Being in leadership in most churches is a case of trial and error — trying to figure out what seems to work, what seems to be effective, and what most people respond to. This process can be very frustrating and difficult, causing much hurt and misunderstanding along the way – not only to the ones you are trying to lead, but also to yourself. I’m a person who prefers to observe rather than participate – but over the years spiritual leaders have seen something in me that have caused them to ask me to care for this or the other ministry. Since I work from the perspective of observation, one of the things that has helped me is, by process of elimination, to not do the things that I have not necessarily appreciated in other leaders. Knowing how you don’t want to lead is as important as knowing how you want to lead. Here are just a few examples: (1) a boss, someone who delegates all the work to others while “managing”, (2) one who micro-manages, not trusting others with anything, (3) a leader who cannot appreciate the opinions or ideas of others. (4) Then there’s the inability to accept criticism – which is a very painful and a vulnerable thing to allow. (5) And the worst yet is to keep people down so that they can never “do the job better than you”, out fear that they might take your job.
The question I ask myself is: what kind of leadership style do I want to have? What kind of qualities others might appreciate and wish to emulate?
Let’s first look at two Bible passages:
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”. Do I want you to imitate me as I imitate Christ? What exactly does that look like? Jesus modelled servanthood as His leadership style. He served, He ministered, He encouraged, He listened to and answered those who were following Him. Yes, he admonished (but out of love) and He did it knowing that He would not be appreciated or thanked. In Mark 10:42-45 (TPT) we read: “Jesus gathered them all together and said to them, “Those recognized as rulers of the people and those who are in top leadership positions rule oppressively over their subjects, but this is not the example you are to follow. You are to lead by a different model. If you want to be the greatest one, then live as one called to serve others. The path to promotion and prominence comes by having the heart of a bond-slave who serves everyone. For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price in exchange for the salvation of many.” Being in leadership can be a thankless job. So if you are in it for praise, prestige or power, you’re in it for all the wrong reasons. And you probably won’t be a leader of longevity; and you certainly won’t be a happy or joyful leader.
So what I am learning as a leader, that I would hope others would see and want to apply in their own ministries? Here’s a small list. Perhaps you will find yourself in these:
Calling out in others what God sees in them – give people the feeling that God can use them to accomplish anything.
Be vulnerable / live a life of transparency. Be truthful. Be upfront about the fact that you can’t do it “all” well.
Live authentically and with integrity (not just in the big things). We have to care about the things no one sees. The secret things/sins/burdens.
Grace / patience – truly treating others the way one wants to be treated.
Be a promoter. Be unselfish. Help those you are leading to become better than you are.
Stewardship – whatever happens in your church is partly based on your stewardship. Serve with open hands and an open heart. Own the responsibility – but never feel like the position you hold is “yours”. One needs to lead with passion, knowing that if the ministry you are leading is given to someone else, you can release it. God is the sovereign One. Don’t hold on to the title too tight. It is not from the title that we serve, nor for the title, it is for the glory of God! 1 Corinthians 10:31 (TPT): ”Whether you eat or drink, live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God.”
Brenda Reinhold
Worship Pastor, IJG-Langen