Leadership
2012: The Year of a Leadership Tsunami?
Chinese New Year is known for the animal that symbolizes the prospects for the coming year. 2011 was “The Year of the Rabbit.” Is that why it went so fast, or am I just showing my age? On a serious note, was this one of the reasons for rapid-fire changes in leadership in the Arab world which continue to this day (Syria is now on the brink).
It seems like Muslim dictators are scampering like rabbits.
The Chinese say that 2012 will be “The Year of the Dragon.” Of course, that’s their national symbol, so maybe China will continue to rise. One thing we know: There will be a leadership tsunami taking place around the planet in 2012–dragon, rabbit, or otherwise.
Here’s why and how you can pray.
I probably don’t need to remind you that we live in a era of dizzying changes. Here’s how I state it in the first chapter of my book The Fourth Wave: Taking Your Place in the New Era of Missions:
“We live in an era of amazing change, including:
- Urbanization – people moving to cities,
- Globalization – our economies and cultures becoming linked together,
- Exploding population growth – heading for double digit billions,
- Technological wizardry – got the latest “app” yet?
- Clashes of cultures, numerous wars, and
- The greatest hopes, dreams, concerns and fears of all time.”
Add to that list changing leadership in the nations of the world.
That’s what’s coming in 2012. It’s time to get ready, and certainly time to pray.
Let’s begin with the “Arab Spring” which could become a “summer” of democracy and positive change from Iraq to Morocco. On the other hand, rising Islamicism in Libya, Eqypt and now possibly Syria could also plunge the Middle East and northern Africa into a “winter” of quasi-religious dictatorships.
Other nations, such as Saudi Arabia, could also experience revolutions that would dynamically change the world economy currently based on Mid-East oil. Fortunately, political strategists such as Dick Morris believe these leadership changes could prompt energy independence in the United States and other nations–but only if we elect leaders who will tap into the supply.
Let’s pray for a blazing summer of freedom to sweep across the Muslim world. It will take many courageous leaders to blow such a trumpet.
Then there is China. I’ve been to the most populated nation on earth twice this past year. Vast changes are happening all over the country that are social, religious and economic. In 2012 there will also be a major leadership change in the world’s largest communist enclave. It won’t happen by ballot box–but power will be passed.
By the end of the year, through the secret maneuvering of the Communist leadership, both President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao–will be replaced. A British magazine, The Enonomist, describes it this way:
“The leadership changes will be the focus of the party’s 18th congress, a five-yearly event that is likely to take place in October. It will select a new central committee, that will in turn will convene and “elect” a new Politburo of about 25 members.”
“For the first time in twenty years, President Hu Kintao and the Prime Minister, Wen Jibao, will not be among them. Other top posts will be changed. New heads are likely to be appointed of the central bank and finance and commerce ministries. Provincial leaders are already being shuffled.”
“It is all but certain that Vice-president Xi Jinping Will take over from Mr. Hu… Mr. Wen will be replaced by his deputy, Li Keqiang…Some seventy percent of Chinese leadership wil change and China will experience its most clear-cut transfer of power since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976.”
We need to pray for Xi Linping and Li Keqiang. They could be the “Gorbachev and Yeltsin of Chinese history” or something very different.
Then there is Russia. “Elections” have already begun in that nation and Vladimir Putin is about to receive back his title as president. You remember he stepped aside six years ago due to constitutional constraints and made a deal with out-going president Dmitry Medvedev.
But the Russian people sense that the “elections” are rigged and there have been some problematic demonstrations this week. Putin will probably re-ascend to power, but two more six year terms are no longer a done deal.
At any rate, there will be an old/new leader in Russia next year.
Pray for Vladimir Putin and revival of freedom in Mother Russia.
Next is France. According to The Economist, “Nicholas Sarkozy, the president of France, is probably the one most in danger of losing his job. Long before the election (the second round will take place on May 6), Mr. Sarkozy was trailing all possible challengers from the Socialist Party in the opinion polls.”
France is a key player in the current European debt-crisis meltdown. Along with Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, Mr. Sarkozy has played a key role in holding together the European monetary Union.
What will a new socialist leader bring to Europe’s future?
Let’s pray for God’s choice for France–and for all of Europe.
