Archive for March, 2017
EP 2: Life and Leadership Today with Guest, Cheryl Bachelder
In this episode, Ronnie interviews Cheryl Bachelder, CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. She is a strategic leader, focused on developing outstanding leaders and creating effective teams that win.
In 2007, Cheryl was called upon to become the CEO of Popeyes. In her newly released book, Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others, we learn that when she took over at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., the stock price had fallen to $13 a share. Popeyes stock price on March 1, 2017, closed at $79.01 a share, six times greater than when she began leading this major restaurant group. Through determining to lead the company in a new way, Cheryl is leading one of the greatest business turnarounds in recent American business history, recognized by numerous personalities and media, including the Wall Street Journal. In fact, on February 21, 2017, it was made public that the owner of Burger King, Restaurant Brands International, Inc., is purchasing Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. for $1.8 billion cash. You will be inspired by what she has to share.
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
The Spiritual State of Our Nation in 2017
There is not any one spiritual leader who has the inside track on the spiritual state of our nation in 2017. I am but one American pastor, but I would like to share from my eyes and heart the spiritual state of our nation in 2017.
Division Increases While Polarization Deepens
Division continues to increase in America while polarization deepens. Our nation is deeply polarized around differing worldviews, diverse political opinions, and by a proud, arrogant zeal to fight against one another. It is indisputable that threats against our national security still greatly exist, violence continues to erupt against one another endlessly, racial tensions are continually rising, and human life continues to be devalued daily. All the while, we are seeing human rights both idolized and deified.
Though Fear Grips, Faith Lives
America is a nation gripped with fear. Many in our nation fear the future, fear what America is becoming, and fear the outcomes of decisions being made today. While some fear where we may be going, others are equally fearful of what may happen if we do not take radical actions now. Simultaneously, faith lives in the hearts of many regarding our future because some decisions are addressing things that have been neglected for decades.
Church Responds Rather Than Leads
While all of these things and more are going on in America, the American church has become more responsive to our current situation rather than providing proactive leadership to America during this time. The church is not here to reflect the American culture, but to impact the American culture; even to the point of creating a unique path that is set forth by biblical authority, made clear with divine purpose, and focused on finishing our God-ordained assignment to make disciples of all the nations. As the church leads, we need to lead with love, not from the outside in, trying to impress the world, but from the inside out because it is who we genuinely are.
As I have recently stated, I believe people change the world.
Now What? We Must Rise to Action!
So, what is the actual spiritual state of our Union? The answer is both simple and similar.
We need to repent, come back to God, and put our trust in God alone. America needs a Great Spiritual Awakening.
We need to come together as a nation.
We need to refuse to be pulled apart by our carnal nature and egotistical pride. We need the church to refuse division within our family over tertiary matters so we can have the public integrity as one family to speak to and lead our nation in fundamental and central matters that are of far greater importance to the health of our nation.
We need to resolve that we will not walk in the same steps as this world; but the steps we take should be in the same footprints of our Sovereign God who orders our steps and loves us unconditionally.
We need to pray like it all depends on God, because in reality, I believe it does; but at the same time, find ways to work together like it all depends on us. By the way, thank God it does not depend on us.
Even while the prophet Jeremiah informed the people of God they would be in exile experiencing the judgment of God for seventy years in the godless nation of Babylon, God intervened to tell them through Jeremiah the words recorded in Jeremiah 29:11-13,
“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
God speaks; enough said.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry, and host of the Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today podcast.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.