How do I train my replacement?
Congratulations! You’ve successfully recruited another leader! This is a big deal. Now that you’ve recruited them, the fun is just beginning. Now you get to train them in what it means to do what you do. Here are 5 steps to get you there (Taken from Community Christian Church in Chicago, IL):
Step 1: I do, you watch, we talk.
· Let the new person observe as you work. After words, meet with them and talk about any questions they have and be sure to explain again the vision behind what you are doing.
Step 2: I do, you help, we talk.
· Let the new person help in the work you are doing. This may require extra planning on your part to figure out how they can fit in. Again, after it’s over, meet with them to answer any questions they have, cheer them on, and gently correct them if they erred in some way.
Step 3: You do, I help, we talk.
· This is where they take the bulk of the work but you help in the process. Again, meet to break it down, encourage, correct if needed, and encourage some more.
Step 4: You do, I watch, we talk.
· The robin leaves the nest. You watch as this person does the entire role. Again after it’s over, encourage, debrief, and encourage some more.
Step 5: You do, someone else watches, you two talk.
· In other words, the cycle begins again. Once this person you have trained is ready to go, encourage them from day one to find a replacement to train in this position. REMEMBER: WE NEVER HAVE “ENOUGH” WORKERS ANYWHERE!
Have you ever felt like it was all on you? Have you ever felt like if you weren’t there something wouldn’t get done? Have you ever felt like there are people around you who want to help, but you don’t feel like their ready? Have you ever felt like you couldn’t trust anyone but yourself?
I hate to say this, but that’s probably your own fault. I’ve been there. I’ve felt like if I don’t show up, it wouldn’t happen. The reason being is that I didn’t spend enough time developing the leaders around me and giving them opportunity to grow. Many folks feel really honored that you would see leadership potential in them. However, most folks feel as though they don’t have it in them and feel really intimidated at the possibility of leadership. So how do you develop leaders?
The first thing you have to do is prayerfully identify potential leadership. Once identified, the most effective and recommended way to recruit is through one on one vision casting. There is DEFINITELY a time and place for the senior pastor to stand in front and cast vision for volunteering and the need for people to serve spiritually. (Note: that is different from a pastor standing up and begging the congregation for 5 people to serve in the nursery.) However, to effectively recruit a leader, you need to sit down with someone one on one and cast the vision for why they should lead.
This part is fun. Don’t sit down and say, “Hey, we need leaders and you’re not doing anything so you should step up before God smites you!” Rather, sit with them and share with them the way God is speaking to you about that person. Share with them the growth and development spiritually that you’ve seen in their lives and celebrate that with them. Then, cast the vision for what you’re trying to accomplish, not the need you need filled. In other words, don’t say, “we need children’s workers” but “God has called us to impact the lives of children for Jesus Christ every week. We know that 100 years from now the only thing that will matter is a child’s relationship with Jesus. Would you join us on this journey to see these children’s lives transformed by Jesus?” I’m not a big fan of working with kids personally, but if someone came to me all passionate and laid something like that on me, it’d be tough to turn down.
Who is God bringing to mind right now that you need to pray for and recruit?
I hate to say this, but that’s probably your own fault. I’ve been there. I’ve felt like if I don’t show up, it wouldn’t happen. The reason being is that I didn’t spend enough time developing the leaders around me and giving them opportunity to grow. Many folks feel really honored that you would see leadership potential in them. However, most folks feel as though they don’t have it in them and feel really intimidated at the possibility of leadership. So how do you develop leaders?
The first thing you have to do is prayerfully identify potential leadership. Once identified, the most effective and recommended way to recruit is through one on one vision casting. There is DEFINITELY a time and place for the senior pastor to stand in front and cast vision for volunteering and the need for people to serve spiritually. (Note: that is different from a pastor standing up and begging the congregation for 5 people to serve in the nursery.) However, to effectively recruit a leader, you need to sit down with someone one on one and cast the vision for why they should lead.
This part is fun. Don’t sit down and say, “Hey, we need leaders and you’re not doing anything so you should step up before God smites you!” Rather, sit with them and share with them the way God is speaking to you about that person. Share with them the growth and development spiritually that you’ve seen in their lives and celebrate that with them. Then, cast the vision for what you’re trying to accomplish, not the need you need filled. In other words, don’t say, “we need children’s workers” but “God has called us to impact the lives of children for Jesus Christ every week. We know that 100 years from now the only thing that will matter is a child’s relationship with Jesus. Would you join us on this journey to see these children’s lives transformed by Jesus?” I’m not a big fan of working with kids personally, but if someone came to me all passionate and laid something like that on me, it’d be tough to turn down.
Who is God bringing to mind right now that you need to pray for and recruit?
My wife and I paid my truck off this week! Losing a car payment is a big deal and helps in the old pocketbook. Now the plan is to drive my truck until the wheels fall off. I do not want another vehicle payment anytime soon. The key to keeping the truck up and running as long as possible is preventative maintenance – changing the oil, regular tune ups, taking it in to get looked at if it starts acting up, etc. It seems obvious, but ignoring those things can lead to my truck literally blowing up and ceasing to work completely.
As leaders – especially spiritual leaders – we have to do ‘preventative maintenance’ in our lives as well. I saw an interview this week that Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte did with Ted Haggard. The interview was extraordinary, very moving. Haggard talked about how he knew he had sin issues in his life, but kept it secret for fear of losing his ministry and marriage. He advises us that if we have a secret in our life, it will have power over us until it no longer becomes a secret. If it’s a secret sin, God wants to get that out of our lives and wants it to come to light – either the easy way (we confess it to someone else) or the hard way (what happened to Haggard).
Essentially, Haggard is calling for preventative maintenance (which he wishes he would have done). Just like my truck, if there are problems with my truck that arise and I ignore them, disaster is immanent. In our own lives spiritually, we are headed for disaster if we do not take seriously the power sin can have in our lives – and do something about it.
