Nothing so conclusively proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself. Thomas A. Watson --David A. Brady, Ch, Capt, USAF

I personally believe that the issues of character, integrity, and accountability are still around in smaller percentages these days in every age group. More and more we will become aware of fine leadership emerging around us in spite of denial, compromise, and political correctness. God will always have a remnant of Godly leaders in each age group who have not sold out or bowed their knees to the feel-good, accommodating philosophy of the day. Our President just recently said that there is no fancy way to say, "I have sinned."

I`m sure that if there was, most of the user friendly, seeker types, keep them coming at all cost types, and what ever it takes types would have incorporated it into the fabric of the philosophy of ministry. Fortunately from time to time even Boomers experience a spiritual awakening. I believe this time is close at hand and may be hastened by the moral dilemma we face as a nation. What a great time for all of us to fall on our faces before God and repent. I`ve heard on good authority and have found personally that,... that posture....works ! Glad you`re back Keith !

Hey . . . that's a good one. Somebody changed the rules . . . good parallel too.

How do we re-introduce the character issue? I don't think we do. Like so many other things, character will be largely symbolic in national politics. Candidates will try to *look* moral. They will not try to *be* moral. But hey . . neither do we ;-) ----LW

Welcome back! I love your thought provoking column. Thanks for serving the body of Christ with this particular ministry as well as the many other ministries you give. I hope you a good summer and that it proved to be a time of renewal and refreshment for you and Sharon.

I have appreciated the thoughts shared in the book, "Built To Last" by Jim Collins where he discusses the "tyranny of the or" versus the "genius of the and". I would suggest it is possible to have moral integrity and competence. However, if we discover a moral issue we must have that take precedence over the competence. On the other side of the coin, just because someone is particularly strong morally, does not, in and of itself, make them a good pastor or president. It is my view that we must first demand moral excellence and then evaluate competency for whatever role we are looking at whether it be pastor, president, or Sunday school teacher.

We have no way of seeing inside a person's heart. Only God has that luxury. However, we can evaluate human indicators of what me expect a Godly or morally strong person to look like. We have chosen at our church to ask questions about this area of a person's life when we are in the interview process. We would ask the individual as well as his/her references questions like, "How would you describe your devotional life?" "When is the last time you shared the plan of salvation with anyone?" "Have you participated in the use of any pornographic or questionable materials?" We would ask references for information about the person's moral reputation and trustworthiness etc. It is a very hard area to accurately measure. However, we ask all the questions we know to ask and then ask God for a spirit of discernment. More than once we have benefited from "Intuitive, gut feelings, from a staff spouse in making a decision that we later understand the rationale for.

It is my view that we must first value spiritual and moral strength. However, we must also highly value competency.--------- In Jesus' Love, Jack Lynn

"What will change to upgrade the character issue?" How 'bout the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT? Is this an "upgrade" or "downsizing"? How 'bout if we cut out all of the other stuff that doesn't matter and get up (or back) to God's Word! Read 'em! Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control! "The Message" lists 'em like this:

-- David Sheets

So true...and the devil has had thousands of years to perfect his plans...He has always used these methods.

One of the wonderful aspects is that...though sin abounds...grace does much more abound. I am confident that the Holy Spirit is going to be poured out more in the last days...(baby boomers' days) and we will be victors in the end. God help America! ----- The Clarks Gene and Doyne

Don't use my name with this (or I could lose my job for being so politically incorrect) but you failed to observe that these three qualities boomers want, is leaders are essentially what boomer-women want, not boomer men. Check the polls. It is the feminization of leadership qualities. The crazy thing is that now this warm-fuzzy leadership style has snuck around on the women and bit them in the rear (so to speak). Guys never did want this style... they just get outvoted. -- name withheld

Character does count - especially in the pastoral role. I may not have a large church but my marriage is intact and growing. I may not be on the radio - but I love Jesus more than I did in 1977. I may not be on TV but my integrity is still "whole".

We must again go to the BEATTITUDES, To the LEADERSHIP QUALITIES in Timothy & Titus, To BEING Christian not just saying 'Christian' - we must live the SERVANT STYLE life, The Philippians 2:9-11 life. We must again ask what DOES GOD WANT not what do boomers, or busters want.... Jay Davis

I don't think the answer is asking the right questions at the beginning. I think the way we change this is by changing what we honor. The person who gets official and unofficial recognition becomes the "poster child" for our values. If we give recognition to the person with "booming" results, but questionable character, we are saying that results are more important than character. Here's another thought. If humility is one of the character qualities we value, then what method should we use to recognize these individuals without pandering to pride? ---- Rod Pickett

Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 16:45:50 EDT Welcome back. It seems to me that boomers will need to be convinced character is a practical matter not just a nice option. Personality, skill, and performance all flow out of our constant desire to find "what works." Perhaps if the President and a few more pastors are "impeached" we'll begin to see character as a useful trait in leadership. Until then our country and our churches will keep on looking for the best performers and not the best men and women.

