Over the last thirty years I have watched as the church has emphasized and re-emphasized leadership. I think that we may have followed the lead that corporate America has set, as books, tapes, seminars and material have proliferated on this subject. I personally have been called to serve leaders, and I still travel the country training and ministering to leaders. Sometimes I wonder if I am contributing more to a problem, rather than bringing a solution. Let me explain…

Much has been said about the failures of the church being as a result of failure of leadership. I wonder if the failure in the church might be a result of over emphasizing the importance of leadership. I think we have come to the point that we are worshipping leaders and leadership in general. This would be akin to idolatry and God does not tolerate idolatry well at all.

The Heart - Motives and Attitudes

I have noticed that sometimes the people, who want to lead the most, do so out of wrong motives and attitudes. I am more concerned about the heart of a leader than I am about their giftedness or skill. Authority is a very bad thing to give a person who has not crucified the flesh with all of its passions. The attitudes and motives of the heart are the very most important attributes of leaders… and it is up to each leader to tend his or her heart.

When Jesus trained the twelve, He did not emphasize their gift or call, or even the future roles they would have in the earth. As I read His words, I don’t see Him exalting or lifting them up, or reminding them of the great importance that they would have to the church. It seems to me that He simply wanted them to know His Father. If they could meet the Father, then they would have the opportunity to have the Fathers heart.

On the Trail and in the Home

His training was not done in a seminar or classroom. He taught them by example as he lived among them. He was challenging, patient, wise, and very discerning when He taught them. His example was as powerful as His words… there was no difference between what He said and what He did. I am sure He was careful about who He chose… and He prayed for them, reminding the Father that He had kept those that He had given Him.  He knew the choosing of the father.

He prepared them for hardship, conflict, suffering, and even death. They led out of a love for Him rather then from a love for the position. Their leadership positions did not profit them, by giving them entitlements and perks that our positions often offer. These were true shepherds who fed, led, protected, and laid down their lives for the flock. Servant hood was more than a seminar concept… it was a way of life.

I believe that truer leaders would emerge if we talked less about leadership, and more about Jesus. Leaders just have a way of leading, and they are easy to recognize when they do. I am talking a lot more about serving, sacrificing, and suffering than I am about leading now days. Some of the best leaders I know are not given to constant chatter… but rather consistent and faithful service. They are more interested in solving problems, teaching, loving, imparting vision and taking care of others  (LEADING) then they are in having preeminence, prominence or platforms.

Becoming Child Like

I can teach leadership principles all day long… but only the individual can deal with the most important issues of the heart. Jesus said that in order to enter the Kingdom we would have to become like little children. Becoming a child means that we are as dependent on God as an infant is on its parents. With this kind of weakness, innocence, humility, and dependence we can really make a difference in the lives of those that we lead… Perhaps leading is not about being strong, smart, powerful and confident, but rather about becoming weak so that His strength can be revealed through us….

When we make Jesus our total focus, the leadership stuff inside of us will come out… it leadership becomes our focus, we will not be able to truly reflect His heart in our leading. Perhaps we need to stop talking about leading and just talk about Jesus… I think its time to let the church enjoy a break from the whole ‘worship the leader’ kick, and refocus on worshiping Christ…. Think about it!