Furtick closes the message by telling his church that he prays that he would “lead you well, finish well, and walk with integrity.” I like that. The only way that happens is through ‘preventative maintenance’ of the soul.
What preventative maintenance needs to be done in your life today?
As leaders – especially spiritual leaders – we have to do ‘preventative maintenance’ in our lives as well. I saw an interview this week that Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte did with Ted Haggard. The interview was extraordinary, very moving. Haggard talked about how he knew he had sin issues in his life, but kept it secret for fear of losing his ministry and marriage. He advises us that if we have a secret in our life, it will have power over us until it no longer becomes a secret. If it’s a secret sin, God wants to get that out of our lives and wants it to come to light – either the easy way (we confess it to someone else) or the hard way (what happened to Haggard).
Essentially, Haggard is calling for preventative maintenance (which he wishes he would have done). Just like my truck, if there are problems with my truck that arise and I ignore them, disaster is immanent. In our own lives spiritually, we are headed for disaster if we do not take seriously the power sin can have in our lives – and do something about it.
Furtick closes the message by telling his church that he prays that he would “lead you well, finish well, and walk with integrity.” I like that. The only way that happens is through ‘preventative maintenance’ of the soul.
What preventative maintenance needs to be done in your life today?
Several months ago now, I was going about my day when I felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to pray for a friend of mine. So I stopped what I was doing and offered up a rather brief prayer for this friend out of obedience to God. After a few minutes, I felt very strongly that I needed to call this person and talk to them. So I did. When they answered the phone we had some pretty average conversation, until I asked him, “How are you doing?” To which he replied, “Not good, I lost my job today.” At that point it became fairly obvious why the Holy Spirit put him on my heart.
Now, the point of this post comes after the fact. I got off the phone and to be honest, was pretty proud of myself for following the prompting of the Holy Spirit and felt very ‘pastoral’ in that moment. My next thought was, “I need to tell __________ this story.” At that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a very different way, asking me a very simple, but pointed question: “Why?” Why did I want to tell other people about this? Was it because I was genuinely concerned about my friend and his hardship, or did I want to impress everyone with my ‘sensitivity’ to the Holy Spirit? I hate to say this, but I think it was the latter.
God is continually teaching me humility in all areas of my life. Just when I start to feel proud of how humble I’m becoming, God slaps me around a little bit and I realize once again how much Matt apart from Christ flat out sucks.
The point is, what’s your motivation? If God asked you to do something huge for Him, but you couldn’t tell anyone and you’d never get recognition, would it still be as exciting a task? One of my life’s goals is to make the answer to that question a resounding ‘yes’ every time.
Now, the point of this post comes after the fact. I got off the phone and to be honest, was pretty proud of myself for following the prompting of the Holy Spirit and felt very ‘pastoral’ in that moment. My next thought was, “I need to tell __________ this story.” At that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a very different way, asking me a very simple, but pointed question: “Why?” Why did I want to tell other people about this? Was it because I was genuinely concerned about my friend and his hardship, or did I want to impress everyone with my ‘sensitivity’ to the Holy Spirit? I hate to say this, but I think it was the latter.
God is continually teaching me humility in all areas of my life. Just when I start to feel proud of how humble I’m becoming, God slaps me around a little bit and I realize once again how much Matt apart from Christ flat out sucks.
The point is, what’s your motivation? If God asked you to do something huge for Him, but you couldn’t tell anyone and you’d never get recognition, would it still be as exciting a task? One of my life’s goals is to make the answer to that question a resounding ‘yes’ every time.
I was talking to my man Grant this week. He and I have been friends since day 1 of college and have been basically best friends since. We talk about our own spiritual journeys with one another and challenge one another’s leadership. One of the things that is becoming more apparent in our conversations is basically what separates the real leaders from the posers: follow through.
The majority of leaders in the world can come up with solid strategies or innovative ideas. The difference is actually following through on those ideas and making them reality. That’s hard. The reason it’s hard is because it requires discipline and work. It’s a lot more fun to daydream and analyze about what we should do or what could be than to put in the hard work to make the changes that we need to make.
The same is true personally. It’s a lot of fun to talk about reading the Bible or praying, but when it’s time to do it, many folks struggle. Just like it’s a lot of fun to talk about bench pressing 300 pounds or running a marathon, but when the alarm goes off at 5:00 am to begin training, well, it doesn’t seem as fun or exciting.
The point is as leaders we don’t have to be great. We can plug along and live with status quo. If that’s the case, then we should shut up about greatness and stop dreaming, because it’s simply a waste of time. For the rest of us, dreaming and strategizing is just the beginning. To be great requires more than just desire, it requires action and discipline to stick with the game plan until we see the dream become reality.
The majority of leaders in the world can come up with solid strategies or innovative ideas. The difference is actually following through on those ideas and making them reality. That’s hard. The reason it’s hard is because it requires discipline and work. It’s a lot more fun to daydream and analyze about what we should do or what could be than to put in the hard work to make the changes that we need to make.
The same is true personally. It’s a lot of fun to talk about reading the Bible or praying, but when it’s time to do it, many folks struggle. Just like it’s a lot of fun to talk about bench pressing 300 pounds or running a marathon, but when the alarm goes off at 5:00 am to begin training, well, it doesn’t seem as fun or exciting.
The point is as leaders we don’t have to be great. We can plug along and live with status quo. If that’s the case, then we should shut up about greatness and stop dreaming, because it’s simply a waste of time. For the rest of us, dreaming and strategizing is just the beginning. To be great requires more than just desire, it requires action and discipline to stick with the game plan until we see the dream become reality.
“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth…for he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:3-7 & 12c)
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30)
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15)
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30)
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15)
I recently saw a movie where one of the characters was a high profile business man in charge of hundreds of people. He had a huge salary, a beautiful home, and drove a BMW. He was a leader. In the movie, he decides that he’s tired of leading so he quits his job and gets hired on as a cashier at a local fast food restaurant. When he’s interviewing he says, “I want the least amount of responsibility possible. I especially don’t want anyone reporting to me.”
