LAKE FOREST, Calif. – Less than a day after hosting a forum that brought together the presumed Republican and Democratic presidential nominees, megachurch pastor Rick Warren delivered a sermon at his church in Southern California, sharing with his congregation what he feels are the first three characteristics to look for in leaders.
While Warren acknowledged the fact that there are a lot of characteristics that are important to look for in a leader, he said none are more important than these three – integrity, humility, and generosity.
“A nation is never stronger than its leadership,” the prominent megachurch pastor stated Sunday in his sermon at Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, citing a number of verses from Proverbs throughout the service.
While Warren did make mention of the events from the day prior – when thousands gathered at Saddleback Church to hear Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain answer identical questions for an hour each – he said the sermon was not just about the presidency.
“In November, we’re going to vote for leaders at every single level of government – from the local community, the state, county, and on and on,” Warren pointed out.
Furthermore, “everybody has to lead at some time in life,” he added.
“If you want to summarize it in one word, leadership is influence,” he continued. “You have influence over neighbors, friends, relatives, at the office, at school, so you’re a leader.”
So what is the kind of leadership that America needs? What is the kind of leadership that God blesses?
First, Warren said, God blesses leaders who live with integrity.
“Most important thing a leader has is his or her credibility,” the Southern Baptist preacher stated. “If you have no credibility, you have no trust; if you have no trust, you have no leadership.
“All leadership is built on trust,” Warren asserted. “If people trust you, they follow you. If they don’t trust you, you may have the title, but you’re not the leader.”
And the source of credibility, Warren said, is integrity.
While leaders in the past, such as Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, were known for integrity, many leaders today are more interested in image than they are in integrity, Warren stated.
“Image,” he explained, “is what people think you are; character is what you really are. Character is what you are in the dark.”
To those who would say what a leader does in their private life does not really matter, Warren insisted that it does matter if they want God’s blessing.
“The truth is, what you do in your private life always affects your public life,” he said. “In fact, that’s the definition of integrity – that your public and private are the same.
“Any time you segment your life into public and private, you lack integrity,” Warren claimed, noting that the word “integrity” comes from the word “integer,” which means a unit of one.
And having integrity doesn’t mean perfection, because nobody’s perfect except Jesus, he said.
“What it means is ‘What you see is what you get.’”
More than visionaries and more than smart leaders, Warren said what America needs are leaders with character. Continue >>
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What America needs:
Repentance and Jesus Christ!
Selfishness is rooted in pride! Pride involves the exaltation of self over God and others
I think igh is right. Perhaps it is more accurate to state that all sin boils down to selfishness.
Igh, you stated "cowardice and slothfulness or dead faith" are not rooted in pride. Remember, "pride" includes putting yourself before God and others. Cowardice is a great example of that because your goal is to protect self and not stand for or do what is right. Slothfulness reflects this as well because, again, you are not doing what you should do because you don't want to, so it's about you (pride). Dead faith is a willful refusal to believe God and/or live for God so you can do what you want, again putting self first.
Smbga, if you can tell me how to get rid of pride I would appreciate it, but as long as we are in this sinful flesh ALL will struggle with it in some way shape or form
This is much of what was said to elect a certain group. Same old stuff. I think that Christians are much smarter than that today! And I hope that no one would vote for a party based on what some groups of Christians Preachers who do not represent the whole church say. This site appears to promote a certain group. I am a Church Leader and have never voted for the current leaders. If these church leaders were really hearing from God, I question why is this country in such a mess?
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
No one President will be a perfect leader as we have seen for the last eight years. We have put leaders in the office based solely on abortion and homosexuality themes.
Which we all agree that God is not pleased with. But that is not a politicianâ
cowardice and slothfulness or dead faith isnt pride as far as i can see. Scripture says when you know to do good and dont thats a sin.
all in the government are corrupt.
revtommoran: Job 41 is the description of pride. pride is a killer. get rid of pride and you won't have a sin problem.
Bush is a liar, murderer, greedy, & hypocrite! yet he profess to be a 'christian'. his character has destroyed this nation.
beware of wolves in sheep clothing,.....
revtommoran
I agree. So far from what I can see, all sin boils down to pride.
I have contemplated the "pride and "sin" issue based on the theological conclusion of some that "all sin is rooted in pride". I have yet to find a sin that is NOT rooted pride. If anyone knows of any sins that are not rooted in pride, please post them.
I must admit that I have heard alot of Negative things about Rick Warren, but after his conducting of the debate and hearing him for myself I am being to question some of those negative things. He does not sound like he is compromising.
However, I will say this that just as King Hezikiah discovered later in his life, it matters to God who we join forces with. King Hezikiah was a godly King who made back door deals with wicked King AHAB and other nation that were against the Lord God. Rick Warren and we all must guard against joining forces with corrupting associations as we seek to minister others. The best way to guard against it is by Loving the Lord with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our strength and by loving our neighbor as our self.
http://www.evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
Not 100% sure about pride being the worst sin, but it is the first sin, and also the first of several things the Lord hates, as recorded in Proverbs 6:
16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
"Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction"
Jesus speaks of humility quite a bit. Humble seems to be the main theme in quite a bit of what He had to say. Humility say I will do what God wants. Pride says I will do what I want (and even maybe seek God's counsel but I will still make my own choices).
There is plenty of Scripture to back this up. This is what Rick was getting at. Lack of humility before God ends in sin. It is a cause sin vs. an effect sin.