So much of leadership today is without respect for authority. The rule of law is ignored. Power is bought, sold, given and taken. Recognizing authority and obeying such brings security and order to the organization. God is the ultimate authority. All authority rests in Him. He entrusts roles of leadership and as leaders lead, accountability is a way to know if you are living under authority. Accountability for your actions is the foundation to successful leadership. God and His word are at the top of the authority chain of command. Recognizing and obeying the one in charge brings security and order to any group. Every follower looks to the leader for direction and accountability. God is the ruler over all. I Peter 5 :5-7 says “ yea all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time : casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” Recently, I was confronted by authority to change something that was very important to me as a leader. I have a very deep belief of its importance to the ministry, as well as to future leadership of others. I was told things needed to be changed. The first thing I did was realize the authority needed to be evaluated. Then I needed to submit. But because I felt it was a very important mistake, I turned to another approach, that of appeal. Whenever you as a leader feel the authority is making a prominent and lasting mistake, you must appeal. How to make an appeal? (This something I learned in a special course - Basic Youth In Conflicts) Check your "why" motives. Warn the authority about a wrong course of action ..show them this is not in their best interest. Try your best to help the authority achieve their over reaching goals. Help them see a different perspective and recognize the flaw in their thinking or action. Show the factual reason this will diminish results for organization and therefore affect the authority as well. Stay positive and loyal. Serve the authority figures and respect the final decision. Respect and protect the authorities position. Recognize their position sometimes puts them in a position to see evidence not readily available to everyone else. Don’t take things lying down - Dare to stand up to a bad decision even if they are regulations. Do everything in your power to bring change to the regulation that is affecting the effectiveness of the organization. But never be bullied into submission if you know something is wrong or goes against the Truth of God’s Word. Always appeal knowing your heart is in the right place. John Maxwell says “ leadership is a choice you make rather than a place you sit. In other words, leadership comes from influence and not from position. For this reason, even when you’re not in front, you’re still leading those around you.” I