Growth in Faith and Leadership

Outcomes Magazine, the online publication of the Christian Leadership Alliance, recently published another article by APU Global president, Dr. John Reynolds. As part of his ongoing series about leadership, Dr. Reynolds reminds readers that growth, both personal and professional, is essential for every leader who desires to lead with excellence in an uncertain world. Here’s an excerpt:

Growing in your faith-journey is a necessary discipline for all Christian leaders. However, it is never easy to prioritize with the intensity, busyness and demand of the leadership role. Spiritual growth occurs through quality time with the Lord, enjoying time with our loved ones, fellowship with colleagues, and seeing God at work through meaningful life experiences. It is at the core of who we are as followers of Christ.

Growing our professional leadership, by contrast, is for many leaders more laissez-faire. After all, who has the time? Developing a personal strategy to integrate spiritual and professional leadership development is not always natural. It requires intentional focus and priority, with accountability. Growing is essential in developing both who we are, and our ability to care for those whom we lead. The Christian leader’s goal is to be a leader who honors God with excellence in leadership.

Read the full article in Outcomes Magazine and follow Dr. Reynolds on LinkedIn .

Faith and leadership grow together

Christian leadership is not a set of management techniques with a devotional attached. It is formation, the slow work of character, conviction, and competence developing at the same time. Leaders who grow in faith tend to make better decisions under pressure because their sense of purpose does not depend on the quarter's results.

What formation looks like in practice

• Regular reflection: naming what you learned from a hard decision, not just moving past it
• Mentors who can speak candidly about both your work and your character
• Service that keeps you close to the people your decisions affect
• Study that stretches your thinking, theological, ethical, and practical

Where study fits

A structured program gives that formation a rhythm. APU Global's organizational leadership programs pair leadership theory with the ethical and spiritual grounding that shapes how leaders actually behave when the stakes are high. Courses are online and built for working professionals, so what you study on Monday can shape how you lead on Tuesday.

Explore how faith is integrated across the curriculum, or review master's degree options if you are ready to take the next step.

Keep reading on related topics from APU Global: APU Global Participates in National Day of Prayer, Leadership Lessons Learned Along the Way.

Explore the B.A. in Organizational Leadership at APU Global to see