Leadership Top 10 from 10 Years of Ministry
I suppose in some ways I have always been a leader. I am sure my younger siblings would agree. My mom would receive phone calls at work about how I was making them play school on their summer break, and I remember many times making up the rules to the games that I picked. I was a freshman in High School when I was asked to join the student leadership team. I am not confident that I had any reasoning in saying yes, other than it sounded like fun to make decisions. However, the next four years changed my life. Not only did I become a leader in my school, but also in my youth group and in the para church organization I was a part of. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized how blessed I was to have people that believed in me from a young age.
Since then I have had great moments in leadership, and heartbreaking ones. Ones where I made the right choice, and ones where I miserably failed.
I just completed 10 years in ministry, so I thought it would be fun to share with you the Top 10 things I have learned in those years.
10) Leaders are not perfect. Your imperfections do not discount you from being in ministry. In fact, the most powerful thing you can do as a leader is admit that you have messed up and need forgiveness. Godly leaders know that their leaders are not perfect as well. In fact, Godly leaders can still flourish under ungodly leaders. It’s not an easy process, but we can actually let God use broken leaders to highlight the growth areas in our own lives and hearts.
9) Healthy leaders find growing leaders. I heard Alex Seeley explain once, “Too many people are teaching out of leadership and information, rather than relationship and revelation.” I will never forget sitting in church and hearing my pastor say, “As I continue to grow into maturity…” I don’t remember the second half of the sentence was, nor does my heart need to. The significance of having leadership who models spiritual growth is unmeasurable. So as leaders we find growing leaders, and as leaders we model growth.
8) No one likes to hear this, but leadership has a certain standard to live to. We find it through out scripture. The Bible is not shy about it either. In fact, Matthew talks about how it would be better to have a millstone tied to your neck and be thrown into the sea rather than lead a child astray. I have seen a millstone. That ain’t no small thing. There are so many beautiful parts to leadership, but there is also a weightiness. I often see people enter into leadership or teaching with bull-like aggression. I want to be the person who goes low and slow.
7) Leaders must have priorities and boundaries. If I have learned anything it is that knowing this, and living it, are two very different things. There have been seasons when I have been okay at this, and seasons where I have been horrible at it. Leaders must have the ability to say no to others. Their “no” is what protects their relationship with God and their relationship with their family. Statistics say that 80% of pastors kids struggle with depression. I wonder if these children are receiving a message that their hearts are not as valuable to their parents as the church’s well being. We must prioritize our relationship with God, then family or friends, then the people we are leading.
6) Leaders have followers. Leadership is not defined by how many people listen to you talk. Leadership is certainly not defined by the amount that you talk. Leadership is defined by if people are following you, doing life with you. I have heard it said, “If you are leading but don’t have followers you are just out for a walk.” Let’s not be people who are going on needless walks, but people who are shepherding and guiding.
5) Leaders have covering. I have found that covering is the thing I didn’t know I needed, but has given me wings to fly. Many people go to others to tell them what they have decided to do, a few ask for a blessing. However, this is not covering, this is not mentorship. Covering is when you go to others before you make a decision. Then ask for their input and guidance. It means willing to be told “no” or “not yet.” It can cause real heartbreak. But God respects leadership. In fact, He encourages us that if we honor or leaders things will go well for us. It’s a kingdom principle that leads to abundant life.
4) Don’t compare yourself to others. This is one of the hardest lessons to learn, and I think it comes in layers. Just when we think we have kicked comparison in the pants, it sneaks up on us again. The truth is, comparison robs us of celebration. You bring something unique, celebrate what God has given you.
3) In the world it is easy to confuse leadership with charisma, but in the church we have a tell tale sign. Safe leaders are going to have the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So we examine our lives. Are we exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in our homes? With our families? In private? On Friday night?
2) Leader’s don’t just fill a need. They set the culture. This is part of the reason I love working with church plants. In church plants everything is about setting the culture and protecting the DNA of the church. Church planters know that culture trickles from the top down, a hundred people might be able to do the task better, but the one will have the culture. When offered a leadership opportunity don’t just say yes because it’s a role that you want, be confident that you are a conduit for the culture.
1) Leadership can’t be your identity, once it is it has become an idol. In my journey I have stumbled into this more than once. Every time was followed by a season of humbling. My encouragement is to keep your identity fully rooted in being a son or daughter of God. Then as leadership opportunities come and go you won’t be swept up in false glory.
Don’t shy away from the gift that God has planted in you. Leadership is fun, rewarding and exciting. It’s one of the greatest honors. If you are a leader than I celebrate with you what God is doing in you and through you. I encourage you to fan the flame that is in your heart.