Lack of Leadership

I have recently struggled with leadership in several different areas of my life. As a player in my sphere of influence. I learned a lot about leadership academically and have written several papers on the topic in school, not as it relates to ministry, but on examining the personal characteristics of a leader, the relationships that a leader has, how leadership develops, and the most effective leader traits and habits.

Leaders can be classified as leaders based on many different attributes: power, influence, knowledge, position, age, status, situation, etc. But there is one thing that is characteristic of all leaders…that is, one thing that every leader must have to be called a leader…followers…

I think one way to be a leader after God’s heart, is to keep the followers in mind and as a priority. This brings to mind 1 Peter 5. We are called to be leaders…not because we have to, but because we want to please God. He says to tenderly show others the way. He also calls us (from the Message) to be down to earth with each other….be honest with what you think…not overly critical, but telling others what you think (relates to Titus verse, I think).

I think this is where a control freak may come into play. Imagine a shepherd with 100 sheep, trying to control each and everyone of them, eat here, drink now, sleep, etc…makes for a lot of mindless followers, who prefer the safe and mundane and will only do something when told or via force…not to mention that it makes the leader no longer a leader, but more of a manager.

For some reason, Phillip Yancey comes to mind….Jesus did not say, "all men will know you are my disciples...if you just pass laws, suppress immorality, and restore decency to the family and government..., but rather...if you love one another." Shepherds that love the sheep gently guide until they get too close to edge of the cliff or until they see a wolf. I have always pictured Jesus as a “gentle rebuker”. I am sure that this was not the case, but I do know that some of his most stern rebukes came to those that were not his followers…

Think about Peter writing this…first can you imagine Peter being a shepherd? I picture him kicking the sheep back in line much more than gently using the staff to guide them. I also picture Jesus saying to Peter to feed my sheep and Peter’s reaction to this…. I think to be a godly shepherd we have to be willing to tenderly rebuke in some situations, but also willing to sharply rebuke in others…I guess its finding that balance that I find the source of my struggles…I do believe that different situations call for different leadership tactics or styles.

Being a lazy wimp for much of my life, I can relate to this. I also know that its taking the easy way out. The important thing about falling off the horse is getting back on. I know that God would rather have us fall off everyday than never get on. ...1 Peter 5: 8 and 9...the devil is poised to catch us napping and is always looking for lazy wimps...

Here is a recent prayer that has had meaning for me….

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it...
Merton