mgpcpastor's blog

I like Chuck Swindoll. Back in the day, I read many of his books, listened to his radio broadcasts, and received his study guides. His book ‘The Grace Awakening’ helped me fall in love with the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone. I even got to go to public meetings that Swindoll spoke at in Brisbane and Melbourne. I don’t know that he is so fond of Calvinists, but nobody’s perfect.
Currently he is Chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary and lead pastor of a church in Dallas. Recently he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at Catalyst 09, (some sort of Christian Conference), and spoke on “10 Things I Have Learned During Nearly 50 Years in Leadership.” What he says is worth listening to.
Here are his ‘ten things’:
1. It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.
2. It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed.
3. It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary.
4. It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.
5. It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.
6. Brokenness and failure are necessary.
7. Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.
8. Integrity eclipses image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.
9. God’s way is better than my way.
10. Christlikeness begins and ends with humility.

In addition to those, Swindoll provided five more points to carry into the future:
1. Whatever you do, do more with others and less alone
2. Whenever you do it, emphasize quality not quantity.
3. Wherever you go, do it the same as if you were among those who know you best.
4. Whoever may respond, keep a level head.
5. However long you lead, keep on dripping with gratitude and grace.

Hat tips. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2009/10/09/chuck-swindoll-10-leadership-lessons-learned-in-50-years-of-leadership/; Z;Out of Ur.