Succeeding in Leading

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A leader is defined as a person followed by others or a person who leads or commands a group. Here are some questions that leaders should ask themselves.  As a leader, could you submit to your very own style of leadership?  Do you believe that you would be positively influenced and motivated to achieve success?  Do you believe that you would be treated fairly under your leadership?  In the simplest terms, would you follow you?  These are questions that I have to ask myself as a leader in ministry and in the corporate workplace.  Over the course of my life I have met and had the privilege of serving under leaders who have been influential in my growth as a Christian, a corporate professional and as a human being.  I have gleaned from the leadership of these influential leaders and added many of their practices to my own style of leadership.  However, I’ve also learned many things working/serving under bad leaders, namely how not to lead.  It sounds funny, but you can learn a lot from bad leaders.  When placed in the similar situations, you can access how you would handle a situation differently.  There’s no doubt that one of the greatest leaders that ever lived was Jesus Christ.   In addition to being the Savior of the world, he set a great example for us to lead with integrity, communicate effectively and inspire followers.  He knew his purpose and was committed to complete the task at hand.

So, why am I writing an article about leadership?  The number one reason why I feel led to write about leadership is to share some of the wisdom that I’ve learned over the years as a leader.  In addition, I also want Christian leaders and those who aspire to be a Christian leader to read this article and sincerely examine their style of leadership and how it impacts their ministry teams and their local church.  This article is not about any particular leader that I’ve met, worked for or served under.  Also, although I have been a successful leader in the corporate industry, in the U.S. Army and in church ministry, I am not assuming that I have “arrived” and have nothing else to learn about improving my very own style of leadership.  Leaders in the body of Christ have a great responsibility to cultivate and equip their teams and serve the church at large.  A leader’s duties go beyond the church doors.  When an unbelieving world cannot find logical answers to life’s problems, they may look to the church to lead them to the One who will lead them to the truth.

Anointed or Self-Appointed? 

Know that you are called to be a leader.  Being a leader is a huge responsibility that carries a great deal of accountability.  Not only to those subject to your leadership, but also to those who may require a need from your ministry.  Being a leader is so much more than the title you possess.  It’s so important to truly know that you are called by God to be a leader.  When you are anointed to serve in a specific capacity, your gifts will bring glory to God, be a blessing to the body of Christ and even plant and water seeds in unbelievers.  However, the opposite can happen if you are self-appointed, or selected for leadership for the wrong reasons.  If God has not called you to lead, it will become very clear just after scratching the surface.  Therefore, pray for God to affirm the calling that he has on your life.

Your Mission, Vision, Values & Strategy

It is very foundational and very important to develop mission, vision, values and strategy for your ministry.  They describe “What do you do?”, “For whom do you do it?” and “How do you excel?”

• Vision: Outlines what the ministry wants to do.
• Mission: Defines the fundamental purpose of a ministry and why it exists.
• Values: Beliefs that are shared among the members of your ministry.
• Strategy: Strategy is a combination of the goals for which the ministry is striving and the guiding principles by which it is seeking to get there.

Cultivating your Team

An old proverb says, “If you think you’re leading and no one is following you, then you’re only taking a walk.” Sometimes, Christian leaders are so focused on the outcome of their ministry and lose focus on the people on their ministry team.  Ask yourself this question… Do you want ministry team members who are influenced by your leadership and God’s calling to serve or do you want admirers who will place you on a pedestal?  At the end of the day, those who are serving with you because they are influenced by godly leadership will be focused on accomplishing the task at hand to glorify God.  Cultivate your team by influencing them to follow you as you are following Christ.   Here’s how you can positively influence your team to follow you:

