The characteristics of a leader are found in the actions, attitude and authentic voice used to be the change in the world they want to see. Creating change by positive influence, spiritual intimacy and personal humility rather than force, tone of voice and illusional entitlement is what should be a focus of every individual on the race – regardless of “title”.
To often we let what we do, shape who we are. And who we are usually comes from our shallow understanding of who we think we should be for those around us. Providing a related context that is usually only as globally sound as the zip code of reference from which it came.
In most cases a false self focusing on the acceptance, approval and acknowledgement of others as an identity is what shapes us, rather than listening to The Voice from within that shouts.. “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine”.
“How we view ourselves at any given moment may have very little to do with who we really are.” – Gerald May
Rest in the fact that God desperately desires our hearts to be closer to Him with every breath we take. Which may mean redefining who you think you are. Not always the most comfortable or welcomed process, but infinitely the most rewarding.
You were bought with a price that no man can pay and there is nothing you can do or will ever be able to do to earn the gift of being Abba’s Child.
Whether you consider yourself a “leader” or a “racer” within the institution AIM/WR don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the traditional definitions of “identity” (i.e religion, Christian, believer, follower, leader, racer..etc). This approach may restrict what’s possible in your life due to limited references and finite understanding of the “role” as He intended.
God is infinitely bigger than anything we could ever “fully” comprehend. And that will never change.
The below is an attempt to expose my failures and reflective insights about leadership plateaus, pitfalls and peaks that create, shape and give voice to the target of performance, expectation and pride that most often get in the way of leading and being led.
As you read, I hope the following opens hearts, releases false identities and lifts expectations for past, present and future racers, leaders and individuals who seek being understood from a place of understanding.
By no stretch of the imagination does this mean I have “it” figured out (whatever it is). But I can tell you that I have failed – alot. Which also means I’ve learned – a lot. Which is the most important to me. And the best thing to do with the most important things in life is to give them away. So freely I share my failures with hopes that you can succeed in a way that brings you closer to Him and hopefully with less pain. I pray there is something in this for you.
For the sake of reference, I’ve used common AIM/WR titles, words and phrases so please set aside any preconceived notions about the words used and focused on the world behind the words as you read. Listen with an open heart for the attitude, actions and authentic voice behind the words and find the leader within.
Tips for Leaders:
This race is not about how well you “think” you can lead, but rather how well you can listen. Listen to the Voice that has called you to this place of “leadership” and lead from your knees – always. For this battle is not yours and your not meant to do it alone. I know, being a leader can be a lonely place of constant internal analysis, self deprecation, frustration and countless misunderstandings. It’s all there to shape not a leader, but a servant attitude that makes a leader worth following.
I once read a quote “..don’t look behind you to see who is following you before you declare yourself a leader.”
A leader is someone who sees qualities in others and supports, encourages and challenges those around them to grow towards their God given gifts while leading by example.
Acknowledge that its not about you, how well you do or don’t do and understand that you are only a steward of your gifts not a savior. The gift is your team/community and a year of missions for a lifetime of ministry with Him.
“… prayer has more to do with listening than talking.” I believe the same is true with leadership.
A leader must be willing to listen and focus on outcomes that open doors, hearts and minds to the fertile ground of The Father. Not what’s best for me (as a leader), but what Is He saying in this moment?
A leader must also be willing to go to “tough places” and face the challenges, harsh truths about self and break through bondage in order to get to a place where God can change you and use your change to change others.
Be open, expectant and hungry for change. Change is growth unknown.
Everything from belief systems, personal doctrine and identity will be challenged in life.
Allow yourself the privilege of seeing you as others see you and let the Holy Spirit convict, convince and (re)create you – not the impostor within.
If you ever get to a point to where your afraid to let go of this position, the team or the title of leadership, please do yourself a favor and ask for help. In order to be a leader who “listens to The Voice” we have to be obedient not obsessive. Be wiling to allow change to happen. If you are holding on to tight to your expectations of who you, the team or the ministry should be you’ve missed the point of the mission and replaced it with your point of preference. It’s not about you!
You don’t have to have an answer for everything. It’s ok to admit that you don’t know something or that your wrong. Frankly, I’ve learned that others appreciate someone who admits wrong or seeks understanding from others when they don’t know. It makes you more human and less perfected (or less of an impostor).
Rarely is someone who “know’s it all” fully understood or appreciated. Unless your God you don’t know it all so don’t pretend to be God or know everything and life will be less demanding and more appealing because you to have someone to go to for answers other than yourself.
Don’t ask others to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.