If you’re in leadership, it’s inevitable that you’ll have days where you feel like doing exactly what he did. I had a friend who’s a staff pastor. Recently the senior pastor called in all the staff to let him know that he was leaving – out of the blue. He was exhausted and simply burned out. Those stories are sad, but unfortunately happen often.
So what do we do as leaders to avoid exhaustion? Here are some tips I know work (even if I don’t stick to them the best myself from time to time):
· Take good spiritual care of yourself. You have to lead yourself before you can lead others. This is especially true spiritually. Spend time daily communing with God through the Bible and through prayer.
· Take good physical care of yourself. Eat right, sleep right, and exercise right.
· Create margin in your schedule. If you feel like you’re stuck in the rat race, stop doing so much. Write down all of the roles and responsibilities you have in order of importance on a sheet of paper and stop doing the last 4 or 5. Shameless BridgeWay plug: check out ‘How to be Rich’ – Creating Margin message for good stuff here - great message (series) by Dale.
· Have fun and don’t take yourself so seriously.
There are about 500 other things you can do, but this will help you on your journey to being an excellent leader.
If you’re in leadership, it’s inevitable that you’ll have days where you feel like doing exactly what he did. I had a friend who’s a staff pastor. Recently the senior pastor called in all the staff to let him know that he was leaving – out of the blue. He was exhausted and simply burned out. Those stories are sad, but unfortunately happen often.
So what do we do as leaders to avoid exhaustion? Here are some tips I know work (even if I don’t stick to them the best myself from time to time):
· Take good spiritual care of yourself. You have to lead yourself before you can lead others. This is especially true spiritually. Spend time daily communing with God through the Bible and through prayer.
· Take good physical care of yourself. Eat right, sleep right, and exercise right.
· Create margin in your schedule. If you feel like you’re stuck in the rat race, stop doing so much. Write down all of the roles and responsibilities you have in order of importance on a sheet of paper and stop doing the last 4 or 5. Shameless BridgeWay plug: check out ‘How to be Rich’ – Creating Margin message for good stuff here - great message (series) by Dale.
· Have fun and don’t take yourself so seriously.
There are about 500 other things you can do, but this will help you on your journey to being an excellent leader.
I was reading through 1 Kings the other day. If you’ve never read 1 Kings, it’s basically a recap of the kings of Israel and Judah from a few thousand years ago. It’s pretty interesting and there is some excellent leadership lessons dispersed throughout.
One guy in particular really jumped out at me. His name was Abijah and there is very little written about him in 1 Kings. What is written about him is very telling however: “He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord this God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.” (1 Kings 15:3)
I found this really interesting. Rather than go into detail about the way this guy lead the people, the author simply wrote that his heart was not fully devoted to God – enough said.
This made me wonder about my own heart. I mean, when my days as a leader end, and people have to write a one sentence summary about my heart what will they write? More than that, as God looks at my heart right now, what does he say about it? Does He compare me with followers of Jesus gone by who were lukewarm about their faith? Is there prevalent sin in my life that He needs to deal with? Does He see me as a man after His own heart as He saw David?
I hope it’s the latter, and I’m going to do all that I can to make sure it is. What about you? What would God say about your heart?
One guy in particular really jumped out at me. His name was Abijah and there is very little written about him in 1 Kings. What is written about him is very telling however: “He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord this God, as the heart of David his forefather had been.” (1 Kings 15:3)
I found this really interesting. Rather than go into detail about the way this guy lead the people, the author simply wrote that his heart was not fully devoted to God – enough said.
This made me wonder about my own heart. I mean, when my days as a leader end, and people have to write a one sentence summary about my heart what will they write? More than that, as God looks at my heart right now, what does he say about it? Does He compare me with followers of Jesus gone by who were lukewarm about their faith? Is there prevalent sin in my life that He needs to deal with? Does He see me as a man after His own heart as He saw David?
I hope it’s the latter, and I’m going to do all that I can to make sure it is. What about you? What would God say about your heart?
One of the biggest myths out there is that of a ‘self made man/woman.’ Everyone is mentored or influenced by at least one person. While that influence may not be face to face, it can come through books, seminars, conferences, blog posts, etc. If there is no one in your life mentoring you, there needs to be.
A great story about mentorship comes out of 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam has just become king and is wondering how he should lead. Solomon, the prior king, put a ‘heavy yoke’ on the people and Rehoboam is wondering if he should do the same or change up his approach. So Rehoboam wisely consults his elders. They advise him to ‘be a servant to the people’ (v. 7). This was good advice. However, verse 8 is problematic – “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him…” Rather than listening to those who were wiser than he, Rehoboam rejected their advice. Even worse, Rehoboam then went to his childhood friends (who had no clue what they were talking about) and asked them for advice. Their advice? Make the yoke even heavier from what Solomon prescribed. They even insinuated that Rehoboam should make Solomon look like a wuss compared to what he’s going to do. What happened? The kingdom rebelled and Rehoboam was literally running for his life at one point. Not exactly an ideal way to begin your reign as king.
In our lives, there are times when we need advice. In fact, leadership demands that we ask for advice and seek council. Every day as a leader is a new day. You face new challenges, new scenarios, and even new people. Through these times we will need to keep learning and keep growing. Find a mentor in your life that you can call regularly for advice. I have one that I talk to regularly who gives me great insights and challenges me as a leader.
Who’s mentoring you?
A great story about mentorship comes out of 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam has just become king and is wondering how he should lead. Solomon, the prior king, put a ‘heavy yoke’ on the people and Rehoboam is wondering if he should do the same or change up his approach. So Rehoboam wisely consults his elders. They advise him to ‘be a servant to the people’ (v. 7). This was good advice. However, verse 8 is problematic – “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him…” Rather than listening to those who were wiser than he, Rehoboam rejected their advice. Even worse, Rehoboam then went to his childhood friends (who had no clue what they were talking about) and asked them for advice. Their advice? Make the yoke even heavier from what Solomon prescribed. They even insinuated that Rehoboam should make Solomon look like a wuss compared to what he’s going to do. What happened? The kingdom rebelled and Rehoboam was literally running for his life at one point. Not exactly an ideal way to begin your reign as king.