BTW, here are a few questions I'd love to be asked by a church board at interview time. (They'd be challenging to deal with but refreshing as well.)

We want our pastor to lead us in prayer -- both by example and by teaching. How much time do you spend in prayer each day?

What part of the Bible are you reading in your devotions these days? What is God teaching you from this reading?

What's your favorite TV program? Why?

When was the last time you felt especially close to God? Or felt His Presence was so real you could reach out and touch Him?

Describe your relationship with your spouse and children.

Are you bearing any grudges toward individuals in a previous church? When do you expect to deal with this bitterness? Or how have you kept form becoming bitter?

If we provided you with the time and resources for a Day Alone With God, where would you go? What would you do? Why?

How can we help you and your family develop intimate relationships with each other?

Enough for now, Mark Haines

re. your recent letter, have you seen "Who are Bill and Hill? in Insight, September 14 1998? It calls into question generalizations about "boomers." ---Tom Moore Associate Professor of Sociology Asbury College

My initial thought on this question begins with self-examination. Is my own character what it ought to be? Am I living up to the standard that I claim to expect of my leaders? If not, I need to repent and ask forgiveness not so much of those in my care, but of God. When I have been assured of His forgiveness, then I'll be able to forgive myself. Having reached that point, I can confidently (Hebrews 10:22) ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in asking questions and making decisions regarding persons I would choose to lead or serve, in whatever capacity is being considered. I then need to follow the leading I sense, and trust. This approach can and should be used by the church, not only when choosing a pastor, but lay leaders, staff, or whatever position is being considered.

It should also be followed by our nation. I heard some radio preacher somewhere say that God let us have the leader we asked for, knowing that his example would show us the depths of our own depravity. Looking around, I wonder. I also pray.

Your youth baby boomers article was an excellent analysis. Have you read The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper? (That is who Sam Crabtree is now on staff with.) It is a book on preaching but it's really a book on the character of the preacher--one of the best & most helpful books I have ever read. --- Ron

Your astute character-related observations are mirrored in our adoration of Princess Di. When she and Mother Theresa died at the same time, the media (and our culture in general) declared Di the world's beloved saint. While past polls showed that people identified Mother Theresa as the world's shining role model of integrity, respect, and ultimate goodness... she was no contest when it came to getting our culture's attention, love and adoration. WHY? Because Princess Di (like President Clinton) makes people feel good about themselves. We unfortunately have chosen to glorify leaders who make us feel OK about who we are, rather than examples who challenge us to live to a higher standard.

Obviously we do not know each other and therefore want to say that I do respect what you have written. I wonder if character is the number one priority. What is more important, a person's character or their ability to speak Godly wisdom. In I Corinthians Paul talks about when he approached the Corinthians tired, weak and trembling and that all he new was Christ and him crucified. By his own admission, he was not wise but gave all the credit to the spirits wisdom for the words he spoke.

I am sure David was looked upon as a person of high character and then he goes and sleeps with another man's wife and then goes on to commit murder. Samson may have been looked upon as being of high character until he lied to his wife 3 (maybe 4) times about the source of his strength. Judas may have even been of high character until his greed turned him in.

I have seen men lead churches to growth not only numerically but also spiritually. Then these men like all of us succumb to some temptation and fall. I do not believe that their sin discounts their teaching. Should they be punished and face the consequence of their sin, of course. What defines good character from bad character? To lie in front of the Grand Jury is bad, is it equally bad to lie to your boss or neighbor? I don't know a lot about Bill McCarntny's ?(the Promise Keepers founder) but as I understand it he committed adultery. Does that mean that he is of bad character and shouldn't be leading PK.

All that I am saying is that I may be inclined to choose a pastor based more on their ability to share spiritual wisdom (Christ and him crucified) and less on character. I do not mean to belittle the issue of character, it is very important, and I wish I knew the answers, but I would hope that people would be able to live what they teach and that spiritual wisdom would lead to quality character. ---Dan Small Phoenix, AZ