LEAD AND BE LED

As I write this blog I am preparing to do a staff training for a church.   As I have talked to leaders and pastors here, I keep thinking of how much leadership makes the difference in any organization, especially the local church.  To lead takes a tremendous amount of energy and courage.

Romans 12:8 says, "If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously."  One translation says "Lead with all diligence."     I think Paul says take it seriously, because we have a tendency to get lazy with this gift.  Leaders possess the ability to motivate, challenge, encourage and be a catalyst for perhaps hundreds or thousands of people to not "do" church, but rather "be" the church. 

I think great leaders lead and are led.  Leaders that make a difference understand the need to take risks.  Good leaders sometimes fail, but they recognize failing is different than being a failure.  They focus on learning and being better.   I have watched the best leaders and they always lead by example, serving with consistency and integrity.   Leaders who make a difference are team players.  They believe that with a team they collectively can accomplish more than they could by themselves.   Leaders who make a difference learn to receive constructive feedback.   This is one of the hardest jobs of a leader, to be willing to change to the point they will listen and respond to feedback. 

Leaders also are led.  They are led by God first.  When I make a decision that affects other people, I always make sure I am listening to what God has.  Sometimes it means waiting until I am sure God is leading me, sometimes it is an on the spot decision that I just know is right.  I hope we as leaders will always listen to and be led by the One whose name we bear.  It would be easy to leave out the God factor, but that day is the beginning of the end of a leaders effectiveness for God's Kingdom.  After all, it is His church, His glory and His plan. 

Leaders are also willing to be led by people they lead.   Again, if we really want God's best, we have to recognize that God will speak and lead me through capable and gifted leaders.   Again, my responsibility is to get all the best information and make the right decision in any given situation.  I count on the leaders of Living Hope to lead me.  Respect is obviously important in leading people who are leading you, and it is important to bring the best information to a leader that is available to him or her.   Once information is given and advice is offered, then a leader has to assess the information and make the best decision possible in the given situation.  It is hypercritical that unity is preserved and when opinions are offered, in the end, a leader needs to be supported.  Often times I make a decision that isn't what others wanted, but I have always felt respected and supported, which gives me the necessary encouragement I need to continue to "lead with all diligence."   

This month, I am excited about our Leaders Gathering.  It has been two months since we last met, where we talked about volunteers.  I really want to spend time talking about this leadership gift.  I want to talk about team building, communication and other aspects of effective leadership.  If you are in a leadership position, I know this will be time well spent. 

Join us January 19th.  9:00 - 11:30 AM.   Let us serve you breakfast and let's together talk about this necessary gift.  We will learn from God and each other.

Tell us leadership stories.  Either on the comments of this blog or at info@livinghopechurch.com. 

Lead and be led

John