What is spiritual leadership? Such a vague question warrants caution. Spiritual leadership cannot be defined by the same ethical evaluations found in corporate America, sports teams, or political platforms. Certainly spiritual leadership has elements of integrity, passion, honesty, courage and the like, but it is much more than that, much more. 

     In short, spiritual leadership is simply the ability to lead others to a better understanding of God’s will for their lives. It is influence from within. It is the unseen quality of someone trying to guide someone else to the divine, and succeeding. It is helping others shape their values, principles, and convictions from a biblical perspective.

     Too often we think that only pastors, presidents, and prophets can be spiritual leaders, when in reality, a majority of spiritual leaders rarely hold titles or positions of prominence. They can be seen taking their children to school, helping someone find a seat at church, or simply bringing water to the pastor. Quite literally, spiritual leaders are everywhere, doing many things to bring others to the will of God.  As a spiritual leader, ask yourself a question, “What is the one defining characteristic that makes for the most effective spiritual leadership?”  Tomorrow we will try to answer this question.