In our lives, there are times when we need advice. In fact, leadership demands that we ask for advice and seek council. Every day as a leader is a new day. You face new challenges, new scenarios, and even new people. Through these times we will need to keep learning and keep growing. Find a mentor in your life that you can call regularly for advice. I have one that I talk to regularly who gives me great insights and challenges me as a leader.
Who’s mentoring you?
I’m standing on the brink of a big achievement in my life; earning my Master’s Degree. I actually finished up class yesterday. I have to go out to Jersey next week and give a presentation on Saturday, but on Sunday I get to walk across the stage and receive my diploma. I’m excited about being done with all of the assignments, group projects, daily online posting, etc., but I’m really more excited to share this experience with my family.
My nature in dealing with this kind of stuff is to essentially climb one mountain and from the peak of that mountain look forward at all of the other things I have to do, rather than look backwards at how far I’ve come. I really think this is a personality flaw. There’s nothing wrong with hard work and planning, but there is something wrong with not taking a moment to celebrate major life moments.
I love Luke chapter 15 in the Bible. It talks about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Even more common was the fact that all three were found, and upon being found a huge celebration took place. When the son was found, the proud father said, “We HAD to celebrate…”
One of my favorite Rob Bell quotes is something to the effect of “the church has nothing to say to the world until it can throw better parties.” I love that. There is so much good that happens in our lives that we don’t celebrate. We HAVE to celebrate, God’s been so good to us. When you hit those life moments that are just incredible, stop, thank God, and throw a huge blowout party celebrating what God had done for you. So, celebrate good times, come on! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist)
What’s God done for you that you HAVE to celebrate?
My nature in dealing with this kind of stuff is to essentially climb one mountain and from the peak of that mountain look forward at all of the other things I have to do, rather than look backwards at how far I’ve come. I really think this is a personality flaw. There’s nothing wrong with hard work and planning, but there is something wrong with not taking a moment to celebrate major life moments.
I love Luke chapter 15 in the Bible. It talks about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Even more common was the fact that all three were found, and upon being found a huge celebration took place. When the son was found, the proud father said, “We HAD to celebrate…”
One of my favorite Rob Bell quotes is something to the effect of “the church has nothing to say to the world until it can throw better parties.” I love that. There is so much good that happens in our lives that we don’t celebrate. We HAVE to celebrate, God’s been so good to us. When you hit those life moments that are just incredible, stop, thank God, and throw a huge blowout party celebrating what God had done for you. So, celebrate good times, come on! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist)
What’s God done for you that you HAVE to celebrate?
I’m about an ‘every other season’ American Idol watcher. When I get into the show from day one, I love it. If I don’t come in until halfway through, I can’t get into it. I don’t know why, I just can’t. The reason the beginning episodes are so great is because they feature some of the worst ‘singers’ on the planet. I mean, to use the word singer is disrespectful to singers everywhere, but you’ve seen the show, you know what I mean.
What kills me is that these folks get done butchering ‘I Will Survive’ and stand there shocked that they were terrible. What’s even more amazing is that the family members of this person encourage him or her to go out and audition for this show. Why would you throw your family member to the wolves like that? There are three reasons I can think of: 1. You genuinely think this individual can sing because you’re incredibly tone-deaf or are blinded by some kind of irrational love. 2. You hate this individual and take pleasure in seeing them get berated on national television. Now, I really think both of those situations are as unlikely as the third option: 3. You really don’t think this person can sing, but you don’t have the ‘heart’ to tell them that they can’t. For whatever reason, you can’t pull the trigger to tell this family member they can’t sing and you think that having four strangers laugh in their face is a much better option.
It seems pretty cruel when you look at it that way; that’s because it is! Many times as leaders we operate the same way. We like to think things are going smoothly and people are telling us they are, but they’re really not. Just like the tone deaf auditioners from American Idol, we too must face the brutal facts: things are not ok. We have to look at the organizations or entities we are in charge of and make difficult decisions for the benefit of the organization, rather than for the benefit of our own comfort.
Confronting the brutal facts is hard, but it’s way easier than waking up one day getting blasted by an ornery Englishman.
What kills me is that these folks get done butchering ‘I Will Survive’ and stand there shocked that they were terrible. What’s even more amazing is that the family members of this person encourage him or her to go out and audition for this show. Why would you throw your family member to the wolves like that? There are three reasons I can think of: 1. You genuinely think this individual can sing because you’re incredibly tone-deaf or are blinded by some kind of irrational love. 2. You hate this individual and take pleasure in seeing them get berated on national television. Now, I really think both of those situations are as unlikely as the third option: 3. You really don’t think this person can sing, but you don’t have the ‘heart’ to tell them that they can’t. For whatever reason, you can’t pull the trigger to tell this family member they can’t sing and you think that having four strangers laugh in their face is a much better option.
It seems pretty cruel when you look at it that way; that’s because it is! Many times as leaders we operate the same way. We like to think things are going smoothly and people are telling us they are, but they’re really not. Just like the tone deaf auditioners from American Idol, we too must face the brutal facts: things are not ok. We have to look at the organizations or entities we are in charge of and make difficult decisions for the benefit of the organization, rather than for the benefit of our own comfort.
Confronting the brutal facts is hard, but it’s way easier than waking up one day getting blasted by an ornery Englishman.
The biggest temptation for a leader varies leader to leader. I think for pastors, one of the biggest temptation is to view the people around you through the lens of how they serve the church vs. the lens of who they are as a person. Sometimes we are so anxious to get someone involved in ministry or a volunteer hole filled that we forget that we’re actually dealing with a person and not just a slot filler. Even worse, sometimes we want to fill a leadership role so badly that we put someone into leadership who’s not ready to be there. In the church world, that is an error that can have significant, eternal negative consequences.
