Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Leadership: Man or method
It seems as if I have spent quite a bit of time lately discussing the subject of leadership, especially in the area of church leadership. I have really been struck by the intense desire to focus on the right methodology to insure good leadership. It seems that many people believe that there is a "magic bullet" out there that will facilitate effective leadership. If there has been a failure of leadership, there is often an assumption that we must be usinig the wrong model or method. It is as if finding the right method, model, or techmique will solve all our issues with leadership.
Yet, when I read thru Scripture, it seems that God's answer to leadership was to raise up people, not methods. In fact, it is amazing how little is said in Scripture about methods, models, or techniques.
So I have become convinced that great leadership starts with Godly men and women who lead more by example than anything else. I would go so far as to say that model and method are not the issue. If there is a failure of leadership, let's call for a revival among our leaders. Stop blaming the model. Stop looking for the trendy techniques. Commit to following God. People will follow a man who knows where he is going.
So I have about decided not to expend much energy on the method and the model. I am not so sure that just about any structure will work if the right people are leading. And if the right people are not in place, then no model will work.
One more thing. God has always raised up leaders when His people need them. He still does.
Yet, when I read thru Scripture, it seems that God's answer to leadership was to raise up people, not methods. In fact, it is amazing how little is said in Scripture about methods, models, or techniques.
So I have become convinced that great leadership starts with Godly men and women who lead more by example than anything else. I would go so far as to say that model and method are not the issue. If there is a failure of leadership, let's call for a revival among our leaders. Stop blaming the model. Stop looking for the trendy techniques. Commit to following God. People will follow a man who knows where he is going.
So I have about decided not to expend much energy on the method and the model. I am not so sure that just about any structure will work if the right people are leading. And if the right people are not in place, then no model will work.
One more thing. God has always raised up leaders when His people need them. He still does.
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Those are good thoughts Steve. However, where I have seen leadership "fail" in my local church in Abilene is when those who possess those leadership traits you are talking about get cut back or told their thoughts, efforts and ideas are not going to be accepted when those thoughts and ideas the new leaders have are somewhat controversial.
It is simply not enough to "raise up new leaders" if the new leaders are not going to be given room to explore new ground. Those who are "raising up new leaders" have to allow for those leaders that are being "raised up" to try new things. If or when those new leaders are consistently told that new and controversial ideas are not accepted in this place, those "new leaders" will do one of two things. They will either absolve their position of leadership or try to change the model of leadership in place to accommodate their new thoughts and ideas. I believe this is where you begin to get discussion and push for new "leadership" models.
So, yes, I agree with you about raising up new leaders. At the same time I would encourage you to consider, since you are in a position of invested leadership within your church, to not forget that when those new leaders are being raised up that those "doing the raising" not forget the need for the new leaders to feel their ideas are being accepted and validated.
Thank you, Steve for all you have done and continue to do for the kingdom of God!
It is simply not enough to "raise up new leaders" if the new leaders are not going to be given room to explore new ground. Those who are "raising up new leaders" have to allow for those leaders that are being "raised up" to try new things. If or when those new leaders are consistently told that new and controversial ideas are not accepted in this place, those "new leaders" will do one of two things. They will either absolve their position of leadership or try to change the model of leadership in place to accommodate their new thoughts and ideas. I believe this is where you begin to get discussion and push for new "leadership" models.
So, yes, I agree with you about raising up new leaders. At the same time I would encourage you to consider, since you are in a position of invested leadership within your church, to not forget that when those new leaders are being raised up that those "doing the raising" not forget the need for the new leaders to feel their ideas are being accepted and validated.
Thank you, Steve for all you have done and continue to do for the kingdom of God!
Good thoughts. Gets me to thinking about leadership and "followership" (my word). Can you lead if nobody is ready to follow? How do we prepare followers and leaders?
Good thoughts. Regardless of method, the message leads to teaching people to come to God, to find forgivenss in Jesus, to have a relationship with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we get so entangled in methodology that we forget what our goal is.
We may know how to read through scripture, but a whole generation exists now, today, who do not know anything about scripture, or even how to find their way around in it.
Let's remember where we are, where we are headed, regardless of our methods. And if we want to lead, let's lead by doing and by teaching others who want to lead by "doing" with them along side us.
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We may know how to read through scripture, but a whole generation exists now, today, who do not know anything about scripture, or even how to find their way around in it.
Let's remember where we are, where we are headed, regardless of our methods. And if we want to lead, let's lead by doing and by teaching others who want to lead by "doing" with them along side us.
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: 10:30 PM PDT
: 10:30 PM PDT << Home
