I have gone off-line this past month to focus on an academic project, but I wanted to at least share something from a podcast I heard while tending some housekeeping details in my office. It was so good I had to stop and take notes to share with others. Here’s the title and link if you have time:
Highest Potential Podcast – February 18, 2021
“Dr. Les Ollila: A Leader of Leaders”
https://today.bju.edu/president/les-ollila-leader-leaders/
Dr. Steve Pettit asked some great questions, and Dr. Les Ollila gave some great answers. These are my notes below, quoting or paraphrasing from the podcast. But again, let me encourage you to give the podcast a listen. My notes are missing all the color of Dr. Ollila’s personality, analogies, and life experience that come out in his answers.
What is leadership?
Leadership is servitude – Philippians 2:1–8. It is not pragmatism, which leads to syncretism and focuses on man instead of God.
What is a good, basic definition of a spiritual leader?
A person who is placed by God into leadership, is Spirit-filled, and has the mentality to model servant leadership just like Christ served the church.
What are the driving motivations for leadership?
The glory of God – giving a right opinion of what God is like. “If you are not what you want your people to become, you will become what your people are.”
Why won’t some people be leaders?
There’s too much of a price tag involved. They want other people to take the hits.
What is the focus of a leader?
First, keep your passion for Christ growing – early morning time in the Word and prayer stabilize your focus. Second, keep your eye on your mission. Third, keep your relationships right as much as humanly possible. “As much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men.”
About David Huffstutler
David pastors First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL, serves as a chaplain for his local police department, and teaches as adjunct faculty at Bob Jones University. David holds a Ph. D. in Applied Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His concentration in Christian Leadership focuses his contributions to pastoral and practical theology.
