Often truly authoritative leadership falls on someone who years earlier dedicated themselves to practice the discipline of seeking first the kingdom of God. Then, as that person matures, God confers a leadership role, and the Spirit of God goes to work through him.

Jesus was the meeting place of eternity and time, the blending of deity and humanity, the junction of heaven and earth.

God prepares leaders with a specific place and task in mind. Training methods are adapted to the mission, and natural and spiritual gifts are given with clear purpose.

Pride takes many forms, but spiritual pride is the most grievous. To become proud of spiritual gifts or leadership position is to forget that all we have is from God, all the position we occupy is God's appointment.

One reason why people are unable to understand great Christian classics is that they are trying to understand without any intention of obeying them.

God is always at work, though we cannot see it, preparing people he has chosen for leadership. When the crisis comes, God fits His appointee into the place ordained for him.

True leaders must be willing to suffer for the sake of objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience.