Dan Czaplewski posted on March 18, 2009 10:47
I’m at a conference. I had to fly to get here. For me, that always means that I get to read. I finished Paul D. Borden’s Book, “Direct Hit.” The subject of the book is leading transformation in a congregation.
Borden’s thoughts on leadership got me thinking. Most people who speak and write on the topic of leadership note how critical a leader is for an organization’s success and even survival. That raises a question for me: how is a leader in a Christian entity also a disciple of Christ? Maybe the inverse of that question is equally important: how can a leader lead a Christian entity if he or she is NOT a disciple?
Stated simply, if I am to lead, I must first follow. A disciple is one who follows; a disciple of Jesus follows Jesus. That realization is important for all of us who are called to lead in Churches and Christian Schools.
I believe there is also an element of leadership that applies to all disciples. All who follow Jesus are called to lead as well. You may be a leader in your family, a leader to your children, a leader to those around you who are hurting, a leader to those in your circle of friends who need to know the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As you follow Jesus, people around you recognize the flame of faith that burns in your heart. You are also seen as a representative of Jesus to those around you. People look to you to lead and the quality of your leadership is determined by the degree to which you follow Jesus.
Following Jesus for me can’t be like the way I do my professional reading; I can’t wait for a time when I am held captive in an airplane. I don’t travel nearly enough. Following Jesus for me is about spending time with Him every morning. Talking to Christ in those moments between when the alarm rings and the snooze alarm rings, structured prayer time each day, a personal Bible reading plan, and time spent discerning Christ’s direction in my life.
So, be the best follower you know how to be and be open to how God will use you to lead.