Lessons from Nehemiah

⊙ Leaders need to care deeply about the mission and goals of the church (Neh. 1:4)

⊙ Leaders need to confess their sins and the sins of their people (Neh 1:6-9) and lead their people to confession and repentance (Neh 9:1-3)

⊙ Leaders need to be people of prayer, showing their dependence on God (Neh 1:4-11; 2:4; 5:19; 6:9, 14); Praying against the enemy (4:4 6:14).

⊙ Leaders need to conquer their fears and attempt great things for God (Neh 2:1-3)

⊙ Leaders have clear goals and a plan to achieve them (Neh 2:6-8)

⊙ Leaders make a realistic assessment of where they are right now (Neh 2:13-16). Leaders make periodic assessments in order to monitor where they are at at any given time (Neh 4:10). Then they tweak or change their plans accordingly (4:10-23)

⊙ Leaders communicate the vision/goals and the plan to achieve them (Neh 2:17-18). They must clearly and passionately communicate why this vision or goal is important (Neh 4:14) and encourage them in the Lord.

⊙ Leaders understand that once the project begins there will be obstacles and opposition (Neh 2:19-20; 4:1-4, 7-8, 10-11). Leaders need to be ready to challenge and confront opposition (4:9; 6:1-14)

⊙ Leaders organize their people into a united effort. Everyone working on their piece of the project (Neh 3; 4:16-18); leaders need to encourage people to work with all their heart (4:6)

⊙ Leaders must discern what is God's part (and pray about it) and what's our part (make plans & do it) (Neh 4:9; 6:10-14)

⊙ Leaders need to challenge others to sacrifice for the sake of the cause/vision (Neh 4:22-23)

⊙ Leaders need to deal with unruly team members. They must confront sin (Neh 5:1-13; 13:6-11, 17; 25); When necessary, a leader must replace bad leadership and managers (Neh 13:13, 28)

⊙ Leaders must be an example of what they require of others (Neh 5:14-19)

⊙ Spiritual Leaders teach the Word and make it understandable (Neh 8)

⊙ Leaders ask their leaders for commitment (and their people) (Neh 9:38-10:39)

⊙ Leaders celebrate the organization's victories (Neh 12:27)

⊙ Leaders must diligently supervise those who are carrying out the plans and the vision to make sure that the proper things are happening at the proper time. Failure to properly supervise our leaders in their work will allow them to slip into negligence and laziness (Neh 13:6-11)