluate ourselves and develop a leadership style based on our God-given temperament instead of role playing what we may see in others. As leaders, we must be confident in our God-given identity and vision, see that we are worthy of the call, and not chase after an ideology of the expectations of others or past leaders. Visionary leaders lead the way with God as their guide instead of man’s agenda, comparison, or pleasing people. The Holy Spirit should be our guide as we submit ourselves to the perfect will of God and emerge as visionary leaders to impact God’s kingdom.

VISION AND PURPOSE

Secondly, to be a visionary leader we must be able to see clearly. Helen Keller was once asked what would be worse than being born blind. She responded by saying, “To have sight and no vision.” Although she didn’t have sight, she grasped the concept many miss; to have sight is not the same as having a vision. If leadership is to be effective, leaders must have a clear vision. Vision is the ability to see something accomplished well in advance of the reality. Stan Dekoven says, “Leaders who are bound to the earthly realm by the reality principle are not truly leaders, but merely managers of someone else’s vision.”

True vision always originates from God. Therefore, we need to have fresh vision, receive the vision with open arms, write the vision plainly, put feet to the vision through action in faith, have purpose for the vision, set a goal to go towards the vision, implement the vision, evaluate the vision, adjust the vision when necessary, and write the updated vision down again with any changes that were made along the process. God instructs us in Habakkuk 2:2 to write the vision plain for all to see. “And then God answered: ‘Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.’”

God’s Word does not lie. His will and purpose shall happen at the right time. As leaders, we must be in tune with the Spirit and stay in God’s timeline as we chase after the vision inside us. We must be purposeful not rush ahead of God’s timing, but also be diligent not to delay or hit the pause button in disobedience. It is important for us as leaders to set a goal for the vision God placed inside of each of us. Setting a goal is the key to being a successful leader. As leaders, knowing where we are going, making it clear, and beginning to move in that direction allows others to follow God’s clear directives alongside us. Therefore, visionary leaders lead with God’s view as their own. “Where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 24:18). Listening and obeying God’s voice at all cost causes us to have clear focus as we look onward toward the prize—His will, vision, and plan.

It has been said that the poorest people in the world are the ones with lack of vision and purpose. We have a world full of people without a purpose and direction. Without an aim, there is no end goal to our destiny. Without a target we can’t hit the bullseye. As the Lord reveals His grand vision and plan, many become intimidated or afraid to go after it. To achieve the impossible we must have clear vision from the Father, believe it is possible, and run after it. Stan Dekoven explains that a successful leader must be motivated by a dream that is beyond them. They have something that keeps them going that is out of reach, something that is beyond themselves. In the Bible Paul understood the importance of seeing the vision and believing in something he knew was out of his human capacity to achieve. When Paul encountered the Lord, it changed him and his direction to align with the will of God. Paul tells King Agrippa in Acts 26:19, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.” No matter what Paul faced, he was committed to the vision and call on his life and ran after it in surrendered obedience. It was because of Paul’s vision that he was able to remain steady and committed to the call on his life. The vision enabled him to see what he was, what he could be if he remained focused on what God said for him to do, and what he would accomplish through his ministry. He pursued the vision as he remained fixed like glue to the call. His life and ministry is proof of his obedience to God and the depth of his understanding of who he was in Christ Jesus.

CHARACTER IS KEY

Thirdly, God’s vision will not only put us on the path toward His perfect plan but it will send us to touch others. Without knowing where God is leading, there is no way to lead others. Therefore, we must see the vision clearly and adhere to it as we lead the way and fulfill God’s kingdom purpose—communicating the vision clearly along the way so others can follow. God’s view always allows us to see who we are (children of the King) and then see others how He sees them. Because visionary leaders are called to see the potential in others and lead them, it is important to lead well with Godly character and integrity. It is vital that leaders lead with character instead of by relying on charisma. Charisma may inspire or hype, but true leaders are made, trained, and humbly function in their gifting and callings. Stan Dekoven says, “The level of leadership qualities a leader possesses depends on how well they were trained.” Therefore, it is important the church begins to equip leaders for greatness. Since the church as a whole has been ill equipped in the past to train proper leaders, we now face many challenges in our communities and nations. It is vital that the church rise and equip men and women who have a heart for leadership and give them opportunities to use their gifts and talents for the Lord.

Ray Kroc says that, “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.” I can not stress enough the importance of walking out the vision daily in Godly character. People are watching and consistent character is key. The Bible tells us that when David had a vision, he conquered Goliath. When he lost it, he couldn’t conquer his own lust for Bathsheba. As we see the vision and are commissioned to carry it out, we must remain humble, in awe and wonder of the King, and have a healthy fear of the Lord in order to remain steady. Van Valkenburg says, “Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching.” Godly character is vital in order to be a visionary leader. What is done behind closed doors is just as important as what is done in public. Stan Dekoven also says that, “One of the indicators of a man’s or woman’s encounter with the Lord is a sense of awe of God’s holiness. Awareness of God’s holiness changes our priorities, and fixes our focus on God’s mercy and His forgiveness of our sinfulness.” Therefore, a visionary leader with a dream from the throne of God will walk in holiness, integrity, and awe and wonder through the fear of the Lord. “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6). Godly character and holiness is not something we gain by self-effort, but by yielding our lives daily to the Word and the Spirit.