Finally, we know that the United States will also choose a new president on November 6, 2012. Many believe this election is the most important one of our lifetimes: a win by Barack Obama could cement America’s decline and drift into European socialism or a victory by the Republican candidate could lead to a shrinking of the Federal Government and re-birth of freedom.
China, Russia, France, and the United States. Do you recognize something about this list?
These nations are four of the five members of the United Nations Security Council–a critical block in world politics. The only missing nation is Germany with Angela Merkel–and she’s busy holding the European Union together.
Four of the five key nations in our world could see a change of leadership in 2012. Add to that the substantial changes taking place in Muslim nations and the rise of many developing countries such as Brazil, India, Nigeria and South Korea.
It appears that a political leadership tsunami (change) could be just around the corner.
Interestingly, this is also an insecure time in spiritual leadership in the U.S. The respected Barna Group reported on November 21:
“No single Christian leader captures the attention of the nation’s population. When asked to identify the single most influential Christian leader in the U.S. today, two out of every five Americans (41%) are unable to think of anyone who would meet that description.”
“Billy Graham is the name mentioned most often in response to the unaided survey question (a measure often described as “top-of-mind” awareness). One out of five Americans names the nonagenarian evangelist, with 19% of adult residents identifying Mr. Graham as the nation’s most influential Christian leader.”
“Half as many adults (9%) believe “the Pope” or Pope Benedict to be the most significant Christian leader in the nation. Nearly the same proportion (8%) considers President Barack Obama to hold this prominent role.”
“One out of 20 U.S. adults (5%) think that Joel Osteen is the most significant Christian leader, more than double the proportion that name Charles Stanley (2%) or Joyce Meyer (2%). A variety of individuals – including pastors, ministry leaders, authors, politicians, and other public figures – are considered the highest ranking Christian leaders by 1% of U.S. adults each. These include: Franklin Graham, George W. Bush, T.D. Jakes, Oprah Winfrey, James Dobson, and Maya Angelou. All other individuals are named by less than 1% of Americans.”
So there’s a spiritual leadership vacuum in the United States as well. Forty percent can’t name a significant spiritual leader. Billy Graham tops the list, but he is currently 93 years old and past his time of influence. At the least, a spiritual leadership transition is occurring in the United States that also demands some answers in 2012 and beyond.
If there was ever a need for courageous spiritual and political leaders, 2012 is the year. Much is going to change. New leaders are going to rise.
Let’s pray fervently for authorities of God’s choosing during the coming crucial twelve months (Romans 13:1-7). We are commanded by God to pray for our leaders in 1 Timothy 2:1.
Let’s also keep our eyes “up” toward the Ultimate Leader whose return will signal the end to the current leadership vacuum on earth–the Lord Jesus Christ. Next week we celebrate his first visit to Planet Earth when he came as a baby to die for our sins.
On his second visit, he will be coming as a King–the Rightful Sovereign of all the Earth. Here’s the Heavenly announcement:
“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and goes to war. His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him, and only he knew what it meant. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood and his title was the Word of God…From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. On his robe and thigh was wirtten this title: King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-16).”
A leadership tsunami may be coming in 2012. Let’s pray for God’s “will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
But let’s also point our prayers toward the coming Prince of Peace.
He is our true and lasting hope.
The Worst Congress in History–Should We Look in the Mirror?
I think we just lived through the worst United States Congress in history. Since the American Republic has been around for 234 years now, that is saying something.
Of course, I wasn’t there to observe 177 of those years, but I’ve kept a pretty close view on the past thirty or forty–and nothing compares to the deception, ineptness, radical nature, and horrific policies of the 111th United States Congress.
The 80th Congress (1948) was called the “Do-Nothing Congress.” The 109th Congress (2006) has been labeled the “Vacation Congress” because they only met for 100 days. Various congresses in the 18th and 19th centuries were either extremely raucous or bitterly divided (such as over slavery).
But nothing trumps the just completed 111th Congress.
They should be named the “Destroy Everything” Congress.
I believe we need to open our eyes–and also look in the mirror.
We elected these people.
What does that say about us?
It wasn’t that long ago that you didn’t hear much about the US Senate and House of Representatives in the daily news. They weren’t much of a factor or presence. Yes, every twenty to thirty years they made a controversial decision or passed a bad bill. But that was the exception, not a daily occurrence.
Of course, 24/7 cable news and the Internet have greatly increased the spotlight on national governance. But technology does not determine the character of those who lead.
