Managing the Nehemiah Way
The Bible is our guide book for life. It contains principles that can be applied to every aspect of every situation because the author is 100 percent accurate 100 percent of the time. One of the principles found in the Bible is proper management. Though many instances of proper management are given throughout the Bible, it is important to note the managerial success of Nehemiah. Due to the godly principles he uses, Jerusalem is rebuilt. These godly principles are reiterated outside the book of Nehemiah and used by managers today.
Principle 1: Leaders Need to Scan their Environment To begin with, Nehemiah illustrates the quality of environmental scanning in Nehemiah 1:1-3. In this passage, Nehemiah was scanning his environment and keeping up with the news from the region, and therefore, recognizes a problem in Jerusalem when he hears of one. For Christian managers it is essential to scan external, internal, and personal environment as well. I Peter 5:8 says, “be vigilant; because your adversary the devil… walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Attacks on Christian leaders will come from everywhere in the workforce of today. Applying Nehemiah’s principle of environmental scanning today, leaders should stay tuned to current events to discern developing influences effecting their company and work (Williams, p. 85). Staying in touch with current events is a godly principle illustrated by Nehemiah.
Principle 2: Leaders Need to Pray to Discern the Lord’s Leading Nehemiah not only was scanning his environment for potential issues, but also was praying about the issues as he heard of them. As soon as he heard of the problem in Jerusalem he took his request for mercy to God in a prayer of repentance (Neh. 1:4-11). Philippians 4:6 says, “by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known unto God.” It is important that godly leaders take issues to God to discern His will and to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what
Principle 1: Leaders Need to Scan their Environment To begin with, Nehemiah illustrates the quality of environmental scanning in Nehemiah 1:1-3. In this passage, Nehemiah was scanning his environment and keeping up with the news from the region, and therefore, recognizes a problem in Jerusalem when he hears of one. For Christian managers it is essential to scan external, internal, and personal environment as well. I Peter 5:8 says, “be vigilant; because your adversary the devil… walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Attacks on Christian leaders will come from everywhere in the workforce of today. Applying Nehemiah’s principle of environmental scanning today, leaders should stay tuned to current events to discern developing influences effecting their company and work (Williams, p. 85). Staying in touch with current events is a godly principle illustrated by Nehemiah.
Principle 2: Leaders Need to Pray to Discern the Lord’s Leading Nehemiah not only was scanning his environment for potential issues, but also was praying about the issues as he heard of them. As soon as he heard of the problem in Jerusalem he took his request for mercy to God in a prayer of repentance (Neh. 1:4-11). Philippians 4:6 says, “by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known unto God.” It is important that godly leaders take issues to God to discern His will and to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what