For Leaders Only Poem by Luke Easter

Are you a proven leader or one who will follow?
The latter is fine but is your leader solid or hollow?
Constantly putting off today, promising tomorrow?
During a trial do they exude the victory or sorrow?

Real leaders always put their talents to good use,
Not filled with broken vows followed by an excuse,
We can overlook inconsistency once, maybe twice,
If it is chronic how can any mission truly suffice?

You are whom you follow like you are what you eat,
Does the messenger allow you to successfully compete?
Pure honey makes us strong and with a taste so sweet,
Sugar is temporary, next a let down, then your defeat.

Why do many small time pastors trash Vernon or Dollar?
Due to restrictions from wearing their choke chain collar,
Feel inadequate leading a fifty member or smaller church?
Stop criticizing others & get your own house in order first.

Oh! I’m amazed at the jealousy that goes on in many a pulpit,
Is it any wonder why many in the congregation up and quit?
A house divided against itself won’t stand but will surely fall,
Is your leader only answering God, not Satan’s faithless call?

GIGO is an acronym that means, Garbage In Garbage Out,
What’s poured into the ears then coming out of your mouth?
Of course you can get revelation from a church small in size,
Only be sure it lines up with scripture, just a word to the wise.

Once, I attended a wedding at a church several thousand strong,
However, at the reception most of them didn’t try to get along,
The leader delivers a powerful message and skillfully preached,
But, this time some of the followers had committed the breach.

On the flip side, while at a Baptist awards ceremony for lunch,
A reverend and a minister had words, seconds shy of a punch,
No! Not the kind you mix in a bowl and drink with your meal,
Yes! Like Tyson and Holyfield, I’m talking about the real deal.

If that’s not enough to turn your stomach and make you sick,
Ever see fisticuffs in the prestigious field known as politics?
Impossible both parties are telling the truth,1 has to be lying,
When eloquent words of wisdom don’t work, fists start flying.

Truly, no one is perfect but we should always strive to do right,
Superman! The greatest hero didn’t quit because of Kryptonite,
This must be the “never say die attitude” of your fearless leader,
Do you want to be a Catfish living your life as a bottom feeder?

You’re the boss but everybody is talking at the same time too,
It’s time to ask yourself, “Exactly what kind of leader are you? ”
There is only one President, Prime Minister, etc., in Command,
Wake up Ostrich! Pull your head out from underneath the sand.

1st Kings 10: 5, tells of the Queen of Sheba’s spirit taken away,
By the excellence the leader Solomon & his people displayed,
When your congregation is challenged and brought into view,
Just what will or will not be said about the group around you?

Shepherd, having problems with your flock? Well, here’s a tip,
No one wants to be associated with or part of any sinking ship,
It’s time to tame those wild horses, pull back on the reins hard,
Otherwise your small will get smaller instead of becoming large.

During a sermon if parishioners don’t pay attention it’s neglect,
You simply can’t turn around demanding they show you respect,
This is a trait which isn’t automatically given it has to be learned,
Like all other successful accomplishments first it must be earned.

When does an error become a mistake? You refuse to fix or repair,
Like the hole in a damn, becoming bigger the longer it stays there,
On your watch are you doing nothing even after being made aware?
2 things, either leadership is down right lazy or they just don’t care.

When most leaders fail it’s due to a strong lack of inadequate vision,
By often relying on a physical instead of the spiritual circumcision,
Our “walk of faith” is not controlled based on our sight full decision,
And the #1 reason only a handful successfully complete their mission.

I had a job where one leader was always drunk, one habitually late,
Most others ruled atop their perch either by favoritism or racial hate,
Before the promotion spending their shift in the wrong place or sleep,
Having the nerve to wonder why their leadership skills were so weak.

It’s not to say others were angels because most certainly they were not,
Couple that with our department flooded from incompetence at the top,
Occasionally some peons got together, to go out and do the job anyway,
Even if accomplishment broke rules no matter what leaders had to say.

The Captain of the Titanic had half a dozen warnings of icebergs,
Did he double the watch, slow down, alter the course to swerve? ,
No, not in clear weather where you could see forever and a day,
But in the dark of night more than 1,500 innocent souls had to pay.

As Commander of the ship it’s what you know, not what others think,
Uncertainty is a leak that will most assuredly cause your boat to sink,
Although seeking opinions of others does not mean they run the show,
The final decision is based only on whether or not you say yes or no.

Leaders are empowered to create an impression of excellence and to impact,
For encouragement to move us far above wherever facet we are currently at,
Not like a pond empting into a stream and a small river is far as it will flow,
Are your desires to be a shark or killer whale in the ocean or just a tadpole?

When the time comes for advancement to your new leadership role,
You can honestly and proudly point to the garden you helped grow,
Understand your climb to the top is an arduous journey, often lonely,
And that is why this poem is specifically titled, “For Leaders Only.”