Character

Today is the last day of the first week of my second semester of graduate studies. And what a semester this is going to be; I am very excited about the course load. I am taking a New Testament class focusing on the Epistles through Revelation; Church History focusing on the Reformation through the modern era; and a pastoral theology & worship class.

In my pastoral theology class this week we discussed the five "P's" of leadership: Prayer, plan, prepare, practice, and perform. Great thoughts that can take some time to meditate on and apply. Specifically the 'P' of planning. I can definitely use some work when it comes to this area of my life. Taking time throughout the week to work specifically on areas that need work. Carving time to intentionally focus on projects that get neglected yet are crucial in taking me to the next level of life.

It made me think about the reality of leadership; much of what we do is imposed on us by outside factors. Buildings, budgets, and bodies can be a focus we can not escape and our planning is around these things. But what about the leader who is not yet in a position and much of the planning is self-imposed. What benchmarks should that leader be looking at to see if they are focused in the right direction?

I respect and value this professor so much. His answer, in my opinion, is absolutely right on. He answered (my shortened version) the leader needs to focus on character. He elaborate a bit, but for now I want to focus in on my thoughts about how to assess character. I'm trying to think of how to take a personal character inventory. What types of things should we be looking for in our lives to see where we are at on the road to quality and deep character and what indicators should we look for to see if aspects of our character need work. Self character assessment is almost impossible. I'm realizing I will need to cultivate some quality relationships with other men whom I trust in order to help me hold up the mirror and do some character construction.

Not to be trite, but "male accountability" is way overused and often misunderstood. I have seen groups of men get together and ask 'specific' questions and everyone has to answer 'honestly' and if we have a good week then it's some back-slapping, good 'ole boy congrats and if we mess up then it's some hearty c'mon man's, get in the game's. Blech. Talk about a recipe for failure. It's totally law based. I'm sure there would be someone reading this who would disagree and say, "That stuff is important, Brian." That's okay. I'll give you the freedom to be wrong.

More on that later.

For now, I've got some planning to do.

Insightful Questions

Kevin DeYoung posted on his sight today some questions from chapter 5 of J. Oswald Sanders book, 'Spiritual Leadership'. This is a fantastic book, and I appreciate the questions each time I read them. I'm grateful because they are a tool one can use to sort of peak into ones life without doing so much self-analyzing they get caught in one's own navel.

Here they are:

1. Have you ever broken yourself of a bad habit? To lead others, one must be master of oneself.

2. Do you retain control of yourself when things go wrong? The leader who loses self-control in testing circumstances forfeits respect and loses influence. He must be calm in crisis and resilient in adversity and disappointment.

3. Do you think independently? While using to the full the thought of others, the leader cannot afford to let others do his thinking or make his decisions for him.

4. Can you handle criticism objectively and remain unmoved under it? Do you turn it to good account? The humble man can derive benefit from petty and even malicious criticism.

5. Do you possess the ability to secure discipline without having to resort to a show of authority? True leadership is an internal quality of the spirit and requires no external show of force.

6. Have you qualified for the beatitude pronounced on the peacemaker? It is much easier to keep the peace than to make peace where it has been shattered. An important function in leadership is conciliation—the ability to discover common ground between opposing viewpoints and then induce both parties to accept it.

7. Can you induce people to do happily some legitimate thing that they would not normally wish to do?

8. Can you accept opposition to your viewpoint or decision without considering it a personal affront and reacting accordingly? Leaders must expect opposition and should not be offended by it.

9. Do you find it easy to make and keep friends? Your circle of loyal friends is an index of the quality and extent of your leadership.

10. Are you unduly dependent on the praise or approval of others? Can you hold a steady course in the face of disapproval and even temporary loss of confidence?

11. Do your subordinates appear at ease in your presence? A leader should give an impression of sympathetic understanding and friendliness that will put others at ease.

12. Are you really interested in people? In people of all types and all races? Or do you entertain respect of persons? Is there hidden racial prejudice? An antisocial person is unlikely to make a good leader.

13. Do you possess tact? Can you anticipate the likely effect of a statement before you make it?

14. Do you nurse resentments, or do you readily forgive injuries done to you?

15. Are you reasonably optimistic? Pessimism is no asset to a leader.

16. Do you welcome responsibility?

17. Do other people’s failures annoy us or challenge us?

18. Do you direct people or develop people?

19. Do you criticize or encourage?

20. Do you shun the problem person or seek him out?

I look forward to taking some time this weekend and going through them again and processing in my journal the thoughts/convictions these questions prompt.