Leadership Matters

Does leadership really matter? A question that depending on differing contexts can bring about a myriad of responses. It also depends on what positions that you see yourself in on a daily basis whether or not you have strong feelings about this question. I would like to share with you some examples, biblical and extra biblical as well as some personal experiences that bring light and maybe an answer to this question today. 

I had the distinct pleasure of attending an elective course offered by Faith Bible Institute and hosted by our church this last weekend. It was approximately 5 hours long spread out over two days and jam packed with principles, and examples of Biblical leadership, it's process, it purpose and it’s importance. It has made me really take time and think about the areas of my life where others see my leadership, whether or not I see or admit it, and assess where I am at, where I am going, and where I need to be. Sometimes seeing that we are leading others can be a stumbling block for us, in that we don’t take ownership of the fact that others see us and are following. 

There are some times in our lives where we don’t realize all those around us, whether in the next room or in the next state are looking to each of us and the examples we set. Therefore you are leading someone, somewhere whether you like it or not. There are others who know and see clearly the influence we have on others. Whether you are a father, mother, grandmother or grandfather, boss, teacher, preacher, manager, deacon or any other position in the world, God has given you a chance to influence and change others. Yet He has not left you empty handed trying to figure it out on your own. 

There are several examples in God’s Word of good and bad leadership. Some stories are there for us to see how to lead, others on how not to lead. How to be a good father can be clearly found in Deut. 6, Ephesians 5 and others. We have been preaching and teaching through the history of Israel through 1 and 2 Kings and Chronicles lately. Some kings are considered great leaders in the history of Israel and yet were not great leaders in their own homes. Our worship Pastor Luke Carney made an astute observation this week when he said, “As we have been studying the kings of Israel over the last few months at Faith and also thru my seminary classes, I have come to realize that many great men and what we consider to be great godly kings made for very lousy fathers.” He concluded with these fine statements that I have paraphrased. Certain kings may have won the battle and lost the war. We need to choose to be the pattern at home. God gives all leaders a hand book, a road map to follow on how to maximize our leadership ability and potential. When looking for answers there are many books on how to be a better leader, but let us turn first to God’s word for direction. How do we assess where we are?

The elective course offered an answer this weekend. Larry Fincher said, “The success of a leader is in how our successor does.” Did we lead others in such a way that they are able to teach others the same thing?  Another quote from Larry Fincher spoke to this very concept in our FBI elective this weekend when he said, “The success of parenting is not in the children, but rather in the grandchildren.” For then we see whether we lead our children to be good leaders of their own children. In our country we see the success of our leaders based on the longevity of their reforms and they bare the blame for the good and the bad. Does leadership matter? When it comes to our country we are quick to say a resounding, “YES!” However when it comes to matters of faith, family, or our jobs, we quickly shift blame and responsibility to others. 

God gives us all responsibility to lead others. Lead them to Him, lead coworkers, lead children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters in the Lord at church. So my question for you is, who are you leading, and where or what or whom are you leading them? Does leadership matter? Yes it does, and if so, you first need to figure out who you are leading, who looks up to you? Second you need to figure out if your example is worth following? Lastly where are you leading others? As we have seen from the kings of Israel, you can win the battle and lose the war. Are you fighting the battle or looking at the war?

God Bless, 

Pastor Grant