Who Are You Listening To?
08/30/07 04:02 AM
I've said something recently to a couple of
different people that I want to share with you.
Basically, it went like this, "As the Pastor of
this church, I'm not listening to my critics or my
cheerleaders. I'm listening to God." Now let me
explain that a little bit. If you lead anything,
you will have both - critics and cheerleaders. The
temptation of leadership is to keep the peace, make
people happy, avoid confrontation at all costs, and
simply be a people pleaser. So what tends to happen
is that as a leader you allow whatever it is you're
leading to be directed, even if in little ways, by
one of those two groups.
Critics or complainers tend to be the loudest.
They've come to believe that the squeaky wheel gets
the oil - even in the church. And if they can pitch
a loud enough fit or even worse if they threaten
leaving enough they believe they'll get their way.
It's a form of blackmail. They say they don't want
to change the vision or purpose of the church. They
might even say they agree with it. It's just the
process or the means of accomplishing it they don't
like. They want compromise.
Don't believe it. Purpose and process are philosophically linked together. Typically, I've found that they simply don't have the same vision for the church and they want their way. And that's okay, nothing is necessarily wrong with "their way," it's simply not the way that God is leading this particular church. Everyone would be better off if we lovingly parted ways before the disagreement turns divisive - which by the way happens sooner than we realize. Life is too short. The Kingdom is too important. And the stakes are too high.
Being led by your cheerleaders is just as dangerous, but a little more subtle. Cheerleaders are those who support you no matter what. And while it's great to have that unconditional support, it's equally tempting to stop leading and just fall into pleasing this group. It's easy.
I'll be honest with you, I've been the Pastor of Coastal for 17 years and from time to time I've found myself too easily distracted and influenced by either group. No more! Like I said, I'm listening to God. God called me into His family. God called me into ministry. God called me to start this church. And God has given me a clear vision for Coastal. My job as the Pastor of this church is to regularly, clearly, passionately communicate that vision. My promise to you is that I will seek His face and His direction for our church. I will humbly spend time in prayer and in His word. And when God tells me what to do, I will share it and we will do it. Leadership is that simple. And from time to time as I communicate the vision I might not know all the details. But I need the confidence and freedom to simply share it, knowing that I have an army behind me that will say, "If that's the direction from God for our church, then let's go for it! It might not be my way, but it's God's way for our church. Chris might not know the details yet, but he doesn't have too. That's my job. I'll help work them out!" If you can't say that, you're in the wrong place and you will find yourself frustrated and miserable.
Now don't misunderstand me. I love people. That's why I'm in ministry. I'm not a bull in a china cabinet callously running over people. I will give whatever it takes, sacrifice whatever it takes to accomplish the vision God has given me for Coastal. And at it's core - that vision is all about people. I'm also not a dictator. I'm not looking for "drink the kool-aid" type of followers. I constantly listen to feedback, evaluate what and how we do what we do, and let Godly people speak into my life and our ministry. Don't mistake passion for being unapproachable. I also believe in servant leadership according to Philippians 2. Follow me as I follow Jesus. You go low, I'll go lower. You give and sacrifice, I'll give and sacrifice more. I will never ask people to do what I am unwilling first to do myself.
I'm listening to God. I will not be distracted or diverted. I hope you expect no less. And that one decision has set me free and removed any burdens I might have felt when I try to lead in my own power. So - who are you listening to?
Don't believe it. Purpose and process are philosophically linked together. Typically, I've found that they simply don't have the same vision for the church and they want their way. And that's okay, nothing is necessarily wrong with "their way," it's simply not the way that God is leading this particular church. Everyone would be better off if we lovingly parted ways before the disagreement turns divisive - which by the way happens sooner than we realize. Life is too short. The Kingdom is too important. And the stakes are too high.
Being led by your cheerleaders is just as dangerous, but a little more subtle. Cheerleaders are those who support you no matter what. And while it's great to have that unconditional support, it's equally tempting to stop leading and just fall into pleasing this group. It's easy.
I'll be honest with you, I've been the Pastor of Coastal for 17 years and from time to time I've found myself too easily distracted and influenced by either group. No more! Like I said, I'm listening to God. God called me into His family. God called me into ministry. God called me to start this church. And God has given me a clear vision for Coastal. My job as the Pastor of this church is to regularly, clearly, passionately communicate that vision. My promise to you is that I will seek His face and His direction for our church. I will humbly spend time in prayer and in His word. And when God tells me what to do, I will share it and we will do it. Leadership is that simple. And from time to time as I communicate the vision I might not know all the details. But I need the confidence and freedom to simply share it, knowing that I have an army behind me that will say, "If that's the direction from God for our church, then let's go for it! It might not be my way, but it's God's way for our church. Chris might not know the details yet, but he doesn't have too. That's my job. I'll help work them out!" If you can't say that, you're in the wrong place and you will find yourself frustrated and miserable.
Now don't misunderstand me. I love people. That's why I'm in ministry. I'm not a bull in a china cabinet callously running over people. I will give whatever it takes, sacrifice whatever it takes to accomplish the vision God has given me for Coastal. And at it's core - that vision is all about people. I'm also not a dictator. I'm not looking for "drink the kool-aid" type of followers. I constantly listen to feedback, evaluate what and how we do what we do, and let Godly people speak into my life and our ministry. Don't mistake passion for being unapproachable. I also believe in servant leadership according to Philippians 2. Follow me as I follow Jesus. You go low, I'll go lower. You give and sacrifice, I'll give and sacrifice more. I will never ask people to do what I am unwilling first to do myself.
I'm listening to God. I will not be distracted or diverted. I hope you expect no less. And that one decision has set me free and removed any burdens I might have felt when I try to lead in my own power. So - who are you listening to?
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