The 4 D’s of Leadership
Years ago I did a study of Joseph. On his way to God’s ultimate plan, Joseph (as well as many other leaders) experienced four specific phases on the road to his destiny.
This week we’ll talk about the four phases (or D’s) most leaders experience.
The first phase is the dream.
Long before he had any credibility with others, God gave Joseph a dream.
It is noteworthy that those closest to him didn’t like or understand his dream. In fact, Joseph’s dream of future leadership incensed his brothers.
How do you uncover your dream, burden, or passion? It helps to wrestle with these statements and fill in the blanks.
I’ve always wanted to _________________________________.
I believe I was created to _______________________________.
My deepest passion is _________________________________.
I’ve never told anyone _________________________________.
I’ll regret this if I don’t try ______________________________.
Maybe God has planted a dream in your heart to start a different kind of church, or to fund water wells for those without clean drinking water, or to disciple 12 underprivileged kids, or to write intimate worship songs, or to create Christian movies for children, or to find a cure for AIDS, or something else.
When God gives you a dream, don’t be devastated if everyone around you doesn’t understand.
The Living Bible translates Eph. 3:20 like this, “God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of –infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”
If God gives you a dream, remember, He is able to bring it about.
What are you dreaming about?
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4 years ago… I had no idea what my passion was or my gift. I had put to rest the whole music career thing (moved to Nahville) and I was home with my children and happy but something was still missing. I only knew I wanted to find this secret passion…but God made me wait and he unfolded to me little by little…photography. I did not go to school for this and I learned this art form one step at a time (A TRUE GIFT). Now I can bless others who may not ever be able to afford picts. I also love to capture Gods creation and share amazing moments….This truly came from God and I am just the vehicle….so amazing and so much fun!
Something that has helped me tremendously is making an effort to discern between a dream and a vision from God. To paraphrase Andy Stanley from his book “Visioneering”, a dream is an idea of what could be. All of us have those and if we pursue them, they do not always work out. However, a vision is not only a picture of what COULD be, but a conviction from God that it MUST be. In other words, to not pursue it would be tantamount to disobedience. This was critical when I had a dream to plant a church. At first it was an exciting idea. Then, as time went on, I felt I HAD to do it; it was my only option. Thankfully, I can say that dreams (and visions) can come true. Right now, I am living my dream. Thanks so much for this post Craig!
I’ve been in this phase for a few years. I’m still young, but noticing the time slip faster than I want. Waiting for God’s timing, God’s opportunity, His open door to act on the dream He’s given me. It’s hard to wait.
I dream about churches reaching the hundreds of thousands of lost people in and around Baltimore, MD. I dream of the new churches that are starting and will start to help that cause as well as the potential for hundreds of existing churches to revolutionize the way they do church in order to reach people who aren’t a part of any church.
Ultimately I dream of churches working together to make that happen.
ways my wife and i can be champions for the girls/women around the world who are oppressed.
I had a HUGE a-ha this week from hearing Jim Wideman at Orange in ATL. Reconciling my really big dreams with serving another leader seems almost impossible sometimes. But I know deep inside that (for me anyway)to be obedient to God’s call on my life, I must serve faithfully within the vision of another leader. Thank you Craig for having a big enough vision for us dreamers to still be able to thrive inside of it.
deep stuff. I am wrestling to find my dream. I kinda know but don’t know at all. For now I will focus on what I have now
A little over 10 years ago I told my best friends I really believed I could give leadership to a church, but I could not imagine having to preach every week. My best friends told me I was nuts! I am about to celebrate one year at Grace Community Church as the Lead Pastor who does not preach every week. I am using my leadership gifts to cast vision, create sustainable systems and building winning teams. I also spend a great deal of time with people completely enjoying life. I have not been this alive in the spirit in over 20+ years of church work. Thank you Craig, and Lifechurch.tv for allowing my dream to happen. My friends still think I’m nuts, but they can’t see what I see.
Great post, looking forward to hearing the other D’s.
I dreamed of being a recording artist, successful and award winning artist. I was signed, was there, so close but God had other plans..that’s what’s hard, I still use my gifts and LOVE using them but am still a bit unclear where the “rest” of my dream fits in the picture, trusting God with that though.
For those who may not know Grace Community Church is part of the LifeChurch.tv Network. If you would like to share the benefits that Jerris Duncan enjoys, checkout http://network.lifechurch.tv/.
Craig: thanks. I look forward to sitting down in a quiet spot and taking the time to answer these. We are in a transition time in our fellowship (youth/worship pastor resigned) and much has fallen on me until I can people in place. At the same time I know it is imperative to stay focused.
[...] because the issue has been stirred in my mind by a blog post I’ve seen this evening, ‘The 4 Ds Of Leadership‘. It touches on the dreams God gave Joseph in Genesis and reminds us that God can bring about [...]
I want our church to meet needs in the community to such an extent that if for some reason we ceased to exist that the community would miss us greatly. I want our church to be known more for what we do to help others (showing them God cares for them) rather than for what we do on Sunday mornings.
We have taken some little steps and it’s amazing what God has done with our steps of faith. Just this past week the city asked us to help with a city wide clean up (God gave us great favor in their eyes), a local public school asked us to help them out(I meet with the principal this week) and last Friday I found out that we will be the recipient of several hundred pounds of non-perishable food each week that we can give away to the needy in our city. This all happened because of prayer and stepping out by faith. Because we dreamed and prayed about serving our community. I can’t wait to see what God has for us in the days and weeks ahead.
Right now: For OU to have a revival and become known as a Christ centered college. And broader (I’m sure all of this dream this which is awesome!): For the world to have a revival!
Proverbs 16:3
In Christ!
Just like a child writes dream-lists for Christmas, let’s write dream-lists for the kingdom of God.
I dream “————” could happen, for Your glory God!
And remember Proverbs 16:3
[...] May 5, 2009 5 Posts That Have Challenged Me Posted by jonathanday under Uncategorized No Comments 5. Craig Groeschel –> 4 D’s of leadership [...]
it’s good to note that our people have dreams too and aligning them with our dreams often is the most destructive thing we can do to their faith.
dreaming with people is wonderful, dreaming for people is deadly.
[...] The Four D’s of Leadership Craig Groeschel, Swerve [...]
“When God gives you a dream, don’t be devastated if everyone around you doesn’t understand.” Good stuff here sir!
I to have a dream! I am working on a movie to be made in the Lowcountry! It will teach lessons to many and show many emotions to all who can relate-which many can. It is a story from rags to riches and lots of love from a community that triumphs through tough times and makes major changes for the government, healthcare, and a lot of people who need change! Everytime I think the story line is done, more additions come along. However, I think I am close to the end. NOW, I just need copywrites, producers to help me, photographers, (I have the musicians and music that goes with it all put together to tell the story). I just need more prayer from all and to speak to and convey the story to the right people at the right time so that notbody steals my ideas and rips me off. The riches from it is all going to good use. Please pray or send good, righteous, honest people to me. I have major trust issues with this. So I hope and pray that someday soon we can all be grateful and trust G_d on this. I know making all this happen(movie) is my purpose and it will help many! Please pray I get the right people in on it and that it WILL happen.
Thank YOU!