While watching this video from Matt Chandler, teaching pastor of the Village Church in Dallas, TX, I was reminded of some leadership fundamentals.
• Real passion and hunger for God
Chandler reminds us that despite theories of leadership, and ways of implementing those theories, what really makes successful leader is one who has a "real passion and hunger for God." This may seem obvious, but many leaders think church growth, creating programs, or preparing for sermons is the goal. The goal of a leader should be "pressing into God." A leader should make the upward journey their foremost desire. 1 Timothy 4:15 demonstrates that this love of God should be visible to all in all areas of life.
• Humility
Successful leaders should also seek "steadfast humility." This seems to emanate from the first fundamental. If a leader has real passion and hunger for God, they will not think more highly of themselves than they ought.
• Preaching as the apex of leadership
Though Chandler doesn't speak to this in the interview, I am reminded of the immense role preaching ought to have in our perspective as leaders. This is the most unique opportunities we have to clearly communicate vision and purpose for God's people. If this is not directed by a passion for God, then leaders are sure to go astray.
• Strengths
A successful leader should know what they are good at, and focus on that thing almost exclusively. Leaders should not try to micro-manage, but empower people in every area of ministry.
Two aspects of this talk stuck out to me. The first was the statement he made about the necessity of loving Jesus. He said that many individuals get into church planting to make their mark, to find their niche, but often their devotional lives are dry and have nothing to them. This is quite the indictment to the professional ministers and church planters. How important it is is for we, as skilled and gifted technicians of ministry, to actually be compelled by our relationship with God through Christ.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I really appreciated the comment about finding out the things that only you can do. These are then the things that you should put the majority of your time into.