Your not a Savior, your a steward. It’s your role to identify with others pain, not to relieve it.
If you want to experience change, allow others to be a part of the change.
God has equipped “leaders” (you) with equipment (your team) for His glory – us it. Don’t try to do everything on your own. And give God all the glory.
Your not always right and that’s a good place to be. It means there is always something new to learn about yourself, others and the world around you.
Don’t be so prideful that you refuse to look at yourself as a cause for help (prayer). It’s ok to not be ok. Don’t stress or worry about being good at everything or equipped for the task of leading, He will do the equipping and the leading – you just follow.
In the case of your leadership within this program, your not expected to out perform, earn or excel at anything. So admitting “I’m wrong” or “I don’t know” doesn’t mean your a bad “leader”. This kind of transparency should be a regular occurrence in a community of believers. The body should come together and support this personal vulnerability and internal growth which will hopefully lead to team trust and intimacy.
When we disobey the prompting of being vulnerable within a community we disregard the presence of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit within the community. Intimacy within community of committed believers is one thing that will prepare you for life with a Triune God, marriage and family as it was intended.
Don’t be afraid to let others in, it’s cute (yeah, I said it…)
Remove pride from it’s mantle and redefine “leadership” from your knees and not from your needs.
Your need to be looked up to, your hidden cave for glorification, your secret desire to always being right, your thirst for always having the answer(s), your interest in always being in front, and your desire to have the team function as you “feel” it should will suffocate the team and minimize the impact you have on others. Leave this burden at the cross… you were not meant to bear it.
Relax God is in control!
Tips for Racers:
This race is not about you or how well you think your “leader” is doing. At the end of the day we are all people who need encouragement to let go of certain fears, anxieties and frustrations that are keeping us from becoming who we are called to be. The body should be a safe place to admit this and get help.
It’s helps when you are around believers who support you and not slander you in becoming more of whom you were created to be.
Without change (growth) there is no reference for how far you’ve come. Accept change with open arms and learn to be flexible for the sake of The Father and where He wants you to be.
Consider how different life would be if everyone around you thought like you, would you learn anything? So be grateful for those around you who don’t think, act or breath like you. They are a blessing. They are Christ.
Realize that we all handle brokenness the same way, we mishandle it. So give grace 77 x 7 times to get to a place where your finally experiencing what the Son has done for you.
All relationships ebb and flow.
Breakdown’s lead to break throughs so press in and don’t give up – He didn’t.
Everyone has a story.
Don’t allow yourself to be distraction from the very attraction that brought you to this place. Choose into Christ in the community.
Look into the eyes of the ones who are the hardest for you to like, and see the One you love.
Love, be loved and never stop learning.
Encouragement goes a long way when your in a foreign country, someone is yelling at you in a foreign language and your out of Nutella. Be an encourager.
11 months goes by faster than you think, be present for every moment and record everything. You will look back and be blessed continually.
Tips for Community:
Nothing is yours.
Your team will possibly be the few people on earth who understand you when this is over.
Don’t be too fragile, too offend-able, too sensitive, too holy or too cynical.
“Beware of no one more than yourself. We carry out own worst enemies within us.” Charles C. Spurgeon
“Ministry is sharing, not dominating; understanding, not theologizing; caring, not fixing.” – Brennan Manning
Today is the tomorrow you were worrying about yesterday, so stop worrying.
Don’t wait until you feel like doing the “right” thing before you do the “right” thing. (ex forgiving, loving, listening, helping..etc.)
Authentic encouragement is the sweetest sound to anyone.
Don’t be so sensitive to hearing the messenger that you miss listening to the message.
Forgiving (and asking for forgiveness) is the fastest way to a release of the Spirit, love and answered prayers
Trust is paramount and must be built from another persons frame of reference.
“It’s a greater compliment to be trusted than to be loved” – George McDonald
The wounds you have received have come to you for a purpose from one who knows all you are meant to be and fears you. Don’t let the enemy bring division amongst your team through defilement (gossip) and learn that confrontation is only a bad thing when approached with the wrong motives, expectations or convictions.
Public correction is not a good thing. Some people prefer being corrected in private 1 on 1…figure that out and others will respect you because you respect them
The one who falls in love with his/her dream of community will destroy it (however earnest their intentions), but the one who loves those in the community will create community.
A loss of identity happens when we become so heavily oriented around the expectations of others that we become more and more like them and less and less like who He created us to be.
Personally, I think the transition from “leader” to “racer” is something every participant of the race should have the privilege to grow into. It/s a transition of humility, favor and wisdom through submission and obedience.
Be blessed…
3
