Maintaining Integrity as Leaders

(This message was originally published on May 14, 2015) Yesterday, I was listening to a news broadcast as I was driving and a public official was speaking. I was struck by how intensely and detailed he made the case for his integrity in a decision he was announcing. In many professions today there is a growing emphasis on integrity. For example, the county I live in is considering police body cameras; our students are facing exams and state tests; businesses are dealing with accountability to their shareholders.

Jeff Iorg, recent speaker at our SBC of Virginia Empowered Conference and president of Southern Baptist’s Golden Gate Seminary, writes about maintaining integrity.*

The word integrity is rooted in the word “integer” – which means whole, complete or undivided. As a Christian, I am to consistently apply biblical principles in character and action.

Dr. Iorg shares three spiritual convictions that help maintain integrity:

1) I am in submission to Jesus as Lord. (Philippians 2:5-11)

2) I am a steward accountable to Jesus as Lord. (Luke 16; 1 Cor. 4:1-2)

3) I am in an authority structure affirmed by Jesus as Lord. (Romans 13:1-7; Matthew 28:18)

He goes on to share Four Prayers that exemplify a submissive attitude before Jesus as Lord that can help us maintain integrity as leaders:

• “Lord, I am expendable, another day, or many decades, whatever pleases You.”

• “Lord, I serve at Your pleasure. Use me, or not, whatever pleases You.”

• “Lord, Your kingdom matters. Mine doesn’t. Advance Your cause, whatever that means for me.”

• “Lord, You are God, I am not – help me keep that straight today.”

*For more on this subject, read “Maintaining Integrity” in The Character of Leadership by Jeff Iorg.

May we serve the Lord Jesus with abandon today! As always, the SBC of Virginia team is thankful for your ministry and praying for the gospel to be advanced through your ministry.

Your brother in Christ,

Brian Autry