Leadership is something I have always been very passionate about. I have read many books about the subject, specifically on how it relates to church. I would like to share three things that have really helped me grow as a leader. Some of these come straight from the pages of countless leadership books; others come from private conversations I've had with very experienced leaders, as well as my own personal experience. So here we go:1- Fight with your own armor
There are many successful leaders who are great preachers, great visionaries, great administrators, and great strategists. In some way or another, these men and women have changed the way we do ministry and, sometimes, even the way we see the world. I observe time and time again very talented young men and women trying to fight in someone else’s armor, someone they look up to. The first thing that comes to mind is the story of David. While he was still very young, way before he became king, David decided he was going to fight a giant named Goliath. After trying to discourage the young man, King Saul offers David his armor to wear when he fights Goliath. Anyone remember what happens next? David tries it on and decides it is not for him. David had the chance to test drive the best armor in Israel; it was by far the most secure, the most expensive, and the most technologically advanced equipment in the market. It was perfect for battle but it had one flaw: it was not his own. If David had decided to wear Saul's heavy armor, he would have never been able to swing his slingshot around fast enough to bring Goliath down. Throughout our ministry, we will feel tempted by “great leader's" shiny armor. But remember that God has given you special talents meant to help you bring down giants. Do not settle for the shiny armor.
2- Character, not skills
It is character, not skill, that makes a leader worth following. Skills are often easily learned and put into practice, but often times, they do not last. Character, however, is hard to build. It takes years of hard work and preparation, but every struggle is worth the trouble if we come out as men and women who lead from the heart. In shaping your character into one of a true leader, you will find many obstacles (take it from someone who is working on it day in and day out), but the biggest of them all is yourself. Through my experience, I have found that there are seven characteristics present in every leader:
1. A Servant Attitude
2. Passion for Purposeful Change
3. Optimism
4. The Courage to Overcome
5. The Ability to Take Responsibility
6. Authentic Integrity
7. The Pursuit of Wisdom
I will expand on this in another blog down the road. But the point is this: let it be your heart and character that leads others, not your skills. Do it for yourself and for those who follow you. One day your skills will run out of character to back them up and you will break your heart and the heart of those who supported you. If you are a leader, the best time to begin working on your character was ten years ago, but the second best time is today. Allow God and the Holy Spirit to work with you as you grow in character and lead to change the world.
3- Do not compare your life to someone else's highlight reel
You really shouldn't be doing this anyway! I know it’s tempting to see how good the pastor down the road is doing, but too often, we see the success of others and feel distraught as we look at our own lives. I was recently talking to a good friend who has spent the past two years preaching all over the world. He told me that people approach him all the time asking him to give them the "key." Every time, his answer is "hard work." With a few exceptions, being successful in anything, including ministry, is the result of hard work. When we look at the artist that takes the stage week after week for thousands of raging fans, we might be tempted to think, "Well, he's got it easy!" But we fail to see the years he or she spent inside a recording studio when the public had no idea who he or she was.
When things are not going too well in ministry, in the workplace, or even at home, resist the temptation to look outside into someone else’s highlight reel. This is the tool the enemy uses to fill those with great potential to make a difference in the world with discouragement. Remember that those who are successful now once struggled just like you did or like you are struggling now.
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These three simple pieces of advice have proven to be very effective in my own personal life and ministry. They have kept me on track even when I felt like giving up—sometimes, when success was right around the corner. However, as effective as these tips might be, don't forget that who you lead is not as important as who you follow. No matter what, always follow the Lord and lead others to Him.
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