I would agree with all but #3, and I disagree with that one mostly on the fact that the way it is worded currently places the emphasis on results-oriented. I would much prefer it to say: "You remain grace-oriented, while recognizing that results matter."

I think even the expanded definition is too narrow. I think character is also how one reacts when the going gets tough. Do we cave in to easy solutions, or do we do what we know is best?

Examples: A husband may spend his whole life being a good leader, practicing personal integrity and keeping his thought life pure. But if one day he decides his marriage is just too hard to maintain and splits, that man lacks character. Character means alerting your employer to a problem you find, even if it will cause you more work, and even if ignoring it will cost you nothing. Character means forgoing instant gratification to build financial security for yourself and family. Etc. etc.

Very thought provoking post! I love the idea that character is more than some ego-centric self-check in the quiet closet of my own heart.

I am also intrigued by the challenge to be results-oriented as much as grace-oriented.

It reminds me of this little story about a demanding employer who made three venture capital investments. Two of his workers took his venture capital investment and worked hard until they doubled the money. Talk about results! But the other one did nothing. He achieved no results--and he received no grace for his wickedness and laziness. Yikes.

I've reread this list, and I've got to admit that this list is meant for someone who is not human.
Cause there is no way I, as a human being with all the accompanying faults, cracks, and much needed graces, can live up too.
It's ridiculous to even contemplate than anyone can live up to this list. The stress that one puts themselves under would be enough to crack the stoutest mountain.
How is it that we must create a check-list of series of prereq's for a man who has character.
Who among us would say David didn't have charater?
And yet if you slap this list upside him he would fail this list's litmus test in every way.
I know who I am, and I'm more than willing to admit that this list is impossible for me to follow. I wish anyone else the best in their pursuit of it.

Character means remembering solo deo gloria in all things. If we remember that, all falls into place. If it glorifies anything else, we are falling short.

Friends--

Thanks for taking the time to make some very thoughtful responses. I won't address all of them here, but I do want to respond to two.

Mitchell--Thanks for your thought on the way I phrased point No. 3. I go back and forth on this one. In the end, I think churches/ministries make a big mistake when they allow a mediocre or poor performance by a program or individual to continue because they fear addressing the performance will appear to be graceless. I wouldn't want to speak for Dr. Cloud, but I sense his point simply suggests this: That leaders of character recognize unaddressed ineptitude leads to fruitlessness. Addressing it ultimately helps bear fruit in the long run. And ironically, it sometimes may be the most graceful thing we can do for the church/ministry and the individual/program.

Sheerakahn--Thanks for being honest. I know these points seem like an unattainable checklist. They're not meant to be. I think they're additional guideposts for leaders to implement to help them lead with more character. It starts with the individual's heart condition--as the premise of H. Jackson Browne's quote suggests--and extends into the areas Cloud outlined. I know I have much to gain if I set my standards to those high levels as a leader and work every day to meet them.

Blessings.

It is a perfect example of the same top-down leadership model that has stifled spontaneity in the church and rendered Christendom tantamount to a once-a-week observance. If that's your thing, it's right-on. Some of the points aren't bad ones, but the whole notion reduces character to right images, saying the right words, and obsessing over maintaining a mental check list of self-righteousness. Rather, one's natural flow of grace, mercy, unconditional love, compassion and servitude to others seems a better barometer of one's character.

Character is what is left at the end of the day...People who don't even like you very much have to admit that you've got it...and people who love you have to admit that you lack it.
Kat

I find this list really odd - surely character is about who you are not what you do or say. Character is formed by life experiences, how you react under pressure, how much you allow God to mould you. Character for Christians should be about "it is no longer I but Christ who lives in me...". A big ask I agree, but something that God requires of us when he says - "you were bought with a price.. the precious blood of Christ....that you should no longer live for yourself but for Him who died for you". This is a much higher standard than the odd list in the article

Do you mean H. Jackson Brown Jr. of Life's Little Instruction Book?

Good thoughts from Cloud.

Peace.

i agree with Kat....Character is basically about the hard issues of life....its about commitment and understanding...

Character is about all the good qualities that u desire in the people that u associate it with....i know that it is hard at times to maintain a high level of integrity at all times but it is possible and once in a while when i am about to give up on the human race that i get washed over by an act of compassion, kindness and of such character that i shrivel up with embarrassment at my own weakness.

