Cedarville Magazine
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in all we do. Each of these is a biblical value
that is consistent with how a Christian
should live and lead. Colossians 3:23 calls
us to do all things with excellence, as unto
the Lord. Even higher than our calling to
serve our country is our calling to serve
our Savior.
Oliver
–
Integrity
— You simply cannot lead
effectively without character.
Orientation to service
— You work for
your organization, your people, and your
community. Approach them like Jesus
would, with a servant’s heart.
Relational skills
— Law enforcement
professionals need to be good with people.
They often encounter people in negative
situations. Even when you can’t heal
wounds or return property, you can leave
people better than you found themby being
professional and compassionate.
Team compatibility
— An individual’s
goals cannot supersede those of the team.
A successful criminal justice team has
members who will come early, stay late, and
sacrifice to help the team reach its goals.
Performance-driven mindset
— Set and
achieve goals, but do not compare yourself
to others.The ultimate measure of success is
not what you achieve, but whether you are
achieving the maximum use of your God-
given talents and abilities. Seek continuous
improvement by striving to be the best you
can be.
These are also the core values for the
Criminal Justice program.
What Bible verse has especially challenged
you to be a Christlike leader? When have
you employed this Scripture in a leadership
situation, and what was the result?
Reno
–
Micah 6:8: “He hath shown thee, O
man, what is good: and what doth the Lord
require of thee but to do justly and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
God has shown us what He expects
of us. Shouldn’t we be interested in what
God requires? It’s easy for a leader to
require justice — to put the hammer down,
admonish, demote someone, or keep them
from being promoted. But to love mercy?
This is not only showing mercy, but is an
attitude of mercy. How do we balance
justice and mercy? We learn the answer only by walking humbly
with God.
As a commander, I faced difficult decisions with personnel, often
having to review results of courts-martial. It’s no light decision to
take a person’s stripe and reduce his or her salary. My approach was
always to sleep on it. On occasion, others wanted me to hurry and
make the decision for administrative reasons. My response would
still be timely, but it was more important to get it right than do it
quickly. The only way to balance justice and mercy was through
humility.
Oliver
–
1 Corinthians 4:2: “Moreover, it is required of stewards that
they be found faithful.”
Government is a God-ordained institution. Law enforcement
is a calling to administer justice and be a steward over that which
God has given you responsibility. When He places you in a position
to lead, He expects that you will be found faithful, able to give an
account of the way you served God by serving others.
I worked in an agency that needed to undergomajor reform, and
change did not come easily. We faced resistance from staff, some
managers, employees, community members, and even a few local
politicians. At our staff meeting, those around the table were visibly
despondent, and one officer asked the question on everyone’s minds:
“Are we going to make it?” I began the conversation by addressing
each contested issue, one by one, with the “three question” test: Are
we doing the right thing? The right way? For the right reasons? We
were able to answer “yes” to all three on each issue, and therefore,
we decided to stay the course.
“Now to your question, ‘Are we going to make it?’” I concluded,
“I don’t know. Only God knows. But He brought me here, and
whatever He wants to do will be done.” It was one of those days I’ll
never forget; the Holy Spirit was present in the room, and everyone
was lifted up.
A biblical worldview changes your perspective about everything
and allows you to make decisions according to what God is calling
you to do.
Could you both share some books and authors that have shaped your
thinking about leadership?
The Bible, specifically:
• Nehemiah
• Proverbs, the book of wisdom
• The Gospel accounts of the life of Christ
Jim Collins,
Good to Great
Stephen R. Covey,
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Edwin J. Delattre,
Character and Cops
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
John C. Maxwell
Eric Metaxas,
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Edgar Puryear,
American Generalship: Character is Everything:
The Art of Command
