“Dive into ‘The Center of it All’ to uncover how Basketball and Biblical wisdom can fuel modern leadership with a Christ-centered purpose, transforming both you and your organization.”
As a basketball fan, I have always admired the intricate lines on the court and how teams use different strategies to outplay their opponents. Hours of practice, watching the game tape, and Xs and Os all over the whiteboards (Have I ever mentioned that I love whiteboards). Coaches bring out their small whiteboards during breaks in the action to sketch up the upcoming plays and ensure that everyone is prepared to go. The lines, tactics, percentages, and pressure to score can make it simple to get lost. But regardless of how many strategies, drills, plays, or shots are taken, the game always begins in the center of the court.
The center of the court is where the action always begins.
In our own lives, we often have our own “center of the court” – something that everything else revolves around. For some, it may be their career, for others, it may be their family or hobbies. But as Christians, our center should always be Christ. But if we are honest, at times we too can find ourselves slipping into our identity being in other things.
As leaders, it’s easy to fall into the trap of relying on our own abilities or accomplishments. We may face temptations of materialism or lose sight of our purpose in serving those we lead. 1 Timothy provides a roadmap for us to follow, offering seven key lessons that can guide us as we seek to lead with a Christ-centered purpose.
1. Monitor Motivation:
One of the first lessons we can learn from 1 Timothy is the importance of monitoring our motivation for leading. It’s easy to get caught up in personal gain or financial success, but true leadership requires selflessness and a heart for serving others. We should constantly evaluate our inner desire to ensure that we are motivated by a desire to serve others rather than further our own interests.
Ask
- When facing challenges or difficult choices, how do you seek guidance and find strength? Is your faith in Christ a central source of support, or do you rely more on your own abilities and external factors?
- What is the driving force behind your actions and decisions in life? Are they primarily motivated by a desire to follow Christ’s teachings and serve others, or are they driven by personal gain and self-interest?
2. Emphasize Scripture:
As leaders, we have a responsibility to encourage those we lead to engage with Scripture in both public and private settings. This means prioritizing time for Bible study and emphasizing the importance of doctrine, exhortation, and application to daily life. We can do this by incorporating Scripture into our messages and teachings and creating opportunities for group study and discussion.
Ask
- How often do I personally engage with Scripture in my private life (not just for teaching opportunities), and am I consistently growing in my understanding of biblical doctrine and teachings?
- Am I actively encouraging those I lead to prioritize Bible study and providing them with resources or opportunities for deeper engagement with Scripture?
3. Develop Leadership Pipelines:
Another important lesson from 1 Timothy is the value of developing leadership pipelines. We should establish clearly defined leadership positions that follow a discipleship pathway, allowing individuals’ roles and influence to expand as their relationship with the Lord matures. This helps ensure that we are equipping and empowering leaders who are firmly grounded in their faith.
Ask
- How am I actively identifying and nurturing emerging leaders, providing them with mentoring, training, and support to ensure they are firmly grounded in their faith?
- Am I regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the leadership pipeline and making adjustments as needed to ensure it aligns with the principles of developing leaders as described in 1 Timothy?
4. Create Raving Fans:
It’s important to recognize, celebrate, and honor those who give to the church via practical service. We must show our appreciation for the contributions of those we lead and create a culture of gratitude and celebration. By doing so, we can build a team of raving fans who are committed to the mission and vision of the organization.
Ask
- Have I created a culture within the community that encourages gratitude, celebration, and acknowledgment of the efforts and dedication of those we lead?
- Do I regularly seek feedback from those I lead to gauge their level of satisfaction and engagement, and am I responsive to their input in improving the overall experience?
5. Pray for Public Services:
It’s crucial that we consistently pray for those in public service. As leaders, we have a unique opportunity to model the importance of prayer and encourage those we lead to do the same. We should pray for the spread of the gospel in our cities and states and for the safety and protection of God’s people.
Ask
- How am I modeling the importance of prayer for those I lead, both in public and private settings, and am I actively encouraging them to prioritize prayer for public servants as well?
- Am I informed about the specific needs and challenges faced by public servants in my area, and do I tailor my prayers to address these issues effectively?
6. Help Those in Need:
As leaders, we should stand by those who lack alternative means of legitimate family assistance. This includes establishing a fund to aid widows and those in genuine need. We must show empathy for those in difficult situations and offer support where possible.
Ask
- How do I demonstrate empathy and understanding towards those in difficult situations, and am I approachable and accessible to those who may require assistance?
- Can I provide examples of specific instances where I have offered support to individuals in need, and how have these efforts made a positive impact on their lives?
7. Teach Financial Stewardship:
Finally, we should help those we lead understand the importance of financial stewardship. This means demonstrating our dedication to caring for both our finances and our spirituality. We can do this by providing resources and education on biblical financial principles and modeling good financial habits ourselves.
Ask
- How am I modeling good financial habits and practices, both in my personal life and in my leadership role, to serve as an example for others to follow?
- Do I provide resources and educational materials on biblical financial principles to those I lead, and do I make these resources easily accessible?
As leaders, it’s crucial that we ground ourselves in Christ-centered purpose and remain committed to serving those we lead. We can use the lessons from 1 Timothy to guide us in our leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of monitoring our motivation, emphasizing Scripture, developing leadership pipelines, creating raving fans, praying for public services, helping those in need, and teaching financial stewardship. By doing so, we can lead with confidence, knowing that our leadership is grounded in the principles of Christ.
