Recently I tweeted these words:

3 signs you're NOT a leader in the Kingdom: you take things TOO personally, you hold onto grudges, and you want leadership TOO much.

I've seen it time and again in my own leadership. Any time I am doing one of these three things I am undercutting the Spirit's work in the midst of a group, I am making it about me, and I am subverting the Kingdom.

As a result, I have come to the conclusion that I must consistently test myself and allow others to test me in these 3 areas. Because when I start to indulge in these behaviors (which is inevitable) and let them linger, I not only will be messing myself up royally, I'll be undercutting the reign of Christ – the work of God in our midst – in and through my mis-motivated leadership. So here's some comments on each of these three.

1) TAKING THINGS TOO PERSONALLY

A sign that leadership has gone bad is when someone's criticism or even comments threaten your sense of security. Of course this is easier said than done. I think ...