Leadership Thoughts

Theology of leadership

In seminary the guiding vision of leadership that we were taught was summed up in the phrase "servant leadership." Over the last 20 some years I have enjoyed significant time and experience to figure out what that means.

The idea of servant leadership comes from Jesus’ own teaching. He proclaims himself a servant leader and commands that his followers becomes the same sort of leaders, Not lording it over their followers serving their followers in love.

Paul continues this thinking in Ephesians 4 where he describes pastors/Teachers as gifts that Jesus has left behind as he ascended into heaven. He left Pastor/teachers aid the body of Christ in healthy growth through service to each other into the world. Peter also advises fellow elders to be shepherds of God's flock as that have been left under their care, Serving as overseers not because they must but because they're willing is God wants them to be not from dishonest gain, but because they are eager to serve.

Looking at the life of Jesus, he was able to serve in such away that is strengthened his ability to lead and teach. He taught with greater authority. He didn't quote other rabbis as was the custom, but instead taught directly from the Old Testament. He exercised spiritual authority over demons and commanded them out of people’s lives with his words. He demonstrated Great authority over disease and even death. Yet he never asked or commanded that his own needs be met by those following him. He knelt and washed the feet of his disciples. He reached out to the woman caught in adultery and forgave her.

In fact, a look at the book of Acts shows the early church at its best as everybody served everyone else in love. In the beginning chapters please see that there is no need the young fellowship, because those that had means sold the extra and gave to those that were in trouble.

Pet peeve alert: this is why I have trouble with Pastor appreciation month. I feel that a pastor and his or her family become part of the church family and they should be welcomed and cared for as part of the church family, Even though most of the time they are from outside the community. Appreciation month is not needed when the church family cares for the pastor and the pastor cares for the church family all year long. Unfortunately, the church and pastors lost this vision and took a business model for the relationship between a pastor and the church. The pastor became the CEO who was supposed to raise the business of the church to greater heights. The church then became the factory or the sales floor to get Christianity into the world. This is not the model of the New Testament. For in the New Testament we see pastors are called and given to the church as fellow brothers and or sisters who have the gift of teaching and are given the gift of time to study, pray and seek God's will for the local body of believers.

How I  lead

My first priority coming into a church is to find out where God is already at work. Where is God already blessing in and through a church, and how can I join what God is already doing? I have found it takes a year to see all that a church is doing and how God is already using the leadership team. This may be a formal leadership team, Such as a church board, Or it may be an informal team Sunday school teachers, Volunteers, Board members and the others.

I have found that God usually orchestrates a change of leadership, because Lord wishes to add to or enhance what a church family is already doing and/or being for him. So once I get an idea where the Lord is working, I start to ask, “Where would God like me to work? What do I bring to the table that will enhance the direction God is already leading?"

One area in which the Lord is has used me in the past is to start or enhance a drama ministry. Another area in which I have experience and gifts is working with teens and/or children. I have also been used to form healthy small groups. After the first year, I will likely come to board meetings with ideas. People are more important than ideas, so I don't push but I do coax.

Two books that I have found helpful in building leadership team are The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team and God Dreams. I realize that even Jesus the son of God, Formed a team to aid in his ministry. That team was than commanded to go on make their own teams, Disciples. I find that to be the pattern of healthy leadership, so I will be looking to work with existing leaders to build healthy teams. Leaders need to be investing in the lives of  young Christians to bring them along into the family. Young Christians need all the encouragement and caring advice that they can soak in. 

Again, church development is not found primarily in board meetings, but in coffee shop meetings. Board meetings can weave the dream, small group meetings are the muscles of Christ’s body acting in culture to bring the kingdom to bear.