The Reluctant Leader

Here's my attempt to explain the title and target of this blog.

It was the week after Christmas. I was in Nashville with my family. Watching a whole season of 24 during the holidays has become a Murrell family holiday tradition. After unwrapping the latest 24 DVD's, the clock starts ticking. We usually knock out 2 or 3 episodes per night until we finish.

We were watching season 5. Former president David Palmer died a couple of days after Christmas - our time - within a day or two of former President Gerald Ford's (real) death. Two former American presidents dying in the same week. Tragic. As I saw flags all over the city flying at half mast, several times I caught myself thinking of "President Palmer" rather than President Ford - a sure sign of too much 24.

Former US presidents Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton got lots of press, even after they left office. Not Ford. He seemed to become invisible. I have never given much thought to Ford, the man with the dubious distinction of being the only American president who never won a national election. He was appointed VP, not elected, and when Nixon resigned, Ford became President without one single vote being cast for him. The more I watched the tributes to Ford, the more impressed I was with his character, his humility and his leadership style. 

Ford seemed to be an accidental president; a man who became president without trying; maybe even a reluctant president.

I can relate to that. Not the pressure, responsibility and stress of being the US President, but of finding yourself in a position you never pursued and never asked for. I never wanted to be a spiritual leader. I just wanted to follow Jesus.

When I first went into the ministry, I never wanted to be a pastor, especially not a "senior" pastor. I was content to stay behind the scenes and help my pastor. But somehow, I am still not sure how it happened, I ended up being the lead pastor. I never wanted that job and I never sought it, but it seemed to want me.

That's the story of my life and ministry. Maybe that is your story too. Maybe you never wanted to be a leader, but then you turned around and people seem to be following you. Scary.

Maybe you are leading a small group of people who, for some strange reason, look up to you as a spiritual mentor. Maybe you woke up one day "in the ministry" and you are still not sure exactly what that means or how that happened. Maybe you are in way over your head in a leadership position in your office, on your campus or in some level of government service. Or, maybe you are a parent simply trying to lead your family.

No matter what type of leader you are, I hope this blog encourages, inspires and helps you. I am not writing only to professional and well-trained leaders, but to anyone who finds himself in a place of leadership and is sometimes not sure what do to next.

Let me know what you think about my musings of a reluctant leader. Thanks.

 

Comments

[joey bonifacio]

Long awaited focused blog on leadership. Looking forward. Great picture of President Palmer.

[Lynn Nawata]

i can totally relate to being a "reluctant leader." i always seem to find myself in situations where i look around the room at where i am or with whom i am conversing or in which situation i find myself and wonder -- "how in the world did i end up here???"

[Bernhard Wewege]

Hi Steve I have always found your blog real and insightful. Please keep writing. I have learnt so much from you as a leader.

[jeff]

good blog...it could be my own story.

[Kenneth Wang]

It seems from the Bible that most of God's chosen leaders belong to this category of "reluctant leaders"!And they almost always turned out to be the best leaders!
PS Steve, Christine and I always enjoy reading your blogs. Please continue to share with us your nuggets of wisdom and insights!

[Paolo Punzalan]

i'm just finishing up season 4. i guess i now know that david palmer dies in season 5.

[Ivy]

this is so encouraging and comforting to hear! speaks right back into my heart. I loved it when Bill Hybels mentioned it in his book Courageous Leadership on the gift of leadership: "For whatever reason, God gave me that gift. I never asked for it. I don't deserve it. I enjoy it tremendously, but it came with a clear set of orders...lead as diligently as you possibly can... maximize every ounce of leadership potential i put in you. For the sake of the church and the world, develop this gift..."

[Lynn Nawata]

funny, paolo -- i was blogging late saturday night and they were just showing the episode of 24 where pres palmer gets assassinated. i guess we are on a bit of a time delay here in the phils... steve might have to post "spoiler warnings" on his 24 blogs :)

[Thelma]

i think life has a way of taking the least likely choice and turning them into the most logical pick. it's the most humble who are the most teachable, receptive and impressionable. it is only in this state that we are most pliable. and in the hands of Almighty God, molded, bent and transformed for His service.

i look forward to more of your thoughts!

[rads sy]

Hi Pastor Steve,thanks for starting this blogsite for leadership. I, among many others are really waiting for focused discussions on this particular topic. All that i learn will be passed on, rest assured.Please keep them coming.

[Bob Perry]

Steve,
Your comments made me laugh and cry. The blessing of the Lord in this season seem to be on those that are walking with humility and compassion. You are a man of the Mighty God.

[Michael Chapman]

Pastor Steve, I took Jonny out for lunch yesterday for his birthday. We spoke a bit about our dads. I read your blogs and follow your insight because your son, your fruit, is an awesome man! Thanks for your integrity, humility and choosing to share all you've learned. (... so I can learn it the easy way and not the hard!)

[Rodolfo Martinez Ochoa]

Pastor Steve:

Gracias por su inspiracion. Su tiempo en Lima, Peru fue de mucha frescura en revelacion practica.
Creemos que estos temas pueden ser traducidos al espanol para multiplicar el reto de levantar lideres.
Gracias por su blog's y puntuales sugerencias.

Rodolfo

[Alfonso C. Corpuz]

Pastor Steve Murrell. I can recall easily when you were giving us Bible Studies then at PNC, you kept on telling us that you were a bit timid, not much of a bombastic type of preacher but I got lots of respect for "timid" ones, because I am like that as well. So I wasn't surprised to see your title as Reluctant Leader. As a high school teacher (not anymore college), I can very well relate to the title. I can recall reluctant great men as well, Isaiah, Moses, Peter. You're in a great company. God loves reluctant ones, for they can do great things after overcoming their reluctance.

[Leo Tan]

Wow...Great blog "Pastor" Steve...I don't know if you remember me...I'm the Malaysian guy you met in Sydney April for the South Pacific summit, who was wearing that "Real Life Foundation" shirt...lol...I like what you wrote about the "Reluctant Leader", its funny but true!...I never saw myself in a leadership role, or even being a "Campus minister". I never pursued that role at all, and its like God set this all up. In fact I tryed to run away from it, and do my own thing. :)
kind regards, Leonard. (Auckland, New Zealand)