One of the things I love about BridgeWay is that we understands the connection between spiritual growth and leadership development. Leading in the church is one of the best ways to grow spiritually. That doesn’t mean you should do it for that reason – calling, skill sets, spiritual seasoning, etc. all play a critical role. However, if you feel led to lead God wants to use that position to help you grow as a person.
When it comes to leading, it’s not enough to lead the 1, 5, 10, 100 people underneath you, you have to lead yourself and your family first. To lead you have to be developed all the way around as a person. To lead well requires a wholeness of person that allows you to grow spiritually, as well as in your leadership ability.
God continually challenges me personally as a leader. Sometimes, when I ask God to make me a better leader, He points out what is wrong with me personally. When I address that my leading inevitably improves.
What areas of your life is God challenging you to improve so that you may experience ‘wholeness’ of spiritual development and leadership growth?
One of the things I love about BridgeWay is that we understands the connection between spiritual growth and leadership development. Leading in the church is one of the best ways to grow spiritually. That doesn’t mean you should do it for that reason – calling, skill sets, spiritual seasoning, etc. all play a critical role. However, if you feel led to lead God wants to use that position to help you grow as a person.
When it comes to leading, it’s not enough to lead the 1, 5, 10, 100 people underneath you, you have to lead yourself and your family first. To lead you have to be developed all the way around as a person. To lead well requires a wholeness of person that allows you to grow spiritually, as well as in your leadership ability.
God continually challenges me personally as a leader. Sometimes, when I ask God to make me a better leader, He points out what is wrong with me personally. When I address that my leading inevitably improves.
What areas of your life is God challenging you to improve so that you may experience ‘wholeness’ of spiritual development and leadership growth?
One of Jesus’ most famous parables is the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The story is about a guy who leaves his money to three servants. One servant he gave 5 talents, another he gave 2 talents, and a third he gave one talent. The Bible says each was given ‘according to his ability’. By the time the master had returned, the servant with 5 talents had doubled it to 10 and the guy with 2 talents had doubled it to 4. However, the guy with one talent had buried it to ensure it wouldn’t be lost. The master was well pleased with the first two guys but furious with the third. He was so furious in fact, that he called the servant “wicked” and “lazy” (v. 26).
One of the biggest realizations in my life has been that this parable is about people who follow Jesus. That means me. That means that I fall into one of those three categories. That means God entrusts me with things that fit according to my trustworthiness. Frankly, that scares me. I mean, I think everyone wants to be the guy with the 5 talents who doubles it to 10. I certainly do. I want to do everything I can to change the world for Jesus. What scares me is the realization that I might end up being the guy with 2 talents, or even worse ‘wicked and lazy.’
God trusts us with big things when he can trust us with the small things. One of my daily prayers is a prayer of thanks for all that God has entrusted me with: my relationship with Him, my beautiful wife, my precious son, a position at a local church that I love, a staff I get to serve with that is second to none, and a church that I absolutely adore that is hungry to reach people for Jesus – and is, not to mention countless other relationships that I'm thankful for. As I look at that list, there is so much there that God is trusting me with. My job is to be faithful and effective to that task, not wicked and lazy.
What is in your life that God has entrusted to you? How are you doing managing those things?
One of the biggest realizations in my life has been that this parable is about people who follow Jesus. That means me. That means that I fall into one of those three categories. That means God entrusts me with things that fit according to my trustworthiness. Frankly, that scares me. I mean, I think everyone wants to be the guy with the 5 talents who doubles it to 10. I certainly do. I want to do everything I can to change the world for Jesus. What scares me is the realization that I might end up being the guy with 2 talents, or even worse ‘wicked and lazy.’
God trusts us with big things when he can trust us with the small things. One of my daily prayers is a prayer of thanks for all that God has entrusted me with: my relationship with Him, my beautiful wife, my precious son, a position at a local church that I love, a staff I get to serve with that is second to none, and a church that I absolutely adore that is hungry to reach people for Jesus – and is, not to mention countless other relationships that I'm thankful for. As I look at that list, there is so much there that God is trusting me with. My job is to be faithful and effective to that task, not wicked and lazy.
What is in your life that God has entrusted to you? How are you doing managing those things?
Initiative is something that all 'natural born' leaders have. Some people refer to this as being a ‘self-starter.’ You have within you something that propels you to do or to start or to accomplish. It’s not motivated by anything else other than your desire to do it. It’s motivation that comes from within.
When my wife and I were first married, we lived in a house that was just over 800 sq. feet. It was pretty tiny. Our kitchen was also our dining room and also our laundry room. It wasn’t much, but it was home and really it was perfect for us. Well, in that house it was obvious when things weren’t clean because you could almost see in every room from every room. I remember having been married a month or so and sitting at the breakfast table. I looked up and in front of me sat one of the biggest piles of laundry I had ever seen. No joke, it was probably about four feet tall and three feet in diameter. That’s a pretty ridiculous amount of clothes for two people. I sat there pretty irritated. I mean, why hadn’t the laundry been done? Sure my wife and I never talked about who would do laundry in our relationship, but it’s a given that surely someone should do it if it needed to be done. The more I thought about it, the madder I got.
After about 2 minutes of needless seething, I realized that the logic I was applying to my wife also applied to me. It was a moment like “Hey moron, if you want clean clothes then do some laundry!” I’m pretty harsh with myself. But, the inner me made a good point, and since that time I have applied this idea of initiative to my own life.
God continually challenges me in this area of leadership. It seems like when I think I have a full plate or when I’m doing a lot, God calls me to start something else. I’m learning though, that it’s a real honor to work for God and when He calls me to do something it’s because he trusts me enough to carry it through. My prayer is that God will continue to call all leaders to new initiatives and to go through life making a difference for Jesus in everything they do – whether that’s laundry or something more important.
