So, are you a leader or not? You may have asked yourself that question dozens of times, especially as you take on new responsibilities or enter a new phase of life. The answer is often elusive. Do you go with that gut sense of leader-feeling, or do you analyze yourself by some external criterion? Obviously, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not you’re cut out to lead. There are, however, some factors you should consider.
You know how a vending machine works. You put your money in, press the button and presto! Out comes your goodie. Usually. The vending machine is a marvelous invention for its quick fix, satisfying products. Obviously, it may require a kick and a shake now and then, but overall, the vending machine is not all bad.
What is bad, however, is when we think of God as a vending machine.
For many leaders, all of life often feels like a 100m dash in the middle of a tornado. But the dash never ends. It’s constant exertion. It’s chaos. It’s exhausting. It’s dangerous. Life is harrowing because of its busyness and its constant high-pressure responsibility. If you’re like most normal human beings, you long for more calm in your chaotic life.
Are you a reasonable person? If you’re trying to follow God’s Word, you should be. Here’s why: ”Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (Philippians 4:5). Are Christians known for their reasonableness? Or are they known for their extreme positions, dogmatism, political party positions, rants, defensiveness, boycotts, greed, double standards, hypocrisy, and judgmentalism?
Leaders are grown by other leaders. Good leaders learn from other good leaders. The way to be a better leader is to be a mentor. If you are called to be a leader, you have not been called to go it alone. It is essential to seek out a mentor who will help cultivate you as you fulfill God’s calling upon your life. Part of being a leader is learning how to become mentored.
There are a lot of cynical, burned out, and discouraged pastors out there. The sad truth is, there are many more pastors who will become that way. There is good news for the discouraged pastors. There is good news for those pastors and leaders who are on their way to a path of discouragement. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are the signs of declining leaders. Take heed, and avoid.
Leaders want confirmation that their leadership is on target. They want to make sure that they are doing the right thing. Sometimes, this “confirmation” comes in unexpected places. It sure doesn’t come my having a huge Twitter following, fawning accolades on your blog posts, or adoring masses flocking to hear you preaching. Here are three unexpected signs that your leadership is on target.
The church looks more like a fractured, splintered collection of personality cults, rather than “The Church” — that kingdom-advancing, others-loving, unity-pursuing group of people changed by Jesus. “What’s the way around this?” asks Justin Blaney in this short video interview. Listen to what pastors need to quit doing, and what they need to start doing.
