We would also be remiss to believe that such leadership tendencies only marked unbelievers or Christians in non-leadership roles. As I examine my own heart as a leader, I am beginning to understand that the pass between the two areas of character and idealism is not very wide, in fact, it is a continuum with only a very fine lead separating the two worlds. It is my purpose in every decision, be it public or private, to head for the mandate of character in that decision and away from the temptress of rampant idealism and self-elevation. Leaders who lead by character are real people, leading a real Church into Her real destiny. Leaders who lead by idealism become inauthentic people, leading a false paradigm of church toward a substandard destiny.
Character is definitely the issue for the Christian leader.
There are different definitions of character, but all center around similar attributes of the human heart. It is the image of God, in all its facets, stamped on the human soul that determines the level of our character. It is character that enables us to carry God's power and authority in these earthly vessels without it destroying us. It is character that points to a line about to be crossed when others would prefer not to notice one. I am convinced that the issues of character will become the greatest mark of true spiritual leadership in our generation's tumultuous days, as well as the arena of greatest attack on the Church of Jesus Christ in the coming years.