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Why Authoritarianism is for Amatures

Here is a great depiction of the difference between leadership and authoritarianism from the 1995 movie Braveheart.   

Authority relies on identity, on human greatness, on giving orders, on being better, on being ‘noble’.

Whereas leadership is an ability, a gift and it cares not who you are or who you are not, it cares not about titles or popularity.

Leadership sees things very clearly.

Authority often cannot see clearly, it is distracted by self-preservation and maintaining wealth and portraying image.

Authoritarianism is for amatures; it is not a organizing system cut out for accomplishing the important and weighty things of life. Perhaps this is why Jesus taught against the use of authoritarianism among his disciples and within his church. What the church of Jesus Christ is, is in compatible with authoritarianism.

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles  lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them, it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. – Matthew 20:25-26 NASB

I have found that one of the most important skills in life is not confusing the two. Do not put much credibility in an authoritarian pretending to be a leader.

Happy New Year 2017 and thank you for reading this blog!

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Strengths… Not Gifts

Our personal intelligence, our emotional strength and our strength of personality are the enemies of our spiritual lives, they are not ‘spiritual gifts’.

Our personal boldness and eloquence are the enemies to any ministry in Christ, they are not ‘spiritual gifts’.

Our personal successes, triumphs and strengths are most often the stiff-arms which repel us from Christ.

 

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Four Critical Responsibilities of Dad

Collier (22)

When I look at my kids I wonder how they look at me, I remember as a young child looking at my parents as almost surreal ideals.

I wonder am I setting a good example, should I show open humility or quiet strength.  Should we err on the side of strictness or on the side of leniency.   Is church attendance more critical or is family talks?

Should I focus on being better as a parent or just a better version of me? Do I care too much or too little.

Parenting is exciting and a little scary at the same time.

What I do know I have learned by example, from family, from pastors and from other good parents.

I certainly don’t know everything, I know several men who seem to parent better than I but I have learned a few things about being a dad for 11 years and having 5 kids. I believe that every dad has four critical responsibilities in leading their family.

  1. Be there for them every step of the way – your kids and wife need you throughout their lives, every step, every stage and every struggle. Nothing can substitute for your time, your family needs your time.
  2. Make sure the kids know that they can come talk to dad about anything! Speak up, be involved, let your love and your presence be felt and known.
  3. Treat mom great, no matter what, even if you feel she doesn’t deserve it, kids don’t understand the fights and the squabbles of marriage, if there is fighting all they remember is the negative so be the man, die to your self.  Die to the right of being right, die to your right to being respected and treat her wonderfully, consider it a ministry to her and the kids, it’s not a weakness to die to self so lay down your life for your wife.  This one can be very, very difficult, study more about this in the book of Ephesians and watch other men who have mastered this.
  4. Give the family a vision and goals, give them short-term goals to strive for, try to get mom on board with these, kids like this. Even if its something as simple as saving up for a family vacation.

Families need dads, dads can learn how to take their role seriously and do better.

What other things can dads do to lead their family well?

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