I’ve been tossing this question around quite a bit lately. The definition I’ve landed on (which was influenced by the book I mentioned below, The Lost Art of Leadership) is “accomplishing my dreams and helping others accomplish theirs.” It could also be stated, “to accomplish my goals and develop people.” In past systems and models that I’ve been exposed to, it’s all too clear how oftentimes leaders will use others to accomplish their objectives, regardless if they trample on people along the way. Christ said in Mark 10:44-45, “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (KJV) Perhaps leadership is more of a call to serve than to lead. Richards says this, “Commitment that is demanded is not commitment at all; it is slavery.” I ask the question for you leaders out there; do people feel obligated to serve you, perhaps even forced? In most churches I see that people seem to be serving the ministry, instead of the ministry serving them. Again Richards adds, “Instead of the people becoming the object of our growth, growth becomes the object for which we need the people.” Essentially, people serve because they feel it is necessary for spirituality, acceptance, or approval, and not because they really feel lovingly compelled to do so. We have a saying at Oasis–most churches state that first people have to behave, then they have to believe, and then they’ll think about letting people belong. The Gospel teaches that first you belong (because God died for you), then hopefully you’ll come to believe (because the Gospel is life changing), and lastly we’ll worry about you behaving later. Not that behavior, or service, isn’t important, but I trust that when someone is genuinely receiving life, the by product will be a reliance on God’s ability (grace) to give them the strength and motivation to love others. As Paul said, “It’s the love Christ which compels us.” (Also see Titus 2:11-12) What do you think?
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