Healthy Leaders | Issue 12
Gleanings, celebrations, relationships, and thriving because of people, not processes.
Welcome to Issue 12 of Healthy Leaders.
In this issue ‒ gleanings, celebrations, relationships, and thriving because of people, not processes. Also, how Paul challenged the status quo. Let’s dive in.
Don’t Reap to the Edges of Your Life
Brandon Cooper speaks to the “selfish, maximizing outlook” of so many modern leaders, that not only packs our schedules and budgets to the breaking point, but shuts out opportunities for generosity:
Most would agree time is more valuable than money. But when we set our schedules, do we leave room on the edges of our calendars for those in need? Do we leave the “gleanings” of our itinerary for those whom in God’s providence we unexpectedly encounter?
If we want to be available to God, and to make the most of every opportunity (Eph. 5:16), we must have margin in our schedules. We must know we could take an unplanned hour to sit with someone who’s hurting, confused, questioning, grieving, or even overjoyed. We must have time to meet him where he is and minister Christ’s presence in his moment of need.
Structuring an Organization for Continuous Leader Development
Malcolm Webber takes us on a tour of the reasons molding humans to fit structures will ultimately end in failure. Instead, we need to build leaders!
Instead of molding human beings to fit the requirements of mechanical structures and processes, “leader-friendly organizations” build around the strengths and potentials of their leaders and people. Our goal is not merely to raise up leaders who will maintain the organization, but those who will continually change it!
Even a superficial reading of the New Testament will yield the obvious truth that Jesus built leaders and not organizations. He worked with men and not with models (Mark 3:13-19). In doing so, of course Jesus provided some wonderful models for us. But all of His models revolved around men and not structures.
Ultimately, the Church will thrive because of people and not because of structures or ministry strategies!
Three Leadership Benefits of Celebration
Ben Trueblood offers some wise advice on celebrating with those you lead. I love this section on how celebration builds culture:
Culture is developed through shared experiences more than words and teaching. When you choose to stop and celebrate the efforts of individuals and whole teams you are rooting the actions that have been taken with the value you place on people. This learning was a turning point for me in celebration: that celebration is essential for showing value in people as a leader. The truth is I valued people deeply all along the way, but my desire to just climb the next mountain said that I valued the mountain or the accomplishment more than the people. Celebrate your people and you will begin to develop a culture that values people over accomplishments.
Acts: The Spirit-Led Church Challenges the Status Quo
Brian Haferkamp provides a case study of status-quo challenging in the life of Paul.
Two paradigms of Peter’s life as a Jewish man had already been challenged by Jesus: That the Messiah would die and that the establishment of Christ's Kingdom would not be the result of military conquest.
And in Acts we see God once again challenge Peter’s worldview. A good Jew never ate anything God himself had declared unclean or went into the houses of those who were not Jews. But now here God is commanding Peter to eat unclean things.
When God challenges your paradigm, how do you react? Do you thoughtfully consider it? Does it send you into a tailspin of doubt and psychological darkness? Or do you listen and obey even when you don’t understand?
10 Ways for Every Pastor to Be More Relational
Mike Ayers offers some practical relationship-building advice for leaders. Here’s a choice few:
Listen more than you talk. Leaders are famous for loving to hear themselves talk— and to mostly talk about themselves. Seek to listen to others more than you speak (James 1:19). If you ask people about their life and world, and take the time to listen attentively, they will become drawn to you and more readily trust you. This means sincere care, not pretend listening….
Work with people; don’t use them. It’s inauthentic to form relationships just to get people to do things for you. That approach won’t work in the long term because people will feel used. Leaders should approach relationships with integrity. We form relationships because we genuinely care and because we share a common mission. Of course, we cannot be friends with everyone. Determine the appropriate level of a relationship, establish boundaries with it, and act authentically within those boundaries. Remember, however: the more you ask of someone, the more need there is to have relationship with him or her. Making demands of people without a measure of care, concern, and trust for them creates resentment.
That’s all for this one, friends. If you found something encouraging in this letter, share it with a friend. If you’ve found something encouraging outside of this letter, send it our way. We love to share what our leaders love.
Until next time, we’re with you!
— Chris
For all of us at LeaderSource