• Be Fair and Beware of Double Standards:  Life is not fair and sometimes fairness is left to individual interpretation.  I have personally witnessed unnecessary turmoil in ministries because a leader shows favoritism and consistently grants special privileges to the same few team members.  And sometimes, the favorite few are exempt from abiding by the rules that everyone else is required to follow.  If you do not have any spiritual or Biblical justification for treating team members differently, you might be showing favoritism or practicing double standards.  If you feel that God is leading you to grant special privileges to a few (perhaps to individuals who have a specific calling that will edify the ministry and the church), explain this to your team and ask them to trust you.  It may not make everyone happy but at least you’ve laid your cards on the table.  Trust God to deal with the hearts of those who may not accept such a decision.  But remember, if God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11) then neither should we.  James 2:8-9(NLT) says, “yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”  One thing is certain, being unfair and practicing double standards will destroy your credibility and integrity with your ministry team.  It can even hurt members of your team and could cause them to leave your ministry or even your church.  Each team member should feel that you have their very best interests at heart.  Therefore, pray for God to give you wisdom and discernment and to guard you from showing favoritism and practicing double standards.  For a Biblical example of the negative effects of favoritism, read the story of Joseph in Genesis chapter 37.  For a Biblical example of someone practicing a double standard, read about Paul’s confrontation with Peter in Galatians 2:11-21.
• Discipleship:  Encourage your ministry team to grow in their faith corporately and individually.  Also encourage them and to enroll in discipleship training at your church outside of your ministry.  As a leader, you can offer a Bible study for your team members or spend time studying the Bible during your ministry team meetings.  Encourage your team not to always rely upon you to tell them what’s in the Bible and instill in them that they must be accountable for knowing God’s word for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).
• Prayer:  In addition to your individual prayer time, pray with your ministry team during your ministry meetings.  Pray for God’s direction.  Pray for the members of your ministry team.  Encourage your team members to pray for one another.
• Set Clear Expectations:  Each team member should not only know the mission, vision, values and strategy for the ministry in which they are serving, but they should also know the minimum expectations for serving.  For example, they should know regular meeting times, when they are scheduled to serve and their expected contribution to the ministry.  Always set expectations up front so that there is no confusion later.
• Be Available:  Let your ministry team know that you are available and let them know when you are available.  Always be open to listen to team members who may have concerns or ideas on growing the ministry.
• Team Unity:  Work hard to keep the unity on your team.  1 Peter 3:8(NLT) says, “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.”  If you treat your ministry team members fairly, instill discipleship, and set clear expectations it won’t be hard to achieve unity on your team.  But also, make sure your ministry team members respect one another.  Although ministry team members who have common interests may gravitate into groups, beware of cliques that purposely exclude other ministry team members.  If you observe the formation of cliques or the mistreatment of a member of your ministry team, address it immediately in hopes that relationships can be reconciled to regain team unity. 

Lead with Humbleness and Love

Some of the greatest and most influential leaders have the humbleness so serve those who are subject to them.  Jesus was a humble, loving yet strong leader.  He even washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:1-17).  In the corporate world, I’ve encountered leaders who instill fear in order to get the desired results.   Unfortunately, I’ve also witnessed church leaders who use intimidation in the same manner.  1 John 4:18 says, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment…”  Lead your team with the same love and compassion as Jesus led his disciples.  Stay level-headed and avoid arrogance.

Lead with Integrity

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”  Integrity is defined as being consistent in the quality of having high moral principles, being reliable and trustworthy.  Live as a godly example to your ministry team members.  Your team members should observe you living a life that reflects your obedience to Jesus Christ.  As a result, many of your team members will be influenced to do the very same.

Prayer & Studying the Bible

Be sure that you have your own personal time for prayer and Bible study.  Even Jesus retreated to a place of solitude to have prayer by himself (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Matthew 14:22-23).  Pray for God to give you wisdom as you lead and pray for his direction.

Communication

Jesus was one of the greatest communicators ever.  He knew how to communicate with people from every walk of life.  He also communicated with the disciples often in a way that they could understand.   He knew how to communicate with each one of them individually.  He was also able to communicate to large crowds boldly and confidently. John C. Maxwell said, “Great communication depends on two simple skills—context, which attunes a leader to the same frequency as his or her audience, and delivery, which allows a leader to phrase messages in a language the audience can understand. Earn the right to be heard by listening to others. Seek to understand a situation before making judgments about it. Take the emotional temperature of those listening to you. Facial expressions, voice inflection and posture give clues to a person’s mood and attitude. Persuasive communication involves enthusiasm, animation, audience participation, authenticity and spontaneity.”  In addition to this great advice, communicate with grace and respect.  Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Continuous Improvement

Solicit your team for ideas for improving the ministry.  Don’t be afraid to get their perspective of what’s working and what’s not working in the ministry.   You can also ask a more senior leader to be your mentor.  Also, establish relationships with other church leaders and get their advice on leadership ideas.

Create Consistent and Repeatable Processes

Your ministry should be able to function whether you’re present or not.  Create and document and your team’s processes and procedures and make them accessible.  Also, consider using technology to automate processes.

Delegate, Groom Future Leaders and Plan for Succession

In the event that you are no longer the leader of your ministry, plan for succession by identifying and grooming those in your ministry who are capable of assuming greater responsibility.   Likewise, you can also delegate additional responsibility to members of your ministry team so that you don’t burn yourself out.  Also groom ministry team members to be future leaders.  Pray for wisdom in selecting the right ministry team leaders that you might delegate responsibilities to, prepare as a leader or consider for replacing you.

Rest

Sometimes a leader’s work is never done.  Getting rest is crucial to keep your mind and body healthy.  Always take planned time off to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body.  Have a healthy balance between church, work and family.

Luke 12:48 says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  Leadership is such a huge responsibility but it’s also a wonderful privilege.  God is entrusting you with responsibilities that will influence many for his glory.  If you are called by God to be a leader, continue to grow and trust God to guide you as you are guiding others.  Not only will you be blessed, but your ministry team members and your local church will be blessed also.