JD Small
From One Exile to Another

The world that Millennials are trying to navigate is vastly different than any landscape seen by previous generations. Therefore our approach to this generation must be changed, and it must be unique.

From One Exile to Another
Leadership Lessons
JD Small
Does He Know My Address?
Does He Know My Address?
Lessons Learned, Leadership Lessons, Lead
JD Small
The Stage and the Closet

I am convinced now more than ever that prayer is the most important use of our time as Jesus people. The world around us is rocking and reeling in the chaos of culture and it desperately needs an encounter with a Holy God who is madly in love with His creation, humanity. 

The Stage and the Closet
Leadership Lessons
JD Small
Influence and Laziness

Some people are successful at lazy and call it failure.

Influence and Laziness
Lead, Leadership Lessons
JD Small
Currently Reading

I recently heard a leader say "No one can ever take away your education."

Whether intentionally or unintentionally we are constantly learning. The sad reality is that most people go through life choosing to unintentionally learn and add to their education. 

Currently Reading

Lead

Of Course They Are....

"Are leaders born? Of course they are." - John Maxwell

I love this story that John Maxwell shares in many of his books on leadership. John shares the story of someone approaching him and asking the question "Are leaders born?" Without missing a beat he replies "Of course they are! I've never met a leader that was unborn!"

He goes on to explain the heart behind the guys question which really is a question in a lot of our hearts, is the only way to become a leader to be born with the right genes?

There are many examples throughout history and even in our lives today of men and women who seem as though they were born to lead and that if they lead a horse to water, they could indeed also make it drink.

I would argue that leadership and the ability to lead others and organizations and people groups is something that can be learned, that it can be taught.

One of our core values at Lead. Love. Unite. is to create and equip a generation to lead. So we believe wholeheartedly that anyone can increase in their ability to lead. But it will look different than what you may expect.

“25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. 26 But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. ”
— Matthew 20:25-27 New Living Translation

Jesus was talking with his disciples, his boys, the group of people he wholeheartedly believed in, and he is telling them about what it means to lead in the Kingdom of Heaven. He tells his disciples that they shouldn't lead from a place of title or position and use their authority to abuse those beneath them. Instead he points out to them and tells them that leadership is about serving others.

There may be natural talents and abilities that lend themselves to helping people lead that some people have or refine more easily than others, but leading is about serving and serving is a matter of the heart. And last time I checked we all have hearts and therefore have the ability to serve in some capacity at some level.

If you have humility and can serve others, be patient, because over time you may find yourself being followed by those whom you have served, those whose hearts you have attended too, those who you have lifted up in a moment of need. Those you have influenced with the Kingdom.

And after all as John Maxwell says "Leadership is influence, nothing more nothing less."