Leadership Lessons Gleaned from George Washington & the American Revolution

1.       The best of men are still men at best.

As a military tactician George Washington was an average Commander.  He lost many military conflicts and was often wrong in his strategic planning.  Having said that, General Washington was courageous, loyal, and extremely dedicated.  His ‘courage under fire’ inspired his men and an entire nation to persevere during a war that would have broken many a lesser man.

2.       All one can do is be a person of character and conviction.  Serve God faithfully and leave the results in the hands of Almighty Providence. 

 At various points in Washington’s career, General Washington was a few set backs away from infamy rather than ‘eternal glory’ and ‘fame.'  There is a thin line between being heralded as a military hero, a founding father, and one of the nations all time great Presidents and being remembered as something far less.  All one can do is be a person of character & conviction.  Serve God faithfully and leave the results in the hands of Almighty Providence.

The Christian life is not about personal glory and fame (Col. 3:17, 1 Cor. 10:31).  Having said that, we all will leave behind some kind of legacy.  What will your legacy be?  Persevering faith in Christ and obedience to His Word or something far less?  Hebrews 11 is a wonderful chapter to dwell on when considering this subject.

3.       Washington’s leadership was challenged and opposed from within on more than one occasion.  Good leaders are not exempt from friendly fire in fact they often attract more of it.

 Major General Charles Lee (was very jealous of Washington’s appointment as "Commander in Chief"; Lee wrote letters undermining Washington's abilities in hopes of taking over himself; At one point Washington accidentally was given this letter.  Later Charles Lee disregarded Washington's clear directives in the Battle of Monmouth; Washington could not allow this act of insubordination to stand).

 General Benedict Arnold-  (was someone who George Washington trusted.  Benedict Arnold could not deal with tough setbacks which led him to betray his Commander and nation. This Judas ram agreed to sell out West Point for a command position and money from the British. Arnold's story is perhaps similar to disloyal Demas' actions in the apostle Paul’s day).

 American Soldiers and officers- (Like Moses in the Old Testament, Washington endured various attempted mutinies and acts of insubordination from among his own troops.  On one occasion Washington had 8 nooses tied.  He wisely decided to let seven soldiers go and only execute one of the leaders.  In another period of difficulty Washington had the leaders of a mutiny stand before a firing squad composed of the followers who joined this mutiny.  Those men had to execute their fellow insubordinate leaders.  All this was done with the entire army present to prevent chaos and mutiny from taking hold of the camp).

Godly leaders are Satan’s greatest enemies.  The devil will try and bring down all of God’s people especially those serving on the front lines.  Of those officers serving on the front lines he is most interested in bringing down those who are most faithful to Christ and His Word (church history and biblical history proves this is so).

 

Jesus had Judas Iscariot.  Paul had Alexander the coppersmith (2 Tim 4:14) and many others.  The apostle John had Diotrephes (3 John 1:9).  Moses had Korah (Numbers 16).  If you serve the Lord faithfully you better count on opposition.

Our ministry efforts have been undermined by outsiders and have been assaulted by a number of (former) members along the way. Character assignation through slander and gossip campaigns, rank insubordination, and many other fleshly tactics were Satan's attempts to thwart the revitalization and reformation of FBC.  

In the end, the Lord in His mercy decided to protect and preserve this work.  When a pocket of disgruntled attendees eventually left God provided for our financial needs through a very unexpected two hundred acre farm estate gift.  He provided for our spiritual needs by giving as one quality deacon board after another, by leading many like-minded new families to our church, and by encouraging the hearts of longtime members to endure yet another conflict. 

 

"Great is Thy faithfulness.  Sunday by Sunday new mercies we see!  All we have needed Thy hand has provided!  Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me."