In Mark 1:32-39 everyone including the 12 disciples wanted Jesus to set up a perpetual healing ministry in Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. We see instead that He led the disciples in another direction and they followed: “Let us go somewhere else … for that is what I came out for.”
The shepherding care aspect of Jesus’ healing ministry captured the people. They expected he would continue to do that for them and he instead revealed another important part of his ministry, leadership. In Romans 12:8, Paul introduces us to this with the word proistemi, meaning to “put before, to set over, to rule”. This verse goes on to tell us that the person who has this ability is to do so diligently, meaning they are to persevere with zeal. Our churches need shepherds who will love on them and care for them and even “lead” them into other places and contexts where they can be cared for more. However, our churches also need someone who will truly lead them to new places beyond themselves, places they have never been before. That is the difference between shepherding and leading.
The shepherding care aspect of Jesus’ healing ministry captured the people. They expected he would continue to do that for them and he instead revealed another important part of his ministry, leadership. In Romans 12:8, Paul introduces us to this with the word proistemi, meaning to “put before, to set over, to rule”. This verse goes on to tell us that the person who has this ability is to do so diligently, meaning they are to persevere with zeal. Our churches need shepherds who will love on them and care for them and even “lead” them into other places and contexts where they can be cared for more. However, our churches also need someone who will truly lead them to new places beyond themselves, places they have never been before. That is the difference between shepherding and leading.
I think a leader is born (gifted), made (refined by life experience), and usually has a triggering event of calling (like a burning bush!). A leader must possess three things:
1. A sense of direction for a group of people.
2. The ability to speak about that direction to the group.
3. The ability to motivate the group to want to go in that direction.
Marcus Buckingham (added to my recommended list on the left) says that leaders rally people to a better future and give them confidence by turning the fear of the unknown into trust in the future. Life will go on day to day with chicken broth and our people will feel cared for. In the growing church, they also need the crabmeat of leadership so they know where they are going and want to go there.
1. A sense of direction for a group of people.
2. The ability to speak about that direction to the group.
3. The ability to motivate the group to want to go in that direction.
Marcus Buckingham (added to my recommended list on the left) says that leaders rally people to a better future and give them confidence by turning the fear of the unknown into trust in the future. Life will go on day to day with chicken broth and our people will feel cared for. In the growing church, they also need the crabmeat of leadership so they know where they are going and want to go there.
No comments:
Post a Comment