Leadership is…Travel Agent or Tour Guide?
Spiritual leaders should function more like tour guides and less like travel agents.
It is possible to be a travel agent who specializes in tours to Rome, without ever actually going to Rome.
However, it is impossible to be a tour guide who specializes in tours to Rome, without going to Rome.
Travel agents tell people how to get to places that they (the travel agents) may or may not have visited. They work in the office and point the way.
Tour guides take others where they (the tour guides) have been many times before. They work on the ground and lead the way.
First century Pharisees were “travel agent” leaders, sitting in the synagogue telling people how to live. Jesus told his followers to, obey them (Pharisees) and do everything they TELL you. But do not do what they DO, for they do not practice what they preach. (Mt23:3)
Jesus was a “tour guide” leader mixing with people and setting the example. His message was, follow me. (Mt4:19)
Paul was also a “tour guide” leader. His message was, follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1Cor11:1)
Jesus and Paul didn’t just sit in an office telling people where to go and what to do; they set the example and led the way. And people followed. That’s biblical leadership. That’s discipleship. Unfortunately that’s rare in today’s church world.
What kind of leader are you? Do you lead like a travel agent or a tour guide? Do you lead primarily with words or action? Do you lead from an office or pulpit, or do you get involved in real life and lead by example?
Leading with words is a lot easier than leading by example. Problem is - it doesn’t work.
If you want to be a successful spiritual leader, then get out of the office and get with the people so you can lead by example.
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Change of plans: On my last reluctant leader blog I mentioned that I will be preaching a message on "Grace" at Bethel's Brentwood campus this weekend. I am still preaching, but it will be a world mission message. Hope to see some of you there.
Steve - I appreciate the distinction that you make in this post. It is important to primarily be a tour guide, but also important to, at times, be a travel agent. Thanks!
Posted by: Andrew Conard | October 14, 2007 at 12:34 AM
Steve, I was watching Gladiator again recently, and I am always inspired by Maximus’s quote “Strength & Honor” as he goes out to battle with his men. In the extended version he also visits his men in the hospital after the battle. Much can also be said of George Washington as he stayed with his men during the miserable winter in Valley Forge.
In both the movie and in real life respect for the main leader was earned. The leaders served and honored their men, and by doing so received great honor in return. That is why strength and honor go hand in hand. The strength is a unity that is born in shared victory and adversity, and this is not easily broken.
Posted by: Mike Watkins | October 18, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Some travel guides do it w/ a donkey,some on a 747 & some on their two feet. Jesus did it slowly, deliberately, house to house, sinagogue to sinagogue, village to village. One thing though, Jesus stayed focused on His mission and He finished what He started. As a travel guide, one cannot quit in mid-stream but must sweat it out. So few want to be laborers but thats what the Father needs!
Posted by: fred aguelo | October 18, 2007 at 04:21 PM
As I read, I tried to debate with your points, pushing the other side of the argument. Although there may be travel agent aspects, I cannot find any of those without saying, "this is the 21st century".
The tour guide is the most effective and powerful way forward for the members of the body of Christ.
How come the church is always trying so hard to be like the world?
Great post!
Posted by: Matt Rasch | October 23, 2007 at 08:43 PM
i appreciate the way you illustrate your point of leadership... i usually read your blog. for 10 yrs of my stay with victory im surprised the way God taught me how to lead... and how you lead us in this ministry... im humbled that until now, im still leading according to the grace that God gave me. i know for some point i lead like a travel agent. and i thank God for that privelege, that those under my leadership still keep their faith in God. i look at leadership as a previlege to be executed daily. its hard to lead in humility... by the way, you can edit this msg...ü
Posted by: jay mamon | October 24, 2007 at 09:48 PM