When my wife and I were first married, we lived in a house that was just over 800 sq. feet. It was pretty tiny. Our kitchen was also our dining room and also our laundry room. It wasn’t much, but it was home and really it was perfect for us. Well, in that house it was obvious when things weren’t clean because you could almost see in every room from every room. I remember having been married a month or so and sitting at the breakfast table. I looked up and in front of me sat one of the biggest piles of laundry I had ever seen. No joke, it was probably about four feet tall and three feet in diameter. That’s a pretty ridiculous amount of clothes for two people. I sat there pretty irritated. I mean, why hadn’t the laundry been done? Sure my wife and I never talked about who would do laundry in our relationship, but it’s a given that surely someone should do it if it needed to be done. The more I thought about it, the madder I got.
After about 2 minutes of needless seething, I realized that the logic I was applying to my wife also applied to me. It was a moment like “Hey moron, if you want clean clothes then do some laundry!” I’m pretty harsh with myself. But, the inner me made a good point, and since that time I have applied this idea of initiative to my own life.
God continually challenges me in this area of leadership. It seems like when I think I have a full plate or when I’m doing a lot, God calls me to start something else. I’m learning though, that it’s a real honor to work for God and when He calls me to do something it’s because he trusts me enough to carry it through. My prayer is that God will continue to call all leaders to new initiatives and to go through life making a difference for Jesus in everything they do – whether that’s laundry or something more important.
Integrity is a word that we often throw around, especially in the church world, but don’t really dialogue much about until someone’s integrity fails. I was at a leadership conference in August and one of the leaders there spent some time dialoguing about integrity. He said integrity means that you are ‘whole;’ meaning that you are the same person everywhere no matter who’s around.
I actually had an integrity challenge this week (not surprising since I seem to have them daily). I had purchased some items for BridgeWay out of my own pocket and needed to be reimbursed for the expenditures. At the time I purchased the items for BridgeWay, I also purchased some items for personal use. I turned in the receipts and highlighted the items for which I needed to be reimbursed. Later that day I received my reimbursement check. I noticed that it was about $15 higher than it should have been. I had been reimbursed for everything that I had purchased, including my personal items.
This was a weird moment, because in all honesty it froze me. It took me a moment to realize what happened. At first I thought I did poor math and was $15 off in my assessment of my purchases for the church. I realized that my original math was right and I needed to give back the check and get the check cut for the proper amount – which I did.
Even as I’m writing this I’m thinking, ‘c’mon Matt, it’s only $15!’ I’m not telling this story to show how saintly I am, but to make a pretty simple point. As leaders, we can’t let something as dumb as $15 stand in the way of our wholeness as a person. There is no way I could have accepted that money and remained whole in front of my peers. Before you can show integrity in the big things in life, you have to show it in the small things. Consider that ‘integrity practice’.
If the cost of my integrity is $15, I’m in the wrong profession anyway.
I actually had an integrity challenge this week (not surprising since I seem to have them daily). I had purchased some items for BridgeWay out of my own pocket and needed to be reimbursed for the expenditures. At the time I purchased the items for BridgeWay, I also purchased some items for personal use. I turned in the receipts and highlighted the items for which I needed to be reimbursed. Later that day I received my reimbursement check. I noticed that it was about $15 higher than it should have been. I had been reimbursed for everything that I had purchased, including my personal items.
This was a weird moment, because in all honesty it froze me. It took me a moment to realize what happened. At first I thought I did poor math and was $15 off in my assessment of my purchases for the church. I realized that my original math was right and I needed to give back the check and get the check cut for the proper amount – which I did.
Even as I’m writing this I’m thinking, ‘c’mon Matt, it’s only $15!’ I’m not telling this story to show how saintly I am, but to make a pretty simple point. As leaders, we can’t let something as dumb as $15 stand in the way of our wholeness as a person. There is no way I could have accepted that money and remained whole in front of my peers. Before you can show integrity in the big things in life, you have to show it in the small things. Consider that ‘integrity practice’.
If the cost of my integrity is $15, I’m in the wrong profession anyway.
It has been about a month since the last Friday Leadership Post. Since that time, life is drastically different for me. My wife and I didn’t travel for the holidays for the first time in our relationship due to her due date being so close to holiday time. This is a small thing but pretty huge at the same time, as all couples know. Along with that on January 7, we were blessed to welcome into the world our son Warrick Alan Robinson at 7lbs 15 oz and 19 inches long. It’s only been 9 days, but we already couldn’t imagine our lives without him.
It’s an odd thing when your ‘normal’ changes. Dale and I were talking about this last week that there are moments in life when such a significant moment takes place (good or bad) that your whole world changes. Those moments are odd feeling, ongoing, and whether you like it or not, you have to live with it. Having a baby, getting married, completing a long process of schooling, getting a new job, moving, losing a loved one, losing a job, losing a friend, a painful divorce, etc.
Everyone crosses a bridge like this at some point in his life. In moments like these it is important to realize where you need to put your energy as a leader. Leading is like a pendulum that swings between your leadership obligations in the world and your leadership obligations at home. There are times when you have to put your energies into the work side of things, and other times when you need to focus your energies at home. When your ‘normal’ changes personally, that’s the time to spend at home helping your family adjust to a situation.
I love my son and we are so blessed to have him. I’m also blessed to be able to take time away from my leadership post at BridgeWay to help walk my family through this transition. Leadership starts at home and ends at home. Make sure you’re always leading your best at home first.
It’s an odd thing when your ‘normal’ changes. Dale and I were talking about this last week that there are moments in life when such a significant moment takes place (good or bad) that your whole world changes. Those moments are odd feeling, ongoing, and whether you like it or not, you have to live with it. Having a baby, getting married, completing a long process of schooling, getting a new job, moving, losing a loved one, losing a job, losing a friend, a painful divorce, etc.
Everyone crosses a bridge like this at some point in his life. In moments like these it is important to realize where you need to put your energy as a leader. Leading is like a pendulum that swings between your leadership obligations in the world and your leadership obligations at home. There are times when you have to put your energies into the work side of things, and other times when you need to focus your energies at home. When your ‘normal’ changes personally, that’s the time to spend at home helping your family adjust to a situation.
