Leadership can be isolating. We can have a “silo” mentality where we focus on the ministry or group we lead, to the exclusion of the rest of the Church of group.
It’s one thing to be a leader IN the Church, where we lead a particular ministry or team. It’s quite another thing to be a leader OF the Church, where we see the broader impact of our leadership in the Church.
Let me give you a sporting example of what I mean. When I played rugby at school, I played at lock forward. One of my key roles as a member of our forward pack was to tackle hard. I was a better defender than I was an attacker so I would try to lead the pack in defence – land a few good tackles on the opposition’s key players. It could get the rest of our forwards motivated to also muscle up. I once went a whole season where I averaged touching the ball once per game because my role was principally to tackle in defence and “ruck & maul” in attack. I loved my role. I enjoyed being part of the forwards and I enjoyed doing my part. However, the flipside was that I didn’t focus enough on my role when we were attacking. As a result, on occasion, I let the team down because I wasn’t looking at my role in the bigger picture.
Similarly, in Churches we can be really focused on our conduct and efforts when we are servng in our own ministry but be less aware of our influence in the wider body.
But, let’s state a simple fact – When we are a leader in the Church, people are looking to our lead across the Church.
If you are a Youth Group leader, you’re not just leading on Friday night. The wider Church is looking to your example on Sunday and other days. You are not just a leader in the Church. You’re a leader of the Church.
Similarly, if you’re a leader in Worship Ministry or Kids Ministry, your influence on the Church extends far beyond just those ministries.
I see the impact of this concept in 3 ways:
- First, you set the culture of the Church. More important than the goals we set is the culture we create. Goals come and go but culture lasts. Early in my leadership journey, I was focused on the goals to be kicked. However, the culture created was unhealthy. While the goals were kicked, people were hurt and burnt out. Alternatively, if we get our culture right, the goals follow. The key creators of culture in an organisation are the leaders – they set the tone. If the leaders model certain behaviours, others follow. So, it’s important that we rejoice in the responsibility we have to create the right culture. I know of a Church that was planted 50 years ago. At the first prayer meeting in the Church, 2 leaders got into such a heated argument that one challenged the other to step outside for a fight. That culture of toxic conflict has continued in that Church. On the other hand, I know of a Church that was planted 25 years ago which set the culture from the start of genuine love for God’s people. Even now, having grown to a Church of over 3000 people, there is still a culture of love and concern there. In short, the culture we set now will still be felt by people in 20 to 30 years’ time. Think about the culture you want to see and live it out. Others will follow.
- Second, you demonstrate what we accept. Similar to the first point but still a little different, leaders demonstrate what we are willing to accept from people. Craig Groeschel has said that leaders set the “minimum standard.” To put it negatively, if we exhibit bad behaviours, others will think that we think that’s ok for the Christian life. Alternatively, if we are showing an honest, real desire to live the Christian life in authentic community, that is the standard we set. Being honest about living out the Biblical mandate is so crucial. For example, if we are busy about Church life but don’t show loving care for one another, then we set a standard that doing stuff is more important than people. One very recent example of this came up at NightChurch recently. At the end of the service, a few of us had to leave quickly and we were rushing to get everything locked up. One of our young people saw that and jumped in to take that task from us. He had already had a big day of ministry and commitments and yet his generosity in that moment showed a love for others and a concern for people that was a model for others. What is the standard you’re trying to set for others?
- Third, you model that ministry is about more than the Church. As a Church, we keep reinforcing that the most effective form of evangelism and outreach is done outside the four walls of Church services and programs. It is best done on the frontline of our lives. As leaders, we model that. If the sum of our Christian ministry is done in the Church, we are saying that is most important. However, if we can model our own frontline ministry and share stories of how we see God on our frontline, we show people that our focus is on equipping people to live for Jesus wherever they go, not just in Church. So, here’s a prayer for you, “Father, help me see Jesus on my frontline.”
Bill Hybels is right when he says, “Everyone really does win when a leader gets better.’ And one of the key ways in which a leader can improve a wider group, rather than just the area we lead, is by seeing that we are leaders OF the Church, rather than just IN the Church. Your conduct, your heart for people, your willingness to keep short accounts with others and strive to live in a God–honouring way, will all contribute to a growing healthy culture that brings glory to God and equips people for ministry wherever they go.
God said to the Israelites, “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)
Father, we desire to see your Church grow and your people equipped to live for Jesus wherever they go. We desire to see a culture in our Church that honours you and points people to Jesus. We pray that Your Holy Spirit will work in us to take the Faith Steps we need to take to make that a reality. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.