Leadership Qualities (Lessons from Nehemiah)

1.  Replenish
After traveling 800 miles to Jerusalem Nehemiah replenishes for 3 days.  He takes the time to recharge before setting out on the task before him.

Neh 2:11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days...  

Our vitality bucket must be full for leaders to lead well.

We need to have something in our vitality bucket to draw from. If we're on empty we tend to make bad decisions. 

What are the things that fill you up? What can you do to make sure you are at your best?

Besides being in God's word, what fills me up is a good book, a blanket and a comfy couch.  I recharge with alone time because I am an introvert.  For you it may be completely opposite. 



2.  Define Reality and Communicate it with others
We have to define the reality of the situation and what we are up against.  If not, we can be overly optimistic and fall into despair when that situation seems insurmountable.

Neh 2:17-18 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”  I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.  They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.”

We must also communicate to others what that reality is.  Change can not occur if others are unaware of the problem.

The reality of human trafficking is that there are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world.  It is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world.  There are more slaves today than any other time in history.

We must also remember not to let the reality of the situation allow us to become frozen.  Yes, the reality of trafficking seems insurmountable, but we serve a big God.

3.  Cast the Vision
Leadership is essentially about movement.  Moving people, staff, a ministry, etc from here to there. Always explain why we can't stay in the "here."

Neh 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”

Here =   Israel is in ruins
There  = Let's start rebuilding

The "here" of human trafficking is that human beings are being used for a purpose in which they were not created.  Statistics show that only 1-2% of trafficking victims are ever rescued.  This is not OK.

We must raise awareness and bring this dark criminal industry into the light.  We must focus more attention on the men purchasing sex and hold them more accountable.  We must have better laws and stiffer penalties for the traffickers who are enslaving these women.  We must have more services and safe places for these women to heal.  We must change the mindset of our society to stop objectifying women.

4.  Motivate and Inspire
Recognize that God is in this!  Tell a story that shows how God is moving. 

Neh 2:18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.  They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

Inspired people, inspire people.  They see it in you and become inspired.

5.  Include Everyone.  Work Together
Chapter 3 tells us how everyone was involved in the effort of rebuilding.  Similar to the Acts 2 church where everyone shared, spread the gospel, etc. for the glory of God.  Imagine the impact we could have on human trafficking if everyone was involved.  Everyone united in working together for the cause of Christ who does not desire for any of His children to be in slavery.
 
6.  Align peoples interest. 
Nehemiah set each group to work on the wall that was nearest to their own home. He had them take ownership by being responsible for a certain portion of the wall.  He aligned their passion with the vision. People are more apt to do good work and build a stronger wall if it is for the security of their own family.