I am convinced that true leaders are true followers. This may be the first step to the highest level of leadership. Jim Collins calls the highest level of leadership the L5 Level. I think that maybe the first step to that level may be learning to follow. As pastor/leader there are foundational paths that I believe we must follow:

• The Bible as the normative document of the church; (Scripture)
• The invaluable lessons of liturgy and history; (Tradition)
• The God given ability to think and form our theology in the purpose of God; (Reason)
• The call of God that shapes our unique place and shape in life; (Experience)

Every follower can lead. I join the many other writers who agree that leaders are not always born leaders. There are skills that can be gleaned from others to lead. Strategic Leaders require a unique combination of skill and passion. Here are a few skills for strategic leaders:

• A clear vision of where you want to lead.
• An honest and thorough understanding of whom and from where you lead.
• A passion for doing the right thing.
• A trust in those you lead.
• A hunger for knowledge and the humility to be taught or coached.
• A heart for the future that may lead you to a new or renewed vision.

If you always do what you've always done, you always get what you always got. How many times have you heard this mantra? Too often, I bet. Can you imagine what it might be like to go into the office each day, or to meet with a committee and the first words are how can we best meet our vision, rather than what do we do now? There is always resistance to change. At least until we can change the culture to one of creative innovation. Then the desire is to find the best and most efficient way to meet and exceed a vision. It can be done.

Possibilities for Leading

If you would like to know more about the creation of cultures of innovation and leading out of that type of culture, or if you would like to contact Rick concerning training or speaking events, please click here: Rick@jesusandtheblues.com.

This Month's Leadership Thoughts:

Christian Leadership in a Modern World

Servant Leadership

Rick Owen 

            The definition of leadership is as varied as the thousands of books written on the subject.  The modern leader is faced with an overwhelming flood of definitions, quick fixes, and creative explosions of cheese, fish, soul, and the a hundred other mystical concepts of leadership.  The question posed to the church today is "how do we lead as Christians in the world?"  Far too often leadership in secular world of business and government, and to some extent, non-profits leadership is seen apart from one's Christian experience.  At most many leaders of the past took a deistic view of leadership.  James Houston, in his address to the United Bible Societies, "...having a God vaguely acknowledged to exist who needs our support ...is a view that secular business leaders in the western world find immensely appealing to all their instincts as entrepreneurs."[1]  We were, in past, often asked to serve in two worlds; the sacred world of the church and the profane world of business and government.   In the modern and post modern world all that is changing.  What we believe affects what we think and how we lead.  Christian leadership may be the new/ancient creative explosion that will bring leaders beyond to they lead others in a shared fulfillment of life. 

            The first and most important dimension to leading as a Christian is to know the source of the power that gives authority and the energy to lead.  It is a paradox that a true Christian leader must be a sound follower.  Following to lead doesn't sound right, but it feels right.  Unlike Agamemnon who had power and responsibility thrust upon him by birth, or Achilles who attempts to seize power by force Christian leaders discover their power in God.  As Dr. John Harris states in his book, Facilitating Others, "...Leaders realize that they need a power greater than themselves."[2]  A true Christian leader is one whose sound faith in God is the source of their vision, their call, their connection to those they lead, and the achievement of true success.

            Once a leader discovers the source of their power in the resurrected power of Christ, then that leader realizes that they are called to lead.  Dr. Leonard Sweet calls this type of realization being "Summoned to Lead."  He states in his book, Summoned to Lead, "Leaders are neither born nor made.  Leaders are summoned."[3]  All great Biblical leaders received a clear call from God.  Modern leaders in the corporate settings, government leaders on every level, and leaders in non-profit settings must begin to recognize the call of God in their lives to lead as Christians.  God not only calls prophets and preachers.  What greater call can there be than to lead a nation or community in the way of Christ?  What more powerful call can there be than to lead a company to the level of Christian ethics in business and commerce?  What could be more moving than a call to lead the American Heart Association or other non-profits into not just research but transformation of lives and systems? 

