Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another…

– Colossians 3:11-13

Happy Monday, friends! Today I’m going to be pointedly not political, while at the same time offering something to chew on when it comes to thinking about how we vote and why we vote the way we do.

The topic – and not for the first time – is leadership. I believe that a huge contributing factor to the polarization, and the anger, and the unusual levels of hostility we’re witnessing in 2020 comes from ineffective and/or inappropriate leadership, across the board.

Leadership is about about trust, not tyranny; about humility, not hubris; about consensus, not controversy; about building up, not tearing down; about listening, not lambasting; about building bridges, not walls; about being gracious, not the current climate of gracelessness.

Inspirational words for today:

So here is my word for Monday morning: listen to Rebekah’s message on leadership (from Sunday worship at WFPC) then think about A) – what you are looking for in our leaders, and B) – how we ourselves contribute to the conversation via the witness of our lives, and our interactions with those around us (her message begins around 23:30 mark).

Also – and this is key – remember the important role each one of us plays as a leader. People are inspired and guided by those around them, and we all have some responsibility when it comes to changing the atmosphere from one of polarized hostility to one of mutually beneficial community.

Trust, grace, humility, encouragement, listening. – DEREK