On Leadership
11/18/02
Interesting. I currently work with four home fellowship groups made up of younger, newer members and visitors. Monthly, the group leaders and I get together. I decided this Fall to change what we did at the monthly meetings. I told them my vision for fellowship groups.
I told it through video. During two successive meetings, the group leaders watched the screen as a speaker communicated with conviction and clarity a mutual passion. I wanted them to know how strongly I felt about the vision and I told them so.
Two weeks later, at one of the fellowship group gatherings that I attended, a leader told the group my vision. It was spontaneous, unrehearsed. It also was accurate. Interesting. It was an experience that reinforced
· People look for a cause beyond themselves. They look for it!
· People need a vision. When we communicate vision, we actually help others. Think about it. Vision can fill people's need for significance and meaningful activity. We point them to something that energizes and engages their dreams.
· People need a vision big enough to capture their attention, so that their imagination kicks in.
· People need time to understand, accept and own a vision. While the video communicated far better than I, it was not the first time the group leaders had heard me speak about such things.
· People look for congruency. Does the vision match the leader? Is the leader committed to what she or he says and willing to make some sacrifices? Does the vision match the people and their history?
It is the leader's job to point out a direction. There is neither time for drift nor for passing the responsibility onto the board or elders or deacons or unofficial leaders or the congregation. Sorry. Leadership includes risk. The risk of rejection, the risk of conflict - and the risk of seeing your vision re-shaped by others into something better, with others getting the credit. But, leaders lead. Leaders lead.
That is why The Jesus Connection approaches pastors first. We look for leaders who share the vision; not for change or renewal, but for transformation - a whole congregation full. I've seen leaders with different personalities, different levels of confidence and different experiences. The differences, and your unique personality and style is not what is vital. What is vital is that you lead. Pastor and congregational leaders, where are you leading? How are you leading? What is your vision?