A Christian leader hears the call, and responds by catching the vision of Christ for their leadership task. The author of  Proverbs was on the right track when he said that where there is no vision the people perish.  A Christian leader must be ready to answer the call to leadership by responding to the vision that God gives them.  Dr. Harris states, "People cannot achieve what they cannot envision."[4]  Leaders cannot simply lead based on their knowledge of the styles and concepts of leadership, and then generically plug their particular leadership style into the task at hand.  The Christian leader is called to the task with a vision.  That vision allows the leader to focus and direct those who are led to the purpose God has set forth.  A leader in the corporate setting is best served by constant attention to the vision, and being ever ready to revision as the task grows and changes.  Machiavelli encouraged the prince to act out of self interest not vision, and the Borgia family was evidence of how that self indulgence leads ultimately to their own demise.  Without vision that comes from outside oneself a Christian leader can easily fall into the trap of focusing on self rather than the vision.  Robert Kaplan spoke of this danger when examining the truths that Thucydides had stated in the fifth century, and were repeated by Machiavelli, he stated, "...truths such as Morality and patriotism can best be obtained through self interest; Conflict is inherent in the human condition..."[5]  The conflict that arises from that self interest is a direct result of a lack of vision.  Governments and Commercial entities cannot be led by persons consumed by self interest, or the government or the company will be consumed.

The Christian Leader leads from the power of a source beyond him or her self by responding to the call of leadership with vision.  Now the task is to lead.  Christian leaders in any endeavor must connect with those whom they lead.  Even Machiavelli attempted to convince the Prince that he must avoid the disdain of the people he ruled.  He advised, "The good will of the people is a better defense than any fortress."[6]  As self serving as this statement is it is reality.  No leader can lead without a positive connection to their people.  Achilles and Agamemnon both created disharmony.  Agamemnon did so by failing to make the right decisions, and Achilles did so by trying to force his will.  One clear way to make that connection is for a leader to become a true servant leader.  Jesus gave us the greatest example for this style of leadership.  Paul explained this example when he wrote a letter to the Philippians explaining the incarnation.  Jesus coached his disciples in servant-hood throughout the Gospels.  In the Gospel of John the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples (John 12) makes them aware that Jesus is not only willing to teach servant hood, but to embody it with a towel and a basin.  Jesus connected with disciples with his actions as well as his words.  The role of the Christian leader in making that connection is not only leading, but multiplying him or her self for future leadership.  Thus leading becomes empowering rather than focusing in short term success goals. 

The Christian leader is able to communicate the vision they have received from their call to the people they lead.  Dr. Harris states, "Jesus knew ordinary people carry out great things when they commit to a single goal."[7]  The Christian leader must focus on the purpose and vision they have received.  This is not only for the sacred world, but for the profane as well.  No organization, government or business can function if the leader of that community is not clearly focused on the vision, and willing to make a servant commitment to the people they lead. The modern and post-modern world of power and commerce can no longer be disjointed by a myriad of visions.  The vision text from Proverbs was right when it stated that the people perish without vision, but they will also choke to death on too much vision.  Change that comes with the vision of competent servant leader must have purpose and clarity that is communicated with singular concern for the community if it is to be successful. 

This brings us to the final aspect of leading as a follower of Jesus. How does the Christian leader define success?  Success is defined in many ways in the secular world.  The one with the most toys wins, the company with the highest profit margin is best, the government with the most security is favored, or the non-profit with the largest endowment is most successful.  The Christian leader in any organization is called to a success beyond the secular concepts to the profound role of servant leader.  The achievement of that role is summed up in the call of Epistle of John to Love as God Loves.  If a leader can evaluate their leadership role as completing the task set before them with a clear call and vision, and they can empower the people they lead to accomplish the vision all within the love of God.  They have achieved at level beyond corporate reward or high government office.  They have become servants like Jesus.

[1] Is Servant Leadership A Christian Model? James Houston, Vancouver, July 1999, page 2.

[2] John Harris, Facilitating Others:  A Christian View of Leadership, Smokey Road Publications, Alabaster, Al., 2002, 2003, page 21.

[3] Sweet, Leonard, Summoned to Lead, Zondervan Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2004, Page 12.

[4] John Harris, Facilitating Others:  A Christian View of Leadership, Smokey Road Publications, Alabaster, Al., 2002, 2003, page 32.

[5] "The Return of Ancient Times", Robert Kaplan, Atlantic Monthly, June 1, 2000

[6] Machiavelli, The Prince, Bantam Classic, 1981, page

[7] John Harris, Facilitating Others:  A Christian View of Leadership, Smokey Road Publications, Alabaster, Al., 2002, 2003, page 31.