What Kind of Leader are You?
Recently, I watched a documentary on Nat King Cole. Nat Cole was a successful composer and accomplished musician and was one of the firsts to have a jazz trio. The King Cole Trio produced rhythmically melodious accord like that era had never heard before.
Nat Cole’s passion was his music but others saw that he had a better future as a solo singer. Coxed by his wife and others in the industry, Nat made the decision to leave the band and become a soloist. It is Nat Cole’s solo career that made him…”UNFORGETABLE”.
Many ministries today remind me of bands that break up because the leader decides or is convinced by those around him that he/she could do much better for the industry of faith by going solo. (we call it the "kingdom of God" but treat it like the "industry" of faith. LOL). Have you noticed the trend? Pastor’s are going on tour now… taking their faith shows on the road.
I have mixed feelings about this because many evangelists are literally "on the road" and should be! Even the Apostle Paul took his “show on the road” and left behind leaders to shepherd the flocks at various cities. He mentored his leaders with his letters. And because Paul went on “tour”, the word of God was preached to both Jews and Gentiles.
But some ministry leaders today take a carnal detour with their purpose for leaving their flocks behind. They don’t build the congregation and leaders in hopes of developing their replacement. Instead, they insincerely design strategies to only live in the NOW. They take no thought of leaving a perpetual legacy of leadership.
Anita Carman, founder and president of Inspire Women and author of the book “Transforming for Purpose”, writes the following in the Houston Chronicle’s blog, titled:
The danger of selfishly ambitious leaders
What I often find is that many leaders struggle with the day to day operations to the point that they lack vision for the future. The idea being, "Let me just get through the operations of the organization for today and let someone else worry about managing the organization tomorrow."
It takes intention and discipline to manage in such a way that we hand over to a successor a solid organization as a platform for greater growth instead of a trench he or she must dig out of, in a rescue mode of operation.
In the book of Philippians, chapter 2, verses 3-4, God's Word teaches the attitude every leader should have. The text reads: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (NIV).
Can you imagine how things would change if the criteria for a leader's success is what he or she hands over to a successor? Would a leader sacrifice so his or her successor can have life better? In the same way, a parent might say, "Let me suffer so life can be better for my children", how many leaders will choose to live disciplined and sacrificial lives for the interests of others?
I agree Anita, I can only imagine if the majority of leaders would consider that their suffering NOW would be best for others in the future. But who wants to suffer???
The Future is NOW!
Friends on BPN, I’d love to hear your thoughts and/or experiences with this topic
Nat Cole’s passion was his music but others saw that he had a better future as a solo singer. Coxed by his wife and others in the industry, Nat made the decision to leave the band and become a soloist. It is Nat Cole’s solo career that made him…”UNFORGETABLE”.
Many ministries today remind me of bands that break up because the leader decides or is convinced by those around him that he/she could do much better for the industry of faith by going solo. (we call it the "kingdom of God" but treat it like the "industry" of faith. LOL). Have you noticed the trend? Pastor’s are going on tour now… taking their faith shows on the road.
I have mixed feelings about this because many evangelists are literally "on the road" and should be! Even the Apostle Paul took his “show on the road” and left behind leaders to shepherd the flocks at various cities. He mentored his leaders with his letters. And because Paul went on “tour”, the word of God was preached to both Jews and Gentiles.
But some ministry leaders today take a carnal detour with their purpose for leaving their flocks behind. They don’t build the congregation and leaders in hopes of developing their replacement. Instead, they insincerely design strategies to only live in the NOW. They take no thought of leaving a perpetual legacy of leadership.
Anita Carman, founder and president of Inspire Women and author of the book “Transforming for Purpose”, writes the following in the Houston Chronicle’s blog, titled:
The danger of selfishly ambitious leaders
What I often find is that many leaders struggle with the day to day operations to the point that they lack vision for the future. The idea being, "Let me just get through the operations of the organization for today and let someone else worry about managing the organization tomorrow."
It takes intention and discipline to manage in such a way that we hand over to a successor a solid organization as a platform for greater growth instead of a trench he or she must dig out of, in a rescue mode of operation.
In the book of Philippians, chapter 2, verses 3-4, God's Word teaches the attitude every leader should have. The text reads: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (NIV).
Can you imagine how things would change if the criteria for a leader's success is what he or she hands over to a successor? Would a leader sacrifice so his or her successor can have life better? In the same way, a parent might say, "Let me suffer so life can be better for my children", how many leaders will choose to live disciplined and sacrificial lives for the interests of others?
I agree Anita, I can only imagine if the majority of leaders would consider that their suffering NOW would be best for others in the future. But who wants to suffer???
The Future is NOW!
Friends on BPN, I’d love to hear your thoughts and/or experiences with this topic
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by A.W. Bowman on
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Back in the 70's there was a New Age mantra, "An idea who's time has come."
For this, the time has come and passed. Now, pray that it is not yet too late to catch the vision.
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Permalink Reply by Minister QGAgnew on
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Thats it in a nutshell,everyone is enticed by others and self promotions to be the creme della creme.that would be awesome,if the only way to promotion,is to leave a legacy of physical proof of hard work, determination of futhering the cause,and the cleansing of hands by appointing successors,and leaving all profits and benefits behind for the stabalization,and guranteed continuation of the church!But being taught as a sociologist,man only conforms to what he sees,or the going on of the present moment!Having recognition in spiritual circles,is more important today,than suffering for the cause,and establishing a faith based foundation,(look how many empty churches are around) that may instill in others hope.You see it here,on BPN,can you imagine how better off things would be if all the zeal expressed here was actually used in the individuals own church,to hold it together,instead of the I AM,syndrone! great post.
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