Must We Go Through Fire and Rain on the Way to Sainthood?
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4 Characteristics Needed for Christian Leadership:
Essence and foundations of Christian leadership
One of the main themes of Catholic author Alexandre Harvard is the development of leadership. Specifically he states that his mission is to “Ignite hearts for greatness and transform the resultant fire into a powerful habit of the mind and the will.” And that greatness in an individual cannot be realized without the essence of leadership: magnanimity and humility. That is, they have to challenge themselves to strive for greatness and at the same time serve others. Magnanimity and humility cannot be achieved however, without these 4 personal characteristics: prudence, courage, self mastery, justice. Match these characteristics with your personal mission.
1. Prudence - A prudent man is sensible and discerning; thus confident in decision making. He is knowledgeable while at the same time would not flaunt. Similarly, how could a flaunting person serve others? Prudence requires humility in order to serve.
John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
2. Courage - Have the daring to take risks, and yet with stick-to-itiveness? As endurance builds, fear diminishes and stability increases.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love, and self-control.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
3. Self Mastery - Everything in moderation and elimination of excessive indulgence is a requisite for self mastery. Channel your energy to the mission at hand. Spirit and energy dominate over emotions and passions, power and pleasures.
Ephesians 5:18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
4. Justice - Keeping it legal and equitable, is to be sure all get what they deserve or are entitled [but not in the political sense of today’s progressive culture]. Without fairness let’s say, the desire to serve is squelched.
Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.”
So whatever talents you have, whatever mission you decide, your effectiveness will depend upon personal characteristics and its moral foundations. I sure hope Alexander Harvard has helped ignite your will and hearts as he has mine. See below for two of his motivating works.
Harvard, Alexandre. Created for Greatness.
Harvard, Alexandre. From Temperament to Character: On Becoming a Virtuous Leader.
Dr. Michael J. Baglino, Ed. D. is a retired college professor, most recently an adjunct prof. in behavioral science at Palm Beach State College, Florida. He is a graduate of both Winona State University, MN and Florida International University, Miami. Michael is also a retired entertainer [singer/actor], performing primarily as a Frank Sinatra tribute artist under the name ‘Michael Matone’. A parishioner of St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church in Wellington, FL, Michael serves as a lector, EM, and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He is a professional member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists. The Baglino family, wife, children and grandchildren all live in South Florida.
He is the author of 5 books, most notably ‘From Gramsci to Freud’ and ‘The Dr. B. Reader on the Ologies’. In his books, Dr. Baglino presents a series of articles and vignettes on religion, psychology, politics and culture. He shows us that God is with us in our daily lives interweaving trials, travels, and decisions with Catholicism. Definitely not without humor, Michael presents a down to earth and Catholic perspective to so many of our contemporary issues. See www.michaelbaglino.com/speaker.
