When it comes to fighting global poverty, it often seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day. That’s why this leap year; HOPE International is challenging us to take advantage of the extra 24 hours to dream big: what might happen if we took the value of one day’s salary and paid it forward to help those living in poverty Leap Forward?

If you’re willing to take a leap, the process is easy.

1.       Start the process by viewing their really unique video.

 

2.       Re-gift your Leap Day. Figure out the value of your day on the handy calculator on the Leap Forward website and process your Leap Forward gift.

3.       Take a moment and share this opportunity with friends.

Your leap translates to helping HOPE’s clients in Congo build small businesses. As businesses grow, entrepreneurs are able to provide for their families in a dignified manner with greater access to food, education, medical care and more. In short your small leap is a giant leap forward for someone along the pathway out of poverty.

I played point guard on my high school basketball team. We were pretty good. Not great, but pretty good. And I was average as a point guard…yeah, football and golf were my real sports!

But I learned some solid leadership lessons playing the point, and when I watch great point guards play basketball still today there are lessons that emerge. Here are a few that we can apply to our own leadership paradigms:

1. Making a great pass is as important as making a great shot. Helping someone else on your team succeed is in many ways more important than you being the star.

2. Know the team better than anyone else. Point guards have to be aware of the strengths of each member of the team and understand how best to motivate them and bring out their best.

3. Preparation, knowledge and awareness. As a point guard, you have to be a coach on the court. An extension of your head coach. Part of your responsibility is to read defenses, set up your own defense, and adapt. Being prepared means being knowledgable and smart.

4. Keep your offense in rhythm and on task. Point guards distribute the ball to the playmakers. You have to understand who’s hot and make sure they get the ball, while keeping everyone still involved in the rhythm of the game. This is a tough skill to master.

5. Call the play, and execute the game plan. Point guards must be prepared, but also must make it happen and execute. Ultimately, the point guard has to be a Catalyst and get things done.

6. If needed, take over the game and make a play. Great leaders and great point guards can do this on command. Spread the offense out and take the game winning shot. Steal the ball. Start a fast break. Get the crowd involved. Put the team on your shoulders if needed.

For you basketball experts, what other lessons have you noticed from the great point guards?

Check out Brad's thoughts here or follow him here!

Check out Twenty Seven Million by Matt Redman & LZ7. There are an estimated 27 million people caught up in modern day slavery. They are the voiceless, but together we could be their voice. Download it now to make a difference!

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Humility is a desired, but often neglected characteristic of good, servant leadership. The more we promote ourselves online, the more I'm afraid humility is being forgotten. As one who has an online presence, I consistently sense God reminding me that I've been on the bottom and I can return there.

Pride is a struggle for many leaders (author included), but we must strive to bring humility to our leadership roles.

Here are 10 attributes of a humble leader:

Dangerous Trust - Humility always demands a certain level of trust. A humble leader is willing to take a risk on others, trusting them with the sacredness of the vision, even at the chance they may be disappointed with the outcome.

Sincere Investment - Humble leaders know the vision is bigger and will last longer than they will, so they willingly invest in others, raising up and maturing new leaders.

Gentle, but strong - One can't be a leader and be weak. Every position of leadership will provide a challenge to the leader, but humble leaders have learned the balance between being gentle and remaining strong. (Think Jesus!)

Readily Admits Mistakes - Everyone makes mistakes. In fact, we often learn more through failure than through success. The humble leader is quick to admit when he or she has done wrong and deals with the fault-out without casting blame or making excuses.

Forgives easily - Leadership is filled with disappointment; often at the expense of other's mistakes. A humble leader forgives easily, remembering how many times he or she has been forgiven.

Quickly diverts attention - We all like to be recognized for accomplishments, but a humble leader is quick to divert attention to others, sharing the limelight for successes with those, who many times, may have even had more to do with the success than the leader did. They celebrate the success of others louder than personal success

Remains thankful - A humble leader is appreciative of the input of others into his or her leadership. So much so, that a humble leader naturally praises the actions of others far more than the time spent patting themselves on the back for personal accomplishments. Humble leaders recognize that all good gifts come from above.

Recognizes Limitations - No one can do everything. A humble has the ability to say, "I can't do that or I'm not the one who should".

Shares authority - Humble leaders don't take all the key assignments for themselves, but gives out prime responsibility and authority to people he or she is leading.

Invites feedback - A humble leader wants to learn from his or her mistakes and wants to continually see improvement. Humble leaders initiate other's suggestions and feedback, not waiting until complaints come, but personally asking for the input.

Humility is not putting yourself down as a leader. It's ultimately recognizing who you are in view of Christ and others. The danger in not being a humble leader or considering ourselves better than others, is that one day we may be "humbled". Many of us learn humility the hard way.

What would you add to my list?

This is a guest blog post from Ron Edmondson, check out more of his blog here!

1. Starting out is hard - very hard. That's normal. My personal story is that when I began in vocational ministry less than 3 years ago, many leaders from both of the teams I was hired to lead left within the first few months. Here I was with all of my excitement and vision and lacking the volunteers to move forward. Of course, God was faithful and provided leaders to minister to others, but that first 6 months was really hard. Don't feel discouraged and don't give up. Keep praying and working hard and trust that our faithful God will provide.

2. Use your time to develop people/systems that disciple those you are leading. Yes, providing exciting events or connection times is necessary too, but make that secondary to a culture that produces spiritual growth.

3. Be careful with your high horse. Whatever your high horse is, just be careful you don't become known for fighting against one controversial issue. For example, let's say that you're passionate about promoting women leaders in the church. You are always talking about it. Now, if someone disagrees with you on that point, that person listens to nothing you have to share. And if you are a youth leader, the parents may disagree with your one view and not allow their child to come and be ministered to. Be wise with the battles you choose.

4. Funny YouTube videos will win over any group. That's just a fact.

5. Ministry is absolutely exhausting. Over the long haul, ministry can take its toll on you. Take time away from serving others to do activities that will rejuvenate you. That's not selfishness, it's a combination of wisdom and survival. And never underestimate the importance of a Sabbath.

6. Over communicate with your senior pastor/leader. I can't overemphasize this one. When you know a difficult conversation or confrontation is coming up, be sure to let him or her know ahead of time. If you are emailing someone and the tone seems harsh, forward it over to the pastor and let him know how you are handling it. It may seem like an unnecessary step, but this will result in a lot more trust from senior leadership and eliminate a plethora of misunderstandings.

7. Listen. Listen to the people you lead. And most importantly, listen to God.

Jonathan Sigmon is a writer at TaintedCanvas.com and is a young worship and youth pastor at a church he loves in Rochester, NY. He enjoys basketball, laughing and his wife, Sarah.