During my lifetime, most senators and congressmen were decent people regardless of party. I generally vote Republican because of the GOP’s general commitment to Judeo-Christian principles which bring liberty. But I’ve liked and supported many Democrats as well including Senators Scoop Jackson and Henry Magnuson, and President John F. Kennedy. Sam Rayburn was a heck of a House Speaker and Tip O’Neill was a decent guy who shared a congenial, after-hours relationship with President Reagan.
So the issue is not partisan. It relates to the people in office.
The elected representatives of the 111th Congress were the worst national legislators we’ve ever had. Don’t believe the spin of the past couple of week. It’s just a desperate attempt to resurrect the discredited progressive agenda. The majority of Americans aren’t buying it.
Take a look at the most recent Gallup Poll on the 111th Congress. The graph is quite enlightening:
“PRINCETON, NJ — Americans’ assessment of Congress has hit a new low, with 13% saying they approve of the way Congress is handling its job. The 83% disapproval rating is also the worst Gallup has measured in more than 30 years of tracking congressional job performance.”
“The prior low approval rating for Congress was 14% in July 2008 when the United States was dealing with record-high gas prices and the economy was in recession.”
“For the year, Congress averaged 19% approval among all Americans, tied with the averages for 1979 and 2008, and one percentage point above the 18% average for 1992. Those years were all marked by difficult economic times for the United States.”
Gallup asked another question in a July 22, 2010 poll. It had to do with which institutions give people the greatest confidence. The poll found Congress ranking dead last out of the 16 institutions rated this year. Eleven percent of Americans said they have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in Congress, down from 17% in 2009 and a percentage point lower than the previous low for Congress, recorded in 2008.
So according to Gallup, the 111th Congress approval rating is 13% and confidence rating is 11%.
That’s pretty bad.
Why?
Let’s first look at the people and then at the policies they’ve enacted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE 111TH CONGRESS (just to name a few)
Nancy Pelosi – She will probably go down in history as the worst Speaker of all-time. From ultra-liberal San Francisco, she ruled as if everybody in America wanted to move to her progressive haven. A blank slate on America’s heritage and principles, she drove her own Congress into the electoral ditch with the greatest turnover of seats in sixty years. Her most famous quote (among many) referring to Obamacare: “We need to pass the bill so that we can find out what is in it.”
Harry Reid – The Senate majority leader from Nevada. He strong-armed Obamacare through the Senate by altering the rules and making back-room deals against the express will of the American people (Louisianna Purchase, Cornhusker kick-back etc.). Reid’s Senate didn’t pass one budget item during the past year while giving full vent to vast liberal wish lists of spending. His most famous gaffe among many: “The War is lost!” (When our fighting men and women were in harm’s way and the surge in Iraq was working.)
Barney Frank – His lack of regulation over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (which continues to this day) was one of the major factors in the collapse of the real estate market and the financial difficulties we’ve experienced since 2008. Frank is a foul-mouthed, militant homosexual whose “partner” once ran a gay prostitution ring out of his D.C. apartment.
Responding recently to President Jimmy Carter’s assertion that America is ready for a homosexual president, Franks bellowed: “It’s one thing to have a gay person in the abstract. It’s another to see that person as part of a living, breathing couple. How would a gay presidential candidate have a celebratory kiss with his partner after winning the New Hampshire primary? The sight of two women kissing has not been as distressful to people as the sight of two men kissing. And because of the Defense of Marriage Act, it’s not clear that a gay president could use federal funds to buy his husband dinner. Would his partner have to pay rent in the White House? There would be no Secret Service protection for the paramour.”
Yuck.
And this man was one of the powerful men in Washington, D.C. during the 111th Congress?
The list could go on and on–but I think you get the point.
POLICIES OF THE 111TH CONGRESS
First, they wastefully threw an 800 billion dollar stimulus program at the nation that did nothing to create jobs. The unemployment rate continued to climb because government spending does not stimulate capital creation and entrepreneurship. This was the biggest pork barrel bill in the history of the nation. Much of it went to prop up liberal causes, state governments, and unions. It was an utter waste of nearly one trillion dollars.