I love my son and we are so blessed to have him. I’m also blessed to be able to take time away from my leadership post at BridgeWay to help walk my family through this transition. Leadership starts at home and ends at home. Make sure you’re always leading your best at home first.
Have you ever asked someone to do something because you didn’t want to do it? I remember as a kid feeling like this is where the majority of chores from my parents originated. They saw a task they didn’t want to do and would ask (and by that I mean tell) me to do it. Now that I’m older, I understand that they were really not as concerned about the task as they were about instilling in me work ethic, the value of an honest day’s work, etc.
What about as a leader? Have you ever asked someone to do something that you didn’t want to do? Anyone who has ever had an intern serve under them probably has done this. I’ve asked my interns to clean out church vans, do research on portable baptisteries, pick up lunch, etc. All tasks that needed to be done and were important on some level, but stuff I really didn’t want to do.
When it comes to leading volunteers or a small group, the ball game is different. They can walk whenever they want. They don’t have to show up. What keeps them coming back (aside from God’s call on their life) is the fact that they feel valued and they feel part of a team. This requires us as leaders to model the way. This means don’t ask people to do something you’re not willing to do. Don’t tell everyone how important a service project is and then not show up. Don’t talk to people about the importance of prayer and never pray. Don’t ask someone to clean a bathroom while you stand and watch. Plus, that would be weird anyway.
The point is, as a leader anyone who is following you is a gift from God. God has entrusted you with this person or these people. He wants you to model the way spiritually, physically, and in whatever other way your leadership requires. Modeling the way is what all Godly leaders do, especially Jesus. Jesus valued everyone and modeled the way for them to live. So should we.
What about as a leader? Have you ever asked someone to do something that you didn’t want to do? Anyone who has ever had an intern serve under them probably has done this. I’ve asked my interns to clean out church vans, do research on portable baptisteries, pick up lunch, etc. All tasks that needed to be done and were important on some level, but stuff I really didn’t want to do.
When it comes to leading volunteers or a small group, the ball game is different. They can walk whenever they want. They don’t have to show up. What keeps them coming back (aside from God’s call on their life) is the fact that they feel valued and they feel part of a team. This requires us as leaders to model the way. This means don’t ask people to do something you’re not willing to do. Don’t tell everyone how important a service project is and then not show up. Don’t talk to people about the importance of prayer and never pray. Don’t ask someone to clean a bathroom while you stand and watch. Plus, that would be weird anyway.
The point is, as a leader anyone who is following you is a gift from God. God has entrusted you with this person or these people. He wants you to model the way spiritually, physically, and in whatever other way your leadership requires. Modeling the way is what all Godly leaders do, especially Jesus. Jesus valued everyone and modeled the way for them to live. So should we.
I think every leader has soapboxes they get on. For me, it’s listening. There’s nothing that ticks me off when I’m talking to someone and I know they’re not listening. The other day, someone was talking to me and I was checking out hard core – I mean, I can’t remember a word they said. About half way through this, I recognized my hypocritical nature and apologized to the guy.
I started wondering “Why don’t we listen to people/interrupt people”? Here are the conclusions my research and thoughts have brought me to:
1. We are genuinely disinterested in what this person has to say.
This is pretty common. If someone comes in and drones on and on about the same thing, I lose interest and stop listening. Some people are (or consider themselves) ADHD and use it as an excuse to stop listening. Either way, I would think it would be considered rude.
2. We are genuinely disinterested in the person talking.
We don’t care about what this person is saying because we don’t care about this person. It sounds pretty harsh to say that, but I think if we could replay the tapes of certain people talking to us, we would probably agree.
3. We think we know what they’re going to say.
We typically interrupt people or stop listening because we think we know what they’re going to say. Sometimes we’re right, sometimes not, but either way, it’s pretty rude.
4. We think we’re smarter than they are.
This is why I don’t listen sometimes. Someone’s talking and I think I know more, so I stop listening. This is something that God has majorly checked me on and put me in my rightful “Matt-you’re-an-idiot-and-the-quicker-we-both-recognize-that-the-better-life-will-be” place.
5. We think what we have to say is more important than what they’re talking about.
This allows us to disengage and begin our own line of thinking. Or, this allows us to interrupt them and start talking about what we want to talk about. Again, a little on the rude side.
Ultimately, my belief is that not listening/interrupting goes back to humility. If we ever think that there are people in life we cannot learn from, are genuinely disinterested in, or feel as though we are smarter than, we are in desperate need of humility. As leaders, listening is crucial. We’re all busy, but taking time to listen can make or break your leadership.
I started wondering “Why don’t we listen to people/interrupt people”? Here are the conclusions my research and thoughts have brought me to:
1. We are genuinely disinterested in what this person has to say.
This is pretty common. If someone comes in and drones on and on about the same thing, I lose interest and stop listening. Some people are (or consider themselves) ADHD and use it as an excuse to stop listening. Either way, I would think it would be considered rude.
2. We are genuinely disinterested in the person talking.
We don’t care about what this person is saying because we don’t care about this person. It sounds pretty harsh to say that, but I think if we could replay the tapes of certain people talking to us, we would probably agree.
3. We think we know what they’re going to say.
We typically interrupt people or stop listening because we think we know what they’re going to say. Sometimes we’re right, sometimes not, but either way, it’s pretty rude.
4. We think we’re smarter than they are.
This is why I don’t listen sometimes. Someone’s talking and I think I know more, so I stop listening. This is something that God has majorly checked me on and put me in my rightful “Matt-you’re-an-idiot-and-the-quicker-we-both-recognize-that-the-better-life-will-be” place.
5. We think what we have to say is more important than what they’re talking about.
This allows us to disengage and begin our own line of thinking. Or, this allows us to interrupt them and start talking about what we want to talk about. Again, a little on the rude side.
