One of the things I really respect about leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan is that they were never afraid to put people around them who were "better" at something than they were.
It's a great leadership principle.
When Jack Benny was considering adding Wayne Newton to his television program, he was warned “Be careful; that kid is too talented. He’ll steal your show.” Benny said, “He better. If he can’t steal the show, I don’t want him.”
Great leaders aren’t afraid to surround themselves with talent. They’re not afraid of someone stealing the show. Neither do they mind sharing the spotlight. Poor leaders find this threatening, but great leaders understand that it all comes back to them, anyway. They know that they’re only as good as the team they have assembled.
If you have the luxury of drafting your own team, pick the best players you can find and the best players you can afford. If your team is chosen for you, make every effort to bring out the best in them. Either way, be sure they get the recognition they deserve. Don’t be afraid to let a little light shine on them.
Paul talked about us being one body: Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Whatever part of the body a leader might be, we need to remember that none of us are called to be the ego.
What is ego? Ego is Edging God Out.
God is the ultimate leader. I am here to simply follow his instructions.
May we all follow his leading today.
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I agree that their can be no ego in our work for Christ. Being lead by the Word and the Spirit of God, really how can there be room for ego? If we say we’re following God’s Word and being lead by His Spirit, aren’t we followers?
Being in leadership in the body of Christ, shouldn’t be taken lightly. Everyday though, I see and hear individuals conduct themselves, like God isn’t around, to bring them into account. Leadership isn’t something to be desired. I believe that God thrusts it upon some, because He knows them and can trust them, like God knew Moses, Abraham, and David just to mention a few. I’ve seen young upstarts, fresh out of College wanting to get into a big church with the big salary and benefit package and I wonder if they even know what this is all about? Isn’t it about serving people?
What motivates these young people? Yes, they may have a degree (BA, MA) and spent a lot of time in the cemetery, but do they understand what their called to do? Like, how to walk humbly before men trusting and obeying. Putting others first, over themselves. Yes, some do have a reality of their calling? Then others, well? How can anyone know God without knowing His Word? The Word of God tells us what our leaders are to be like.
I’ve been told that 1000 pastors leave the ministry every month? That’s a lot of pastors. Why are they leaving? How can an individual walk away from the voice and calling of God? Some even drop out altogether. I’m not claiming to have the answer. I do have 30 years of observations. I just want people to look and think about these issues.
What ever happened to sacrifice, servant hood, caring, compassion, grace and mercy? Sometimes these are words used by those in leadership, but not demonstrated to well. Was it replaced with ego? You know, pushing God aside? Doing it my way, or our way, over His way? If Jesus were to walk the streets in America today as he walked the streets of Jerusalem in his day, would he have the same problem with the leaders of his church here in America as he did with the leaders of Temple in his day? I think if we’re honest, we can see some parallels. Wasn’t there a lot of ego in the Temple leadership?
I don’t know how much some people get around, but I have in my day. I’ve been at gatherings where the church leadership talk about the ABC’s. I never thought to much about it until, I read Pastor Cabala’s book “Fire Wind Fresh Fire” The ABC’s are What’s your Attendance, What’s your Budget? How much Cash do you have on hand? To him and me, that sounds egotistical. Who’s church is it anyway? Again, why do we wonder why people don’t want come to church? When they’re viewed as a commodity instead of an individual, created in the image of God. We have to be careful with the lives that God has entrusted with us. We’ll be accountable for all of them some day. And if the Church is ever judged here on earth, scripture tells us, that judgment starts at the head. Anybody still want to be a leader?
We’re reminded quite frequently in morning worship by the song “It’s all about you Jesus”.
I believe with all my heart, that here at First Assembly that this statement is true and lived out in the lives of the many people my wife and I have met since we started attending. We must guard against it ever changing to something else. It always has to remain a God thing, a Jesus thing.
Without God, we can do nothing! That’s scripture and that’s the truth. Put the ego aside and ask for a double portion of Humble Pie because it is all about Him. He’s the one who paid the price we couldn’t pay. Be blessed and serve God with all your heart.
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