Yesterday, in electing our 45^th president, America spoke. And boy, did we ever. No matter who you voted for, chances are you know someone, you’re close to someone or you lead someone who is upset. In fact, given the tight race and the historically low approval ratings of both candidates, 50 percent or more of the people in your community are not happy about the results.

But it’s more than just the feelings of people who fill our pews. It’s about the challenges just ahead. With this new leader, our great country is at a crossroads. New agendas will bring a new era. How will we lead?

At the end of the day it goes without saying that God is in control. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be fear, uncertainty, even anger at the decisions of those who hold power in Washington. It is incumbent on us as leaders to navigate a path forward that doesn’t lean on these negative, if not normal, reactions.

Here are three ways that we can lead during this shifting new era:

We Must Lead with Faith
Old Testament leaders faced cultural challenges over and over again. But those who relied on their faith in God were always rewarded for their work and proved to be leaders of high impact. 

Elijah was the prophet of God under the most strenuous of circumstances. His king, Ahab, is regarded as the wickedest king in all of Israel’s history. Yet he stayed true to his principles, even in the face of death, challenging the prophets of Baal and certain in his God’s ability to answer.

Or think about Isaiah. He was a great man of God. One of the king’s he served, Uzziah, died and left his kingdom in doubt. During that trying time, the prophet penned these words about what he saw:

Isaiah 6:1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

When he was in doubt, his faith was restored simply by turning his gaze from the shifting uncertainty of the times to the eternal face of his Father.

When he was in doubt, his faith was restored simply by turning his gaze from the shifting uncertainty of the times to the eternal face of his Father.

Daniel faced opposition while in exile in Babylon, yet he stayed true to his faith. He defiantly refused the king’s orders not to pray to his God and, in turn, risked his own life in the lion’s den. But because of his faithful foundation he came out unscathed.

All these men are examples of what happens when a new era challenges our deepest held convictions. Will you stand up or sit back? Leaders who rise to the occasion multiply their influence.

We Must Lead with Hope
Though the times change, our message never will. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about the triumph of life over death. No matter the state of the culture wars, we win in the end. That’s what hope is all about.

As political agendas change, one thing remains the same, and that’s the presence of needs in our communities. It takes a hopeful leader to point people to the right answers. Those same people who either celebrated the new president or were angry with the results may show up on Sunday in dire need of something that no earthly king can provide. Will you be ready for them?

If we are so preoccupied with what’s happening in the halls of power that we miss an opportunity in the halls of our church, God help us.  

If we are so preoccupied with what’s happening in the halls of power that we miss an opportunity in the halls of our church, God help us. We have the one thing that can bring light and freedom to those who are lost.

We Must Lead with Love
The message of hope we hold onto is not easily shaken. Nor is it easily defeated. That’s because the greatest power that we have as leaders is simply to love people.

The people you get to lead won’t care who you know, how much you know or even how you voted until they find out that you love them. You can be the most eloquent and charismatic speaker, but unless you express sincere love for them, your words will fall on deaf ears. No matter how well your church is doing financially or how many members it’s adding weekly, if you don’t lead with love, it will be a kingdom built on sand.

Jesus never said that people would recognize us by our political platform or our voting record. He said they’d know us by our love. We can accomplish more through local acts of love than we can in fiery demonstrations against the prevailing culture. It was a group of loving servant leaders who turned the world upside down in the book of Acts after all. 

It’s no coincidence, then, that Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” He understood what it meant to be on the wrong side of religious and political opposition. But he led with faith, hope and love and his message transformed lives even if it never toppled an empire.

When we lead faithfully with a message of hope and expressions of love, we will help people of all political stripes through any new era. No matter the challenge ahead, the path is always through Jesus.