John 13:35 says, “your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
As a leader, this dynamic changes a little bit. People won’t just know you based on how you love. But they will also know you by how your team loves. How your followers pursue Jesus. How your organization serves each other.
We had a team leader day last month. At the end we spent time encouraging each other and calling out each other’s strengths. More than one compliment I received was based on how my team loves…not based on my own performance but as a whole how they push when they need to push and how they step back when they need to step back….a wonderful display of having a genuine balance in serving Christ. We know how to have fun. But we also know how to get down to business. How much greater it made me feel to be complimented based on my team’s performance and dynamic rather than my own.
Not only do they love others well. But they love me as a leader as good or if not better than any ministry team out there.
I’ve been in countless leadership positions in school, in church, and in the business world…but never have I felt this much support.
Last month, they surprised me with letters of encouragement from each of them. I haven’t read them all yet as I want to savor them as much as I can but I thought I’d surprise them with this blog post.
So now that I have served with them for 3 months I want to introduce you to my team…a team that I am really starting to KNOW and LOVE on all levels and in no particular order are they listed here 🙂
Meet Kathryn
She brings so much wisdom to the table. She is also an awesome treasurer for the team. She may be a “J” but she knows not to worry when our budget doesn’t balance perfectly. Kathryn is a person who will process something internally and then give you the best insight you could ever think of or say the best prayer you have heard. Her laugh is contagious and so is her smile. Her knowledge of the Bible and where things are is completely mind-blowing. I wish I had that knowledge. She is teaching me how important that is to discover and know. Her feedback hurts so good like her massages because she is so genuine. She is always willing to do the most mundane tasks…and she does it with complete joy.
Brooklynn
She is always willing to question me when she is unsure of the decision I made. To many leaders this might seem annoying. But quite honestly it is something I need as I often make quick decisions to ensure that we continue making progress. This keeps me in check and ensures that we as a team can make the best decision possible in the situation. If I still go with mine she loves and supports me through it…whether she agrees with it or not. Her example there is the sign of a good leader and is a discipline I’ve struggled with for years. She is teaching me how to give grace and how to support someone else’s decision even if it may not be the best one.
Elaine
Never before have I had somebody who fits so well in my blindspot. She is usually the one who will pull me aside and give me feedback…not out of frustration or disappointment, but out of love. I know she wants me to be successful as a Leader and as a follower of Christ. She is always willing to give me a hug or a shoulder when she knows I’m stressed or upset because she knows it’s my love language. She is a wonderful worship leader who truly has been given a gift and ability to bring a crowd into God’s holy presence. She has such a calm spirit that helps me so much in leading. It takes away a lot of the pressure and stress and empowers me to stay in the moment and stay focused on the prize. She is teaching me how to leave room for the Holy Spirit in ministry and in everyday life.
Alyssha
She’s the only extrovert on the team but she fits in so perfectly. She loves God so deeply and this shows in our ministry and our team time. She will fight to push through anything and I never doubt her trust in the Lord. She has asked some of the deepest probing questions this year that have challenged us all to grow deeper in Christ. When I struggle to find the time to figure out how to bring the group deeper in our relationship with Christ she is always there to bail me out…whether she knows it or plans it or not. She is teaching me how to lead but to never lose sight of the reason as to why I am here.
Matt
He is a true servant. One who is always willing to jump in and serve without the need for affirmation or a pat on the shoulder. Always willing to ask if I need help…no matter what it is. I can even remember at training camp when I barely knew him and amidst the stress of the market training simulation he was maybe the only person who came up to me and asked “Is there anything I can do to help.” This is also reflected in his willingness to be open and free with the trials, tribulations, and temptations he faces. I knew from the beginning that I would need his support this year…to hold me accountable when times are tough and to support me when I need picked back up again. He is teaching be how to serve without recognition…which in itself is half of what it means to be a “servant leader.”
Zach
is somebody I barely knew at training camp. But I knew he was full of light and joy and I knew that was something I would desperately need as a leader. Therefore I asked for him to be put on my team. Outside of that I didn’t really know much about him and didn’t do a good job of seeking him out at training camp. But I knew I felt led to ask for him to be on my team and that is something that has been affirmed every day on the race. Honestly, Im not sure I have had this much fun in years. He works his butt off but has fun doing it. And I think that is something every leader needs on his team. He is an awesome man of God who is always conscious about the people around him and how they are feeling. When I’m down he always seeks me out and finds ways to encourage me and build me up. At the end of the day, yeah we want to get things done as efficiently as possible. Yeah I should lead my team and we should get as much accomplished as we can. But sometimes love and joy are the two best ministry tools you can have. People respond to it and want to be a part of it. In this Zach is teaching me how to lead with Love and Joy.
I always felt like building a team was about fulfilling a mission and getting things done. Never before have I discovered how important it is to also have a team that supports you as a leader. Support doesn’t mean they do whatever you say. Support means they love you. The build you up when you are down. They give you feedback when you can improve. They give you grace when you are wrong. They stick with you when you have to make a tough decision. They never complain about you to others.
Think of how much weight the disciples lives carried in reflecting Jesus. They didn’t always do it perfectly…but at the end of the day they simply loved Jesus, they loved each other, and they loved others.
This year I thought I would somehow learn in my team leader position how to be a good executive pastor someday as “2nd in charge”. Instead they are the ones teaching me what it looks like to lead from 2nd chair.
PS:
To my team…I wrote this before we got to Bolivia. I love you guys very much!
