INTRODUCTION

It’s not scientifically possible, but wouldn’t it be great to travel through time? If you could choose any period of time and any place, where would you go? What year would you return to? Is there some famous historical event you’d like to witness firsthand?

If I could time travel, if only one time, I’d like to travel back to 1983 and talk to the younger version of myself. He was a lot skinnier, much better looking and far less teachable. Still I would like to reason with him and prepare him for the journey of leadership ahead.

What would I say to my younger self? Essentially, I’d say everything I’ve written in this book. I wish someone had spoken to me about the many issues I’ll raise in this book. It would have saved me a lot of heartache, a lot of unnecessary struggles and a lot of painful life lessons. On the other hand, it would have helped me to get my life and leadership together a lot more quickly.

Of course, time travel isnot possible. As much as I would love to go back in time and counsel myself, it can’t happen. But I can pass on what I have learned to guide the tiers of leaders who are following.

That is what this book is all about. It is a Biblical and practical guide for how leaders of all ages can get their life and leadership together. Blending the wise principles of Scripture with examples from Biblical leaders, along with practical experiences from contemporary leaders and my own life, we’re going to explore how we lead ourselves.

In Christian leadership, we don’t primarily lead from the top down (hierarchical), but from the inside out (incarnational). In other words, theway we lead and influence people, in a ministry context, is notjust by our words, decisions, directives or position, but by the authenticity and example of our lives—who we arewithin.

Confidence and trust in leaders doesn’t automatically come by virtue of their position, title or gifting, but from the consistent frui