Archive for February, 2014
Cross-Generational Leadership
What kind of leader are you? Would you consider yourself a leader to your own generation? What about generations other than yours?
Our Goal
Our goal should be to make the biggest difference in as many lives as we possibly can. Therefore, we need to adjust our leadership as much as we can without ever compromising biblical truth and principles. This is possible, and in reality, we must do it if we are going to make the biggest difference with our own lives.
Someone told me years ago, “The sharper the ax, the bigger the blow!” Therefore, sharpening our leadership can increase the influence we have in the lives of people.
The Key: Leading Cross-Generationally
Few leaders lead across generations of people. What is a cross-generational leader? Leading cross-generationally occurs when you are able to lead people in your own generation, the generation that came before you, and the generation that comes behind you. This is cross-generational leadership.
Quite honestly, few lead like this. Many are so focused on their own generation that they are leaving the others out. Others are so focused only on the generation behind them that they ignore those beside them and ahead of them. This limits your influence in every way.
How to Lead Cross-Generationally
In a conversation with some younger leaders today at Liberty University, I was challenging them in this very area. They asked me how I had learned to lead cross-generationally.
I shared that if a leader is growing in his spiritual life, he should also be learning in other areas of life. I also shared that through the experience of operating in different cultures and leading people from all backgrounds and generations to a common goal, it forges you into the capacity to lead cross-generationally. Or at least, if you want to lead successfully and effectively, it does.
Therefore, here are three quick thoughts to consider:
1. Cross-generational leadership is biblical.
Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus led cross-generationally. They were leaders who reached around, ahead, and behind.
2. Cross-generational leadership is missional.
It is so important that we keep the completion of the Great Commission in everything we do. Presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and making disciples of all the nations is our priority. Since this is our missional calling, it must serve as our missional motivation to impact as many people as possible. The only way to do this is by leading cross-generationally. Again, we must be able to reach people within our generation, behind our generation, and ahead of our generation.
3. Cross-generational leadership is spiritual.
When the Holy Spirit fills, empowers, and anoints us as leaders, He equips us to reach all generations. The love of Christ ignites me to reach all generations. Jesus loves people within my generation. Jesus loves people behind my generation. Jesus loves people ahead of my generation. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit is leading my life and the love of Christ is motivating my life, I will lead cross-generationally.
When You Lead…Lead Cross-Generationally! In the coming days, I will share more on what it means to be a cross-generational leader. Until then…
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | Dear Cross Church Family
Dear Cross Church Family,
I am so excited about “I Love My Church Day” at Cross Church on Sunday, February 16. There are some important things I want you to know about this day.
We are praying that each of you will prioritize your schedule to be at one of our campuses for Worship and Small Groups. Since 1988, we have scheduled one day on our annual calendar to call everyone to gather with God’s people and declare, in attendance and commitment, “I Love My Church!” Invite others! Bring members, attenders, and guests on February 16.
For many years, we have called for a special offering on “I Love My Church Day.” Some of those years, this special offering was used to catch up on our Ministry Budget needs due to Sundays of inclement weather. As you know, since the first of December, we have had three major snow Sundays. Please know, when a snow Sunday occurs, we usually realize about one-third of our normal offering receipts. When this happens, as it has this year, it becomes a huge challenge for us. I am asking everyone from each campus:
1. Make up the giving of the first fruits – the tithe, the 1st tenth – on February 16 if you have missed a Sunday due to weather, sickness, or travel.
2. Give a special gift to our Ministry Budget, as Jeana and I will. Why? It is simple: We love our church! Weekly, we give through automated giving, but in addition to our regular giving, on February 16, we will use the enclosed envelope to give a special gift to our Ministry Budget to the glory of God and the expansion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I really hope you will join us in this sacred cause.
Cross Church is here for you and your family. Here’s another great reason to bring your friends and help us gather our people: On February 16, we will begin a brand new series, called #HelpMyFamily. I am telling you friends, whether you are a teenager, a single adult, married, or a widow, God will speak to your heart in this #HelpMyFamily series.
Pray for “I Love My Church Day” and join us at Cross Church,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.