Leadership is the ability to design and direct people to work as a team. It is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as:<\/p>\n An artist begins their design with an image which they, in turn, utilize several products to create it into a replica of that image. Leadership begins with a purpose which one utilize several ideas to ensure its\u2019 fruition.\u00a0 They both require one to have goals, ideas, skills, creativity and knowledge to achieve the goal. DePree suggests that Leadership is an Art, and I agree.<\/p>\n One can find many books and seminars on Leadership. There are many personality tests that identify the skills one possess. The spiritual world has created a test which determines the spiritual gifts one possesses. A person must possess an inner gift (skills, creativity) that helps them perform as an effective and intimate leader. DePree introduced the \u201cCovenantal relationships which are based on shared commitments to ideas, to issues, to values, to goals and management processes. They reflect unity and grace and poise.\u201d \u00a0(60) He said \u201cthose folks are a gift to the spirit\u2019\u201d (62)<\/p>\n Richard Lorenzen article, The Art of Leadership: Become A More Effective Leader In 3 Steps, states, \u201ca leader needs to have exceptional skills to interact and persuade others, and it is an art and science. A leader must have a vision and be able to clearly and vividly communicate this vision to others in a compelling way that will persuade them to follow you.\u201d [3]<\/a><\/p>\n DePree stated, \u201cThe first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader.\u201d (11) This is on point. Jesus was an awesome leader. He demonstrated and taught that we should be a servant. He is our Savior, yet he said he came to serve and not to\u00a0be served. As a debtor, maybe one could use the scene where Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, is an example. My leadership style has been one of a servant. I wanted to ensure all that were a part of the purpose were able to present their best. As a leader, I have been assigned to lead in ways to provide a work environment which supports positive self-esteem and assist them in achieving their goals. This process requires teaching them skills, encouraging them during their low moments, allow them independence to fail or succeed and provide patience. A leader must have open communication and honest feedback with the team. In fact, DePree stated, \u201cThe measure of leadership is not the quality of the head, but the tone of the body. The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers. Are the followers reaching their potential? Are they learning? Serving? Do they achieve the required results? Do they change with grace? Manage conflict?\u201d (12)<\/p>\n Everyone is not a leader for long term projects but could handle short-term projects. To be an effective leader, one must be artful in their techniques of leading others. Jesus was an example of an effective leader. He utilized parables to those he taught. The parables were filled with wisdom and keys that related to their lives and culture. Jesus was respectful of the disciples who strengthen his team, and they were inspired to follow and support him on this long and challenging journey. DePree stated, \u201cParticipative management arises out of the heart and out of a personal philosophy about people.\u201d (24)<\/p>\n In\u00a0some churches, there are pastors with limited leadership skills. We, the people of God, believe that He equips us with what we need. There are many ministers serving as Pastors because they believe God called them to that position. Truth be known, it is evident that they were not. The scripture says you will know them by their fruit. I ask the question, did they enter a position that did not support their call to the ministry? Maybe they were called to be a supporting preacher, teacher, or serve in another capacity. There are so many preachers that want to be a Pastor because that is a high honor. There are some whose congregations don\u2019t have more than ten people and have been in operation for many years and never grew. I always wondered was it their calling or was it something they just thought \u201csurely this is what he has called me to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Then we have the leaders that we learned as a child in the games we played “Simon says” and you do as Simon says are you are off the team.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [1]<\/a>\u00a0Merriam-Webster, accessed 03\/22\/2017,\u00a0https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/art.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dminlgp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/art-blog-248x300.jpg\")
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