Here it is
Lead Now - How?
March 28th, 2007 by Steve Youngblood
Over the last thirty years I have watched as the church has
emphasized and re-emphasized leadership. I think that we may have
followed the lead that corporate America has set, as books, tapes,
seminars and material have proliferated on this subject. I personally
have been called to serve leaders, and I still travel the country
training and ministering to leaders. Sometimes I wonder if I am
contributing more to a problem, rather than bringing a solution. Let me
explain…
Much has been said about the failures of the church being as a
result of failure of leadership. I wonder if the failure in the church
might be a result of over emphasizing the importance of leadership. I
think we have come to the point that we are worshipping leaders and
leadership in general. This would be akin to idolatry and God does not
tolerate idolatry well at all.
The Heart - Motives and Attitudes
I have noticed that sometimes the people, who want to lead the most,
do so out of wrong motives and attitudes. I am more concerned about the
heart of a leader than I am about their giftedness or skill. Authority
is a very bad thing to give a person who has not crucified the flesh
with all of its passions. The attitudes and motives of the heart are
the very most important attributes of leaders… and it is up to each
leader to tend his or her heart.
When Jesus trained the twelve, He did not emphasize their gift or
call, or even the future roles they would have in the earth. As I read
His words, I don’t see Him exalting or lifting them up, or reminding
them of the great importance that they would have to the church. It
seems to me that He simply wanted them to know His Father. If they
could meet the Father, then they would have the opportunity to have the
Fathers heart.
On the Trail and in the Home
His training was not done in a seminar or classroom. He taught them
by example as he lived among them. He was challenging, patient, wise,
and very discerning when He taught them. His example was as powerful as
His words… there was no difference between what He said and what He
did. I am sure He was careful about who He chose… and He prayed for
them, reminding the Father that He had kept those that He had given
Him. He knew the choosing of the father.
He prepared them for hardship, conflict, suffering, and even death.
They led out of a love for Him rather then from a love for the
position. Their leadership positions did not profit them, by giving
them entitlements and perks that our positions often offer. These were
true shepherds who fed, led, protected, and laid down their lives for
the flock. Servant hood was more than a seminar concept… it was a way
of life.
I believe that truer leaders would emerge if we talked less about
leadership, and more about Jesus. Leaders just have a way of leading,
and they are easy to recognize when they do. I am talking a lot more
about serving, sacrificing, and suffering than I am about leading now
days. Some of the best leaders I know are not given to constant
chatter… but rather consistent and faithful service. They are more
interested in solving problems, teaching, loving, imparting vision and
taking care of others (LEADING) then they are in having preeminence,
prominence or platforms.
Becoming Child Like
I can teach leadership principles all day long… but only the
individual can deal with the most important issues of the heart. Jesus
said that in order to enter the Kingdom we would have to become like
little children. Becoming a child means that we are as dependent on God
as an infant is on its parents. With this kind of weakness, innocence,
humility, and dependence we can really make a difference in the lives
of those that we lead… Perhaps leading is not about being strong,
smart, powerful and confident, but rather about becoming weak so that
His strength can be revealed through us….
When we make Jesus our total focus, the leadership stuff inside of
us will come out… it leadership becomes our focus, we will not be able
to truly reflect His heart in our leading. Perhaps we need to stop
talking about leading and just talk about Jesus… I think its time to
let the church enjoy a break from the whole ‘worship the leader’ kick,
and refocus on worshiping Christ…. Think about it!
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