I have told my children that we do not choose to be leaders. We are chosen. Anyone who has ever spent time in an authoritarian position truly knows what I am talking about. Suddenly those who have called you friend are now asking for favors based on their relationship with you rather than working to get the job done. So-called friends begin to expect you to accommodate their needs and desires without regard to how it will affect you and your responsibilities. Do they do it because they do not care? Personally I believe it is mostly out of ignorance than anything else. They just do not know better nor wish to learn about someone else’s situation and responsibilities.
Heb 5:2 (NLT) And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses.
There are only three pillars to leadership in my humble opinion. They are:
- A leader leads
- A leader is just
- A leader looks for other leaders because they know they cannot do it alone
Many of us fail with the third pillar of leadership. By delegating responsibility to others we risk losing control. We risk losing the power we think we have over others. Power is an illusion. Control is an illusion. The only one in control is God.
A Shepard is not in control of his flock. He is given the responsibility of caring for them and putting his own wants and needs second. Some of the sheep will misbehave and wander off. Some will rebel and cause discontent with others. Some for a while will acknowledge the Shepard’s authority as long as it suits them. Few will give themselves to the Shepard knowing that by doing so their protection is guaranteed.
Sheep without a Shepard; what possible outcome can there be? In my observation it appears that more and more fellow Christians want a message each Sunday that God is nice, you are nice so everything is nice. Heaven forbid that our pastors are allowed to preach the truth.
This year I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the Real Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA. There Pastor Johnny Hunt stated, “We do not need to fire our pastors. We need to help get them fired up.” I agree yet I too have failed my pastor in doing so.
What about you?