OBEY HIS VOICE,

FOLLOW HIS PLAN

Lastly, Harold S. Geneen says, “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” A leader's relationship with the Lord should be built upon character as well as depth in God’s Word, fasting, and prayer. The habits and lifestyle adopted by leaders influences those around them and trickles down into every aspect of their families, ministries, and lives. Leaders must be a good example to follow and have proper alignment in their home, marriage, social interactions, education, ministry, and finances. When a leader makes God the center of every area of their life, they lead God’s way and allow Him to shape their life. As one goes after the vision with a Godly attitude, character, and obedience, it changes their focus from selfish desires to Christ and their direction from man’s ways to God’s.

Leading out of the view of man takes us down a self-centered path, but when we lead from the vision God placed in us, then we lead out of a higher purpose and plan. Stan Devoken explains that, “When Isaiah the prophet had a vision of God, five things happened: 1.) He saw God––a holy God. 2.) He saw himself for who and what he was––needy, imperfect, living amongst men of unclean lips. 3.) He saw others in relation to himself and to God. 4.) He allowed God to change him––to cleanse him thoroughly. 5.) He began to ‘stretch’ when he said, ‘Send me!’ Isaiah fulfilled the vision because of the ‘so great salvation’ he had received from Jesus Christ.” Isaiah knew that if he could see the vision then God would strengthen him to fulfill it––in his weakness He would be strong. Isaiah put his complete trust in God as he chased after the call and purpose on his life, allowing the Lord to mold him in the process.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation” Isaiah 12:2.

Henceforth, we too should allow God to mold us into His likeness, be humble, and allow Him to be our strength and song as we steward the call well and lead others into their God-given purpose. “Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given to me; to preach to the Gentiles” (Epeshians 3:8). As we point others to Jesus and lead them toward the call, we must learn to work as a well oiled team. Stan Dekoven shared that Jesus never used a single fishing pole to illustrate how we would bring men into the Kingdom of God, He used a net. Nets take the help of a team to bring in the harvest. One man can catch a fish, but a team working in one accord can pull in the multitude. Max Lucado said, “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back to the crowd.” In other words, if we want to fulfill the call on our lives and lead others well, we have to lay down any need for attention and lead as we call others higher and make beautiful harmony. It takes great humility to turn our back to the crowd and lead others to shine. A ministry leader in search of a stage is celebrity minded, not ministry minded.

Since Christ loves the church, we as the body of Christ should be raising up leaders to lead in all areas of life to bring glory to the King. As we equip the five-fold ministers with proper training for their gifting, they will begin to work together as a team alongside Godly leaders to fulfill God’s original design for His body. There are pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostolic leadership, and prophets. In fact, each gifting is wonderful, unique, and designed to complement the others and function as a flock under one Shepherd––Jesus. Since we are instructed in the Word of God to work as a team, the key to the successful operation of a team ministry is communication. Leaders of a ministry should meet often with their core team to discuss plans, goals, and fresh vision. Communication with God and with the team is the maker or breaker for any Godly leader as they lead their team. Davy Crockett said, “Leadership is action, not position.”

It is often said that a leader's ceiling should be the floor on which the ones they lead can stand on. Godly appointed leaders should become ladders for followers to climb up and go above and beyond––flying higher. Ralph Nadar says, “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” Stan Devoken shares that leaders have two major weaknesses which, if they conquer, will free them to become excellent leaders. They are: 1.) The inability to develop people under them and release them. 2.) The willingness to share the ministry with capable, imperfect people.” Leaders must learn to delegate, multiply themselves, and release the reins a bit in order for others to soar into their God-given destiny. Good leaders call others higher and lead their followers to freedom by example. In order to cultivate a trusted team, you must have an understanding of like-minded community, commitment, and discipleship that is always centered around Jesus Christ to bring Him glory. Theodore Roosevelt said, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” All leaders need a team. We cannot accomplish the work of God alone. Even Jesus had twelve disciples that He taught, trainded, and equipped to do the work of His Father.

All authority comes from God and flows from His heart (Romans 13:1). As leaders seek and follow God’s heart in all areas of their lives, then and only then can they lead their followers with His authority and raise an army for the Lord. Leaders are leading an army of God’s children forward and therefore must treat them as God would. Even Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:24, “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.” In order to be a visionary leader we must allow the voice of God to lead us. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). If a leader is not submitted to God, they can not lead. The goal is not to build up ourselves, “our ministry,” or “our church,” but to be co-workers with God in the building of His Church. Leaders should not lead others to themselves, but to Jesus. Only developed leaders can develop leaders. We need to lead well so others will follow by modeling good leadership. Leaders should flow from the heart of compassion, a heart transformed by God’s power, and fueled by His love.

In conclusion, it is time for Godly leaders to arise, build an army, gather the harvest, and make a major change in their homes, societies, and spheres of influence. Because there is no substitute in the leader’s life for time with the Lord through prayer, reading the Word, and spending time in the secret place with Him, we should be encouraging rising leaders in these daily practices. Encourage them, but not drive them as they fulfill God’s vision He placed inside them. I encourage leaders to allow God to be your guide, see with clear vision, lead with integrity and Godly character above ability, and most importantly obey the voice of God. Good visionary leaders must be Spirit empowered, which is the ingredient that separates a good leader from a God appointed leader.