What do you do with the person who has great influence but little spiritual depth?

A gifted business leader once told me, "Monday through Saturday I'm challenged to the limit. I'm taking risks, I'm making deep commitments in my business. But when I go to church, I'm never challenged or asked to make deep commitments. I'm never asked to take a risk."

That grieves me. Most churches have some wonderful leaders who are nominal spiritually because they've never been challenged. Yet it's easier to bring people around spiritually than it is to raise them up in leadership.

People like that, though, must be developed on the side. They can't be put immediately into leadership in the church; you never compromise the spiritual integrity of the congregation. I'd pour my life into such a leader by praying with him, teaching him to pray Scripture, getting him involved in some accountability group.

I also love to use a great leader as my adviser. I've asked business people, "You're good at finances, so would ...