As we
explore being Blessed in this Pentecost season series, we may be discovering
that as we more deeply become who we are meant to BE, and open space by CHOOSING
to LISTEN that something else is happening. Just maybe we are developing some
confidence that is helping us to LEAD others to similar explorations of their
relationship with God and others.
What is
leadership? Different people have different definitions.
- · To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence…When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!' — Lao-tsu
- · It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.-- Nelson Mandela
- · Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.--Colin Powell
- · Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.--Steve Jobs
Is a Christian leader different?
- · The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.”– John Stott
- · Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.– Acts 20:28
- · A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way--John C. Maxwell
- · Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”– Mark 10:45
Perhaps the way the world sees leadership and the way God
sees leadership are slightly different. Secular leaders may focus on solving problems or put others needs first. In many ways they are similar, though.
Godly leadership stresses humility and ‘shepherding’, and ‘serving’. Leading
involves, as John Maxwell says, knowing the way, going the way, and most
importantly showing the way. It is in the way we live our lives that most clearly shows the way.
Jesus lead by example. He walked with his disciples,
teaching them before sending them out. In Luke we learn “Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the
kingdom of God and to heal...They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news
and curing diseases everywhere.” (Luke 9:1-6)
The core 12 were the first wave of new leaders. In chapter
10 we hear “the Lord appointed seventy
others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he
himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the
laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers
into his harvest.” (Luke 10:1-2). The 70 were now leaders themselves, going
out to work. They were instructed to
“Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the
laborer deserves to be paid…eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are
there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you... Whoever
listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever
rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’ The seventy returned with joy, saying,
‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’” (Luke 10:7-9, 16-17)
The 12 apostles and the 70 that followed found that their
work prospered because they did as they were instructed. Like these first
appointed leaders, we are sent out to lead by our lives and witness to the 'kingdom of God' come near. We are
given the example of humility and the instruction to “not be served but to serve others”.
As we
learn to BE the Beloved Child of God we are created as, we can CHOOSE
to LISTEN to one another and to God. And in living more fully who we truly are, we
may just find that we are servant LEADERS.
How can you and I follow the first church leaders and
witness with our lives? Could it be that it is as simple as the advice from St.
Francis: “Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words”? Is it our actions that
are the best leadership? What can I do today to walk with someone as the
Christ-like servant leader we can be?
Next time we’ll look at one important component of Christian
leadership that we must not overlook (prayer).
