Do you lead with a powerful vision?

There are many different types of leadership styles that are represented in the Bible. One of those is Entrepreneurial Leadership which is demonstrated by the Patriarch Abraham. This type of leader as defined by Elmer Towns is “a person who organizes, manages, and assumes responsibility for a business or other enterprise.” Abraham definitely fits this mold having to leave his father’s house and go were God was going to show him and take responsibility for all who came with him.

Strengths

He gives clear directions and steps to those around him in order that they may pursue the vision. Also, he is one who leads with the Law of Dreams and is able to get many to follow him. In Genesis 12 Abraham does this when he leads his immediate family and Lot out of the land of their relatives and to a new land. God promised great things for Abraham and I am sure that was appealing to Lot and when there was a problem with livestock in Genesis 13 Lot was able to follow Abrahams leadership in that because he directed him to a desirable objective.

Weaknesses

Since this type of leader has visions that are pretty grand, it is hard for others to understand them and this sometimes makes it difficult for them to buy into the idea. Also, according to Elmer Towns, “they face a variety of apparently insurmountable obstacles in their way simply because they are the first ones to cut a path along that trail.” These leaders also can come under some criticism, which can be seen in Genesis 16, when Abraham’s wife Sarai started questioning the vision given to Abraham about a son. In the end Abraham allowed this to be a downfall, when he slept with Sarai’s maid Hagar.

Opportunities

In the midst of these strengths and weakness there are many opportunities that lay ahead for this type of leader. These leaders do amazing things in the middle of being counted out and in Hebrews 11:17-19, Abraham is seen as introducing a new and living type of faith. Also he is continuing to become wealthier even though he has left the land of his fathers. These leaders are the start of something new and exciting that many might look to as being too risky. Abraham had an amazing faith which gave great opportunity to the future, because of his trust in God.

Threats

In Genesis 12 Abraham takes extreme risks in following the vision he was given. He was away from family, and the place he went to was in the middle of a famine, which threatened his family’s livelihood and they had to go into Egypt to survive. Another thing that was touched on a moment ago is someone may have a more appealing alternative vision, which is what happen when Sarai had Abraham sleep with her Egyptian maid in Genesis 16. Abraham gave in when a section of his strong hold had a different idea, and this threatened his leadership and ability to stay strong with the vision God gave him.

Godly Traits

It has been shown that this type of leadership style is very attractive and useful, but there are also some issues that would cause alarm. In all, this leader has qualities that a Godly leader would need, such as; a vision from God, trusting in that vision, leading others in that vision, and was self sacrificial in order to make sure he and his people followed God’s lead. When a leader has been given a vision for his or her business or life circumstance, it is imperative that he or she has this type of leadership style otherwise they will never see it through.