Then they spent an entire year going against the will of the American people and finally jamming through Obamacare last Christmas–the first step toward socialized medicine in the United States. This nearly three thousand page monstrosity is probably the worst single piece of legislation ever enacted on American soil. As a result, doctors are vowing to retire; Companies are raising rates; Over 250 groups have been exempted from the program because they’re favorites of the Administration; And this is a giant take-over of one-sixth of the American economy.
Because of the radicalness of this and other income re-distribution programs, the Tea Party Movement was born and swept many state houses, legislatures, and Congressional members out of DC in the November 2 elections.
After the election, the chastened 111th Congress should have humbly returned to their D.C. offices, voted to keep the tax rates in place, funded the government, and gone home. They had been soundly defeated and told they were taking the nation in a wrong direction.
But in a brazen, in-your-face manner, they did just the opposite. First they pushed to raise taxes on the wealth creators in America, lost, and finally capitulated. Then they pandered to their homosexual base and sent shock waves through the US armed forces by callously rescinding the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy–again against the wishes of the people and especially those on the front lines.
They also tried to slip in a controversial immigration bill, and pushed for a major nuclear arms treaty with Russia that is hurtful to the United States. They have no business even treading in these waters.
But this Congress doesn’t care. They have an agenda–and they stuck it to the American people.
Rush Limbaugh described the 111th Congress this way in his radio commentary on December 16, 2010:”The damage being done by this Congress is disastrous. They are hi-jacking our country right before our eyes. We are in the middle of being raped and they know it. We said “No” in November but they are still destroying and hijacking our country right in front of our eyes. They don’t care about the country.”
That’s why I call them the “Destroy Everything” Congress.
Fortunately, in a few days, they will be gone and the 112th will take their place.
But their destructive rampage should lead us to some necessary introspection.
Many of these people, including Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Barney Frank were re-elected in 2010. They will be diminished, but are still in office.
What does that say about us–that we could elect people such as this to guide the affairs of our nation?
In olden times, God used prophets to explain to people why they were given good kings–when they followed God and lived right–and why they were sent bad kings as judgment for their sins.
We don’t have unelected kings in our day. We don’t need an explanation. We live in democratic times where our leaders are a reflection of us.
We the people–elected the 111th Congress. They were the worst in history.
But that consequently means that we, too, just might be the worst generation in American history who elected the worst leaders.
We need to change, live good lives, and elect good leaders.
Start with yourself. Look in the mirror.
Humble yourself. Ask God to forgive you, and live a changed life.
If enough Americans do it, we just might turn our worst time into one of our best .
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will from heaven , forgive their sins and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Refusing to Listen is Failing to Serve
When Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992, he campaigned as a center-left politician who eventually got in trouble for pushing nationalized health care (Hillarycare) and taking the nation in a liberal direction. He was rebuked by the avalanche of the 1994 elections (remember the “Contract With America“) when the Republicans swept both the House and Senate.
A course correction was needed to serve the people and the American vision.
President Clinton needed to listen.
That’s the essence of both servant and democratic leadership–the will of the people should prevail. The American vision is people rule (self-government) under God.
I wrote a book on servant leadership in 1989 called Leadership for the 21st Century: Changing Nations Through the Power of Serving. The book centers on ten attitudes and ten actions of a servant leader that are exemplified in the life of Jesus. Servant leaders always put the needs and desires of others above their own.
If you’ve never read Leadership for the 21st Century, I’d be glad to send you a personalized copy. Besides the ten character qualities, the book is worth the “prophecy” contained in the first chapter that amazingly became true over the past twenty years. The other is the Appendix where I shared William McDonald’s twenty-five qualities of leadership that made Jesus the greatest servant leader of men.
Drop me a note with any donation (YWAM, P.O. Box 1634, Port Orchard, WA USA 98367) and I’ll send you a copy.
It would make a great Christmas read.
Then there’s the aspect of democratic leadership. In republican democracies, representatives of the people are elected for two primary reasons: 1) To protect the God-given rights of the people, and 2) To legislate their concerns into law.
Servants care about people’s desires and real democrats do too. Democratic governments are uniquely designed to benefit the people.
Now back to President Clinton.
After a shellacking in the 1992 elections, to his credit, President Clinton recognized democratic realities (and also good politics), admitted that the nation had spoken, and that he needed to change. Over a number of months he pivoted to the political center for the good of the nation.
