So, in my first few blogs I’ve shared some ideas on being an Armor Bearer. I will eventually move on to other blog topics – particularly around leadership, humor, life lessons, and maybe a few tricky topics to help stretch myself and others. But, before I move on I wanted to address a few comments I’ve heard from others about this site.

I’ve been asked, how does “Serving and supporting in the spirit of armorbearing” make you a better leader, manager, consultant, husband, father, or someone I can trust to get the job done?  In other words, if the attitude of an armor bearer is one of servanthood in which you attend to, care for, help, assist, and encourage other leaders – how does that make you a leader??

My simple answer is this: Authentic Armor Bearers (servant leaders) help perfect those they serve by loyally investing, respecting, elevating, and loving them. They walk the talk and inspire their leaders to raise their game. That’s ultimately why they’re sought after to be leaders themselves.

Think about a few parallels in duties/traits between an armor bearer and those in leadership (I certainly hope you expect those who lead you to have these traits)

• Competence – People look to leaders for sound guidance and leaders look to their followers to be able to get the job done
• Confidence - Must have an attitude/disposition that is attractive and will inspire others
• Concern - Must be tuned into and have a deep down respect for those around them. This includes acceptance for and tolerance of others’ personalities and way of doing things
• Courage - Must possess the strength to press and force their way forward without giving way under tremendous pressure
• Loyalty – Armor Bearers have their leaders back and there comes a time when every leader must take the target off the back of his armor bearer and place it on his own

Servant Leadership is not an oxymoron. Leadership is built upon serving, sacrificing, and seeking the greatest good of those being led. If we could master the servant mentality, what greater influence we would have and better leaders we would become.

Tags: leadership | service | armorbearing

Welcome everyone to my blog site and more importantly my first real blog post.  I wanted to set the stage for why I'm doing this and what you can expect in blog entries to follow.  Why "Armor-Bearer.com"? What's that tag-line mean ("Serving and Supporting in the Spirit of Armorbearing")?

I've been micro-blogging since earlier this year via Twitter (@DouglasLess) and many of my "tweets" seem to focus on topics of service, leadership, management, life lessons, and famous quotes in an attempt to inspire, motivate, encourage, and maybe even to challenge folks a bit.  My passion for leadership really came into focus three years ago when it was made clear to me that we need to examine and strengthen our beliefs if we are to change our impact and effectiveness with those around us.  Thanks to some awesome Bible-based teaching and connecting with successful Christian leaders - I'm discovering more and more how to use my talents in a God-honoring way.

So, Armor-Bearer.com was spawned from two related things - a Bible passage that hit a chord with me and the opportunity to deliver my first sermon just one month ago with that very Bible verse as the centerpiece of the message.  The passage comes from the Old Testament, in First Samuel chapter 14, Verse 7:

"Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul."

The armor-bearer that said these encouraging 16 words was that of Jonathan, the prince and son of Israel's King Saul.  Jonathan, a mere teenager at the time, was about to embark on what seemed like an impossible mission of entering the enemy encampment of seasoned Philistine soldiers by himself while the rest of Saul's discouraged, nearly defeated, army lay sleeping.  The armor-bearer believed in Jonathan and by saying "I am with you heart and soul" his faith actually helped to increase Jonathan's faith and together these two young men start a battle that conquers an army.

These words resonated with me - when was the last time I've told anyone I was with them "heart and soul"?  And is there someone in my life that would say the same to me - that they are with me, with me all the way.  God is looking for people that have that kind of heart, who are willing to encourage those they are called to serve - he even gives them a name - he calls them Armor Bearers.

I realize that I've been focused for so long on family and career that I've not made the time or space in my life for an armor bearer friendship.  So, I created Armor-Bearer.com because as Christians we need each other.  Every man and every women needs someone to walk through this life together - someone who will be with you heart and soul, no matter what.  

I personally want to be considered a modern day armor bearer to my friends, family, church, church leaders, and clients - someone you can count on to support you, help you, and benefit you especially when you face trials or great challenges.

Cheers!

Tags: armorbearing | leader | leadership | armor-bearer | friendship | service