What leadership follows

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 
1 Timothy 3:1

When he was a boy, my son, Matthew, and I went to see the Cleveland Indians play the Baltimore Orioles, whose shortstop, Cal Ripken, Jr., had already become one of the great baseball legends of all time.

What kid doesn’t want to grow up to be great at something?  An Olympic athlete ... the rock star ... an actress ... a pro football player ... a ballerina.  Face it, we’ve all had those Walter Mitty fantasies about the big stage, the heroic feats, and personal greatness.  (All done in great humility, of course!)

But few among us actually realize such grandiose dreams.  So what is it about these people that propels them to greatness?  Certainly, talent is a factor.  But more so, I think it comes down to an uncommon commitment to – and respect for – the fundamentals of an endeavor.  Focus every day on execution excellence, and greatness, if it is to be, will follow.

As we watched the teams warm up that day, what struck me was Cal Ripken’s discipline and his attention to the details of his position.  Knees bent in an “L” shape ... head down ... eye on the ball ... free hand follows the ball into the glove ... smooth throw to first.  If anyone could afford to shrug off practice and not take it seriously, it would be Ripken.  But he remained singularly focused on executing the basics.  Ball ... after ball ... after ball ... after ball ...

Likewise, I believe there are fundamentals that equip one for Christian leadership.  During his teenage years, I would occasionally counsel Matthew, “If you simply do the right thing, others will take courage from you and follow.”

So what “right thing” demands our focus?  Paul gave Timothy a laundry list, including blamelessness, faithfulness, self-control, family leadership, sincerity, honesty and others.  Focus every day on obedience excellence, and leadership, if it is to be, will follow.

[To see the qualifications for Christian leadership in today's text, 1 Timothy 3, click here.  To see additional Christian leadership qualifications in Paul's letter to Titus, click here.]