new reading

Traditionally, I avoid books pertaining to becoming successful. I guess I view them as "self-help," which I am not a real fan of. I know what happens when I try to help myself in my own strength. I always prefer reading books about biblical truth or ones geared for entertainment.

I picked up Leaders Who Last during my last week in India. I figured I should at least read some material about leadership if I am to faithfully follow God's call into ministry. The author, Dave Kraft, has been involved in training Christian leaders for nearly forty years in addition to serving as a leader at various stops along the way. He says his life's mission is to train effective Christian leaders since most burn out before reaching the end.

The most recent chapter dealt with the issue of leaders needing to be passionate. Kraft observes too many Christian leaders trying to lead void of any passion.

"Passion is contagious. Passion will have more of an impact than personality...[passion is] a genuine joy that flows from a leader in love with Jesus Christ...Passion is a God thing, not a personality thing...different Christian leaders have different combinations of gifts and different personalities, but are all passionate because they are deeply connected with God and his purpose for their lives...Passion needs to be recaptured in all its fullness within the ranks of Christian leadership."

I'm not in a position of leadership at this present juncture. But my prayer is for God to be instilling a passion within my heart for the day He places me in such a position. Christ was a man of great passion. His passion was for the glory of the Father and seeing His will being done on earth. I also pray for all leaders (and all Christians too) to have the passion that is a genuine joy that flows from a leader in love with Jesus Christ.