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Key Bible Verse: He found Philip and said to him, "Come, be my disciple" (John 1:43). Bonus Reading: John 1:35-51

Jesus called his disciples to a person before he called them to the enterprise. Pure leadership (as opposed to management) is mostly seen in the way followers are motivated to voluntarily please their leader.

Back when the National Football League was just starting to come into its own as a major professional sports attraction, I received that kind of personal call. Dave Dixon, a great sports entrepreneur and conceptualizer, called me out of athletic administration at a small college.

Dave said, "Bob, one of these days I'm going to get a pro football franchise, and when I do, I want you with me." Wow! That is a hard-to-resist leadership call. Some years later, Dave had his franchise, and I joined him in it, later joining him again in two other daring and innovative sports undertakings; his personal call was that strong.

Whether your vision for leadership involves leading a godly family, developing a new product, directing a Sunday school class, revitalizing a lackluster ministry, or starting a new business, be sure you speak about it with fervor, frankness, and faith. Those you personally call to follow must be infected with your enthusiasm for the vision.

—Bob Briner in The Leadership Lessons of Jesus

My Response: Does my enthusiasm for my vision show?

Thought to Apply: Leaders don't force people to follow; they invite them on a journey. —Charles Lauer (publisher of Modern Healthcare)

Adapted from The Leadership Lessons of Jesus (with Ray Pritchard, B&H Publishing, 1997, 1998, 2008) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Grow me, Lord, into an unselfish leader who stimulates other disciples to increasing commitment and effectiveness.

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