Willingness to partake in corporate vision is the greatest compliment that a person can pay to leadership. It is holy ground and should be treated with reverence.
Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch, The Shaping of Things to Come, p. 188
Leadership within the Body of Christ is widely misunderstood. It is too often confused with the ability to get things done. But project management and leadership have little in common.
In our society, everyone wants to be a leader.
- Employees are encouraged to be "leaders" so they can move up the corporate ladder.
- All prospective college students are "outstanding leaders."
- Athletes try to be leaders on the field.
But leadership is not the glamorous privilege that many think.
People who want to get their own way should never seek to be leaders. True leadership is not selfish. A follower has a better chance of "getting his own way" than a leader does. And leaders who abuse their position for selfish ends are dangerous, to themselves and others.
True leadership is costly. And not in the way that most think. True leadership will often require the sacrifice of
- Personal preferences
- Security
- Popularity
- Self-esteem
- Confidence
- Success
We hear a lot of talk about servant leadership. But that doesn't go far enough. We must have sacrificial leaders in the church. People who are willing to seriously follow the example of Jesus Christ, not just pay lip service to caring for others.
Effective leadership cannot be done (well) without massive quantities of empathy. And empathy costs far more than most are willing to give. It's easier to bend others to your will. Most self-styled leaders can't even let other people voice their opinions in a conversation. Control is not leadership.
Leadership is a sacred charge and should never be abused.
Pastor Rod
"Helping You Become the Person God Created You to Be"
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