Everywhere we look leadership is in great demand but short supply.

Among the reasons we need to nurture leaders:

Families are in trouble

Terry Dorsett

Though many factors contribute to that stress, what is missing most are fathers who are willing to lead their families in the way God intended. Thank God for all the single moms who are making things work. But I think every single mom would agree that if the Lord gave her a good man who would be the kind of husband and father that was really needed, her family would become stronger.

Churches are in trouble

Though many factors contribute to the decline of church attendance in our culture, what is most missing are deacons, elders and pastors willing to lead. Many want a position of leadership, but few want to do the work of being a leader. Thank God for the older generation that has led for so long, but if a new generation does not step up to the plate and lead, a large number of churches will not exist in the next decade. Churches need leaders willing to do the work that is required of leaders.

Economies are in trouble

Though many factors contribute to the financial challenges that families, organizations and governments are experiencing, what is most missing are leaders willing to make the hard choices that will provide for long-term financial security. Families that do not save for their future are unlikely to ever get to the future they want. Organizations that use money in unwise ways will experience a crisis of donor confidence that eventually lowers giving. Governments that cater to special interest groups instead of making decisions that are best for the larger group become paralyzed. We need leaders willing to make the hard choices even if not everyone agrees with those choices.

As I pondered this, I found these verses of scripture that describe the kind of leaders we need:

Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

Luke 6:31: “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”

Matthew 20:26: “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”

John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.”

Men and women who lead like this will know who they are and where they need to lead us. They can save families, churches and economies. May God help us be leaders like this!

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Terry Dorsett, executive director of the Baptist Convention of New England, is on the Web at thoughtsfromdrt.blogspot.com.)