Leadership Matters

Our recent General Election campaign, and the startling outcomes, have revealed again the central importance of good leadership. 

I didn't vote for the Conservatives, nationally or locally, but I can see that they were more able to present a compelling vision than their major rivals. And in Scotland, the SNP swept the board because they had a clear and simple message. Whether these respective visions can be turned into reality will be the challenge facing those in power. We shall wait and see!

Jesus was and is a compelling leader because he was very clear about his vision, that would change the world for good.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18-20)

Good leaders communicate a compelling vision to their followers, and Jesus was very clear about the task that his followers share.

David Cameron is getting on with the job of choosing his team, for Cabinet posts and other responsibilities. He will want them to share his vision of the future, and then work with him to deliver that vision in practice.

Jesus, too, calls us to share his vision, and he chooses us for that very purpose. ' I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.' (John 15.15-17)

Jesus calls us to be his fruitful friends, so that others may be blessed.

I find that I need to be reminded of these basic facts daily - otherwise, I become taken up with my small (and often self-centred) projects and plans. But Jesus has a BIG PLAN that includes us, and he calls us to join him in this project - to love the world in his name. This is costly, as his ministry and death demonstrated, but the outcomes are secure, as his resurrection showed.

Just as Jesus is clear about where we are going with him, let us also be clear where we are going!

Best wishes,

Richard

Victory & Defeat

VE Day is a bittersweet reminder that the war in Europe ended 70 years ago. While the Allies could rejoice in their hard-fought victory, those defeated had little to celebrate. But in the years since then, through the hard work of French and German leaders, enemies have become friends and colleagues, and there has been a measure of stability in Western Europe unknown in its turbulent history. This particular 'Victory & Defeat' has produced many good results.

Today's election results, so far from what what predicted, has produced clear winners - the Conservatives and the Scottish Nationalists - and clear losers - the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. 'Victory & Defeat' here may be better or worse than the past, depending on your point of view. These next few years will be interesting!

Victory & Defeat is at the heart of the Bible's story. 

The illegal execution of Jesus outside the walls of Jerusalem certainly looked like a disastrous defeat, but St. Paul tells us that it was a decisive victory.  'Jesus disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.' (Colossians 2.15) 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul again emphasises that the death of Jesus was God's way to win an outstanding victory over all the forces of sin and death, so that we can know peace and security, as we trust in Jesus.'If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.' (Romans 8.31-34)

In the light of this wonderful victory, Jesus calls us to be peace-makers in our day. Our politicians have the responsibility of making the future better for all in our nations, and locally, we can make a difference. 'God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.' (Matthew 5.9)

Best wishes,

Richard