Q&A: Why is this Blog Called the Reluctant Leader?

 

Someone named Jonathan recently asked: “Just wondering, why do you call this blog the 'reluctant leader'?" 

I wrote about my blog title on my first post a few months ago, but I still get this question all the time. So, here is another shot at explaining my reluctant leader blog. 

The “reluctant leader” is simply a description of me, and the way I have always approached life and leadership. I am not sure it is the best way to do leadership; it’s just the way I do it.

Paul said it is “noble” to desire a leadership office or position. (1Tim3:1)

As noble as it may be, it has never been me. Maybe it means I am not very noble, but I much prefer the back row to the front row. While some are natural born leaders, following is more natural to me.

The pages of the Bible are filled with leaders who are the opposite of reluctant. They were eager, aggressive, bold and brave. King Saul. Apostle Paul. Joseph. Jacob. Joshua. Elijah. Elisha. Peter.

Not me.

I tend to approach leadership more like:
    - Gideon – hiding in fear
    - Timothy – insecure & timid
    - Jonah – the original running man
    - Moses – “O Lord, please send someone else.” (Ex4:13)

But for some strange reason, I seem to always find myself in leadership positions. Looking back, I am not sure how or why, but somehow I think it was usually God’s will that got me there. 

I stumbled on this quote yesterday, about leadership “sneaking up” on us:

“Early in our careers, few of us list ‘being a great leader’ as one of our goals. Leadership roles tend to sneak up on us, and suddenly others are looking at us, hoping to find reasons to follow our lead." (Lynette Lewis in “Climbing the Ladder in Stilettos”. Its my wife’s book, ok.)

I am learning not to run when leadership positions sneak up on me.

Comments

[carol]

thank you for this, pastor steve! i can relate to some of the things... i'm also learning to not run from leading. Am more of a follower as well, but am also a weird mix of desiring-to-be-a-leader yet would much rather just be part of the pack and just follow.

Still learning! And thanks for your insights into leadership =)

[tim]

Hi Pastor Steve, thank you for your sharing. I find myself agreeing with you on all points. Leadership 'snucked up 'on me the way you describe, and yah i'm the type of guy who sits in the back pew corner, and would rather drive the church van than be in the pulpit, haha. But God has other plans I guess. I've stopped asking 'why me?' and am learning to flow with His will for me :)
blessing from Singapore. Tim Wong.

[Ardy Abello]

Hi Steve!

Thanks for sharing the reason for your blog title, I believe it liberated a lot including me, to know that though we may be doing fine following with the rest of the team, it is God who gives the promotion and along with it comes the grace to fulfill His leadership mandate in our lives. Though you may be "reluctant", you're a great leader Steve!

Regards,

Ardy

[Daniel Zhao]

Sometime,I think I may like Peter more,Aggressive,bold and desire to lead,but maybe wrong direction or lost for a while, untill encounter with Jesus...
Didn't realize Reluctant come alongside with Leadership, is from more maturity and humunity, not just personality.mmm, I'm not sure I really got it.

[Jesse Ty]

Hi Pastor Steve,

I've been with your church since 1995 back in the old YOUTH oN FIRE days and i never thought that you were all reluctant.

But one thing i would like to tell you is that i admire your HUMILITY and most of all your TRANSPARENCY, not being afraid to show and tell who you really are to us ...

and that is a great sign of leadership.

At least we know we have a leader who has done great things for GOD in this Church and who is humble enough and secure enough to tell the majority who are somewhat like a reluctant leader like yourself about your experiences.

I'm just blessed to know that you dont hide it like most leaders would but you're secure enought to open your life to us so that we may learn from what God has taught you.

Thank you for standing for the TRUTH and teaching us to be transparent in all things and most of all to God.

As leaders, that keeps us from living in Pretense to the point that sometimes we miss the TRUTH.

The truth is what matters and the Truth should always matter.

Thanks for showing that to us.

GOD BLESS.