Ive learned that appearances is deceiving, character is found in unexpected places at unexpected times and in unexpected people......much like the story of Ruth in the bible.

She did not opt out for an easier life. What can she possibly gain by following her mother in law back to an unknown land??? But she was willing to suffer through a hard life and God rewarded her for her unselfish act of love and faith.... thats what i call character

I thought character and leadership had to do with two thing. A towel and a basin?

Ian

www.allaboutchrist.net

Ian, I agree completely. But learning to apply that metaphor to my specific work can be more difficult. (Granted, Jesus literally washed his disciples feet, but we don't serve each other in that specific way anymore.)

So what do I do when my student cheats on a paper? Do I build character by toeing the line and allowing them to fail? Do I extend grace and give them a second chance?

What do I do when I offer service to others who begin to take advantage. At what point does my service to them become a disservice to my family? Or even a disservice to the people I am serving--because my actions may become a way of enabling them.

Have you ever met pastors who provided better leadership to their church than to their own family?

What makes a person of character in situations like these? The person who goes to God, goes to the Word, and acts with wisdom and integrity.

God help me be that kind of person in everything I do!

Well, I think it all comes down to doing the RIGHT thing no matter the popularity (or lack thereof) of the decision you make. Do the right thing and you'll be able to sleep at night.

I like the list and the comments on # 3 m akes it more workable for me. Having a goal you can define means that you can hit it at least occasionally. And you can measure how well you are doing. If Paul at the end of his life was still pressing on for the high call, then so should I. Doing the right thing does not always guarantee a good night’s sleep. It may do the exact opposite. In Acts chapter 4, the right thing was to ask God for boldness and signs, the cost was far more than enjoying a comfortable night’s sleep. Which I guess is why often doing the right thing is so hard to come by. Character is practiced by what we do every day in the small things and when the pressure minor at worst. It is noticed when, on those generally infrequent days, your deep values are tested to do the “right thing” with the perception that there is an immediate, tangible and costly alternative of less “character.” The steeper the price, the less the sleep. So perhaps part of character is paying the price and moving on, forgetting those things which are behind.

I, for one, really appreciate point #2. I can clearly state which leaders in my life, both at church and work, have character and those who don't. One of the most ambitious non-Christian man in my company has more character than a pastor I served under for several years. I also agree with J. W., top-down leadership has failed the American church miserably, those who have had issues with it for a long time are just now getting a voice.

I would like to point out that on all 6 points of this blog the word "You..." started every sentence.

This does nothing for me, It is a list of what I should be doing, or rather "Laws" I should be upholding to prove I have good character.

Where does character come from??? In the American church you might think it comes from reading the right leadership magazines, attending the right leadership conferences, having the right devotional book written by a famous American religious leader, and going to church regularly.

http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog/

I read and reread the list...I am saddened that character has been brought to this. It seems from the list that character is how you handle the stress as a leader...We can all "appear" good and handle things well in public...But where the rubber meets the road is when you ask the spouse/kids "how is he/she really at home? How/she spend her leisure time?" How does he/she treat you?" That's when the true character is revealed. True character is Fruit of the Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will bear good fruit. And this fruit is who we truly are inside. What we are and who we are inside will make an impact on how we respond to stress and pressure. There will be a godliness shining through and through. The list in the write up was like dressing up to look good so no one can say anything negative about you.. There was no Spiritual meat at all... zero.

does character really only lie in the eyes of the beholder? our ideas and lists of what makes character present and real in the other seems to only go as far as our own opinions. certainly, the ideas of character that we each bare, can actually exist in the other, but they certainly cannot be the final word on a particular person's character. (that is a challenge for me to remember)

can character for the person who grows up in a loving home, who experiences love and acceptance in most all areas of life be compared to the character of a person who grows up abused physicaly, emotionaly, etc with very little acceptance in most areas of life.

if we stick with our lists, then i guess the answer could be yes.

but maybe the character it takes for one person to only lie or cheat or steal once a week, is equal to the character it takes for another to lie, cheat, or steal once a year.

how i treat these 2 is the difficult question for me.

thanks for everyone's thoughts