Ultimately, my belief is that not listening/interrupting goes back to humility. If we ever think that there are people in life we cannot learn from, are genuinely disinterested in, or feel as though we are smarter than, we are in desperate need of humility. As leaders, listening is crucial. We’re all busy, but taking time to listen can make or break your leadership.
Mark Driscoll is a church planter in Seattle, and he describes the leadership of Jesus in three ways: Jesus the Prophet, Jesus the King, and Jesus the Priest.
Jesus has a pretty good reputation, and deservedly so. He had a grasp of what was going on around him that was simply amazing. He understood people, their needs, and what they needed to hear when they encountered him. Jesus was extremely kind hearted to those whom society hated. He let the little children come to him when his disciples thought it a bad idea. He didn’t function under the norms of society, but rather through the norms of the Kingdom of Heaven. He loved the outcasts, the sinners, the diseased, the children, and even women (who at that time were basically seen as pieces of property). Jesus was ‘full of compassion and abounding in love.’
This is the call for leaders as well. I think we’ve all seen pastors like this; pastors who seemed to just walk around and ooze compassion for everyone. As Christian leaders, we are called to function like Jesus in this way. There’s a reason why Jesus was prophet, King, and priest, because he held all of these in check with one another. Jesus showed very little compassion to the religious rulers of the day, but overwhelming compassion for the outcasts of society. Why? Because Jesus knew that the Pharisees didn’t need compassion, but to hear the truth. He also knew that for the outcasts of society to hear the truth, they must be shown compassion. More than that, Jesus was genuinely compassionate for those whom society had written off. Showing this compassion comes naturally for some and requires a lot of prayer for others.
Who are you leading right now that you know you need to show more compassion towards? Who are you leading that you know doesn’t need compassion, but needs to hear the truth?
Jesus has a pretty good reputation, and deservedly so. He had a grasp of what was going on around him that was simply amazing. He understood people, their needs, and what they needed to hear when they encountered him. Jesus was extremely kind hearted to those whom society hated. He let the little children come to him when his disciples thought it a bad idea. He didn’t function under the norms of society, but rather through the norms of the Kingdom of Heaven. He loved the outcasts, the sinners, the diseased, the children, and even women (who at that time were basically seen as pieces of property). Jesus was ‘full of compassion and abounding in love.’
This is the call for leaders as well. I think we’ve all seen pastors like this; pastors who seemed to just walk around and ooze compassion for everyone. As Christian leaders, we are called to function like Jesus in this way. There’s a reason why Jesus was prophet, King, and priest, because he held all of these in check with one another. Jesus showed very little compassion to the religious rulers of the day, but overwhelming compassion for the outcasts of society. Why? Because Jesus knew that the Pharisees didn’t need compassion, but to hear the truth. He also knew that for the outcasts of society to hear the truth, they must be shown compassion. More than that, Jesus was genuinely compassionate for those whom society had written off. Showing this compassion comes naturally for some and requires a lot of prayer for others.
Who are you leading right now that you know you need to show more compassion towards? Who are you leading that you know doesn’t need compassion, but needs to hear the truth?
Mark Driscoll is a church planter in Seattle, and he describes the leadership of Jesus in three ways: Jesus the Prophet, Jesus the King, and Jesus the Priest.
When I hear the work King, I think of, well, basically the Burger King King. I think of an old wise looking man who is decked out in the latest fashions of the 1500’s who sits on the gold throne waiting for someone to refill his goblet. This is not an accurate depiction of Jesus the King. Jesus the King is a king of details. When we talk about Jesus being king, it often means that he is king of our lives. It means he sits on the throne of our hearts and controls everything about us, all the details of our lives. This is important. Anyone who has Jesus on the throne of their lives vs. just simply following Jesus knows there is a huge, important distinction between the two.
So what does it look like for us to be kings? We have no authority to sit on the throne of anyone’s life, nor should we attempt to do so. What a leadership ‘king’ does is to figure out the details. People who are natural ‘kings’ are people my generation would describe as ‘anal retentive.’ These are people who are obsessed with systems, policies, and procedures all in the name of effective, efficient organization. I’m all for that, in fact I’ve got some king in me naturally. For any leadership position to function effectively, we all have to either be kings to some degree or surround ourselves with kings. In small groups, this means putting the ‘kings’ of your group in the role of Food Coordinator or Get off the Couch Week Coordinator. These people rock at organizing that kind of stuff. This also means tracking attendance (by name, not simply number) to your church or group and knowing who you need to follow up with. These are just some examples, but you get the gist.
Though the details aren’t always the most fun aspect of leadership, they are a crucial aspect – in fact, one Jesus cared about deeply.
When I hear the work King, I think of, well, basically the Burger King King. I think of an old wise looking man who is decked out in the latest fashions of the 1500’s who sits on the gold throne waiting for someone to refill his goblet. This is not an accurate depiction of Jesus the King. Jesus the King is a king of details. When we talk about Jesus being king, it often means that he is king of our lives. It means he sits on the throne of our hearts and controls everything about us, all the details of our lives. This is important. Anyone who has Jesus on the throne of their lives vs. just simply following Jesus knows there is a huge, important distinction between the two.
So what does it look like for us to be kings? We have no authority to sit on the throne of anyone’s life, nor should we attempt to do so. What a leadership ‘king’ does is to figure out the details. People who are natural ‘kings’ are people my generation would describe as ‘anal retentive.’ These are people who are obsessed with systems, policies, and procedures all in the name of effective, efficient organization. I’m all for that, in fact I’ve got some king in me naturally. For any leadership position to function effectively, we all have to either be kings to some degree or surround ourselves with kings. In small groups, this means putting the ‘kings’ of your group in the role of Food Coordinator or Get off the Couch Week Coordinator. These people rock at organizing that kind of stuff. This also means tracking attendance (by name, not simply number) to your church or group and knowing who you need to follow up with. These are just some examples, but you get the gist.
Though the details aren’t always the most fun aspect of leadership, they are a crucial aspect – in fact, one Jesus cared about deeply.
