What makes a great leader great? I'm sure if you asked 10 people you would get a variety of answers. There are many things that go into great leadership but one of the foremost is planning. Great leaders have a clear vision and a plan for where they want to lead their people. They also do a great job at communicating that plan to their team. Strategic planning is simply having a vision for where you want to go and then establishing the priorities and steps necessary to get there. In 1 Corinthians 16 we get some insight into strategic planning from one of the early church's greatest leaders--the Apostle Paul. Notice six principles that went into his strategic plan. First, there was proper preparation (vv1-4). Paul discusses a collection the Corinthians were taking for needy believers in Jerusalem and exhorts them to have everything done and in place before he arrives. This would allow him and the church to maximize their time together. Second, remain flexible in your planning (vv5-7). If they are not careful, leaders can become slaves to their plans. Plans are a means to an end, not the end in themselves. Paul stayed flexible when it came to the amount of time he would spend in Corinth. Third, capitalize on your opportunities (vv8-9). Paul saw enormous opportunities where he was at in Ephesus and wanted to do all he could to capture them. Fourth, be realistic (v9). Yes there were enormous opportunities but Paul also realized their was much opposition. He didn't sugar-coat the reality of the difficulties he would have to go through to accomplish his plans. Fifth, fully utilize your team (vv10-20). In these few verses we see how Timothy, Apollos, Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus, Aquilla, and Priscilla all had roles to play in this plan. Finally, maintain the proper attitude. (vv13-14). This means having courage, faith, determination, attentiveness, and most of all, love. If you want to be a great leader, then learn from one of the best and apply Paul's six principles to your strategic planning.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.
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