Before his pivot he had become “The Incredible Shrinking President” (remember that cover story of TIME magazine in 1992?). After he humbled himself and changed course, he became a relatively successful president. What followed was a season of bi-partisanship in politics, social stability, and economic growth led by a Republican-controlled Congress and a begrudging but cooperative presidency.
Bill Clinton was willing to change course when shown he was wrong. As a result, he ended up getting major credit for the first balanced budget in years, and despite the Monica Lewinsky sexual scandal, ended his term in high popularity with the American people.
He listened. Both he and the nation were blessed.
Now fast-forward to 2008.
A nation tired of war and worried about economic uncertainties again voted for a supposed center-left politician–Barack Obama. He was well-spoken and charismatic–although grossly under qualified for the highest office in the nation. He had never run a business or met a payroll. Most of the life had been spent on the public dole or in community organizing activities. He was a state senator for seven short years and US Senator for only two. He’d never led anything, and had been involved in politics for less than a decade.
His major track record related to radical causes
Yet, because of a supportive press, and the failure of the Republicans to live up to their ideals, the American people elected Barack Obama to lead the most important nation on earth.
Upon assuming office in January, 2008, he immediately tacked to the left just as Bill Clinton had done sixteen years before–and Jimmy Carter sixteen years before that.
We seem to get a liberal assault every sixteen years or so.
And now–after two years of radically liberal policies:
- Three trillion dollars in excessive government spending
- Chicago-style arm-twisting, back room deals, and appointing numerous “czars”
- Pushing destructive environmental causes (Copenhagen Summit and Cap and Trade legislation)
- Weakness in the war on terror (refusing even to use the word),
- Expanding the federal government by 10% and scores of thousands of jobs
- Pushing through national health care–worse than Hillarycare–that bears his name.
- And vowing to vastly alter the American nation through massive income re-distribution,
Barack Obama has arrived at the “shrinking president moment” faced by Bill Clinton in 1992. Repudiated by a landslide election on November 2–far worse than the 1992 debacle on a national scale–President Obama had the opportunity to humble himself, accept a political defeat, and be servant-like, and democratic by turning back to the traditional American center.
He could have pivoted America back toward fiscal sanity and moral rightness.
Instead, he pushed for a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (the homosexualization of the American Armed Forces), and continued to hold out on raising taxes on successful small businesses and wealthy individuals–the ones who create jobs in the economy.
He’s not listening.
So he’s neither being democratic nor acting as a servant leader.
Barack Obama has proven to be a radical ideologue who doesn’t understand democracy and appears to have no desire to serve the will of the people. He ultimately lost the battle to raise taxes, but not because he’s repentant and willing to change.
He just doesn’t have the votes.
As long as he proudly stays the secular-progressive course, he will continue to shrink as a leader (now down to 39% in public popularity) and hurt the American nation.
We are witnessing a colossal failure in democratic, servant leadership.
It pains me to write these words. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, to stay clear of questioning others’ motivations, and give them a chance to perform. For the past two years I have been waiting for a “wiser” Barack Obama to emerge or evolve. I wishfully thought that the awe and realities of the office of the POTUS would soften his perspective on the great issues of our day.
I have been deeply disappointed–as has much of the nation. After the November mid-terms, which were an historical tidal wave for conservative candidates on both a state and national level, I again hoped Barack Obama would step to the teleprompter and say something like this to the American people:
“My fellow Americans, you have spoken clearly through the election results. I have been humbled by your voice and want to respond to the will of the people. “Let me be clear: the people are the true leaders of the United States of America, and as our leaders you have told us to change course.”
“You do not want us to increase the size and growth of the Federal government. You want power returned to the people and also to the states. You don’t want us to follow the pathway of Europe, but return to the American dream of individual freedom, a Constitutional republic and limited powers of government control.”
“I have heard your concerns and will respond to your will. Together, let us do the right things to make our nation great again.”
I’d love to hear those words from our 44th president.
Humility and truth are beautiful things.
So is the ability to listen.
But it doesn’t look like they will be forthcoming. Barack Obama is more a radical version of Jimmy Carter than a pragmatic-oriented Bill Clinton.
In my heart, I hope that President Obama will still see the light and pivot toward the truth. If he doesn’t, the American nation could be in store for some very dark days ahead.
We are sadly witnessing a colossal failure of democratic servant leadership.
Let us pray fervently for our president–and live as servant leaders in the spheres God has given to each one of us..