Are you a problem solver? A real ‘get-things-done’ kinda gal?
Most Type A leaders tend to be problem solvers. It’s your stellar problem-solving skills that earned you the influence and bestowed upon you the title.
And let’s face it, ministry is messy. Almost every time you turn around, there is a problem to be fixed or a mess to be cleaned up. And you’re the gal everyone is looking to to make it happen.
Leadership is a weighty responsibility, one to be approached with great care. However, leaders can often confuse their influence with the power to actually fix people.
As church leaders, my husband and I have been faced with individuals who viewed us as “the answer” to the problems our church was facing.
I had one woman tell me my husband and I had to stay at our church at least long enough to “fix” it. We weren’t actually planning our exit, but it’s good to know what the parameters are!
Comments likes these can lull a leader into a false (and prideful) sense of control. Because of the voices I was hearing, I had to lean in closer to make sure I was listening to God’s voice.
God reminded me through His Word, that I am not smart enough, entertaining enough, talented enough or experienced enough to bring about real spiritual change. (Ezekiel 37:4-10)
Acknowledging no real power to “fix” anyone can cause leadership paralysis and endless second guessing, or it can move us into deeper dependence and faith.
My attention was turned to the beggar at the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3.Though the beggar was lame, he experienced God’s healing through Peter and John. Acts 3:9-10 says,
“All the people saw him walking and praising God and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate….”
Leadership paralysis and second guessing comes when we’ve moved from a position of humble beggar in need of God’s intervention to an upright, self-sufficient posture.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3
People weren’t in awe of the beggar’s ability to fix their problems. They were impacted by how God stepped into his life.
As leaders, our job isn’t to have all the answers. Our job is to vulnerably prostrate ourselves before God as beggars, desperate for Him to bring life and change into the hearts of those we lead.
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