Without some central authority, society will disintegrate into chaos and anarchy.

We all want to feel spiritually vigorous, and we hurt when we don't. This pain is intensified for people who lead church ministries.

Obedience is a strong virtue, capable of making me master of my emotions by giving me more strength to conquer my pride as I submit to those above me out of respect for their God-given authority and those below me out of love.

Spoiled children lack a true respect for authority, especially when they do not get what they want when they want it. Their lack of reverence for authority sets them up to be easily offended with God.

At the first he told them he would; but afterwards he made a demur at the business, and desired first to see my mittimus, which ran to this purpose: That I went about to several conventicles in the county, to the great disparagement of the government of the church of England, etc.  When he had seen it, he said that there might be something more against me than was expressed in my mittimus;

Bun.  That practice of theirs, I abhor, said I; yet it doth not follow that, because they did so, therefore all others will do so.  I look upon it as my duty to behave myself under the King's government, both as becomes a man and a Christian, and if an occasion were offered me, I should willingly manifest my loyalty to my Prince, both by word and deed.

If any of those who were awakened by my ministry, did after that fall back (as sometimes too many did), I can truly say, their loss hath been more to me, than if one of my own children, begotten of my own body, had been going to its grave:

True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy is a little time—either to increase your level of influence with others or to undermine it.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." That may be true. But it's also true that you can feed a horse salt and make him thirsty.

If my people learn to trust me, I'll get their attention. But if I initiate trust in my people, I'll get their action.

There is nothing more tragic than when a Christian leader loses God's anointing on his life by allowing himself to become sidetracked. There is no higher violation of God's trust. For when a leader stumbles, others fall.

3. People buy into the leader before they buy into the plan.