the reluctant leader

Unimpressed with Numerical Success

I would rather people tell me they are impressed with my awesomeness than to tell me I'm wrong.

I like to be right, especially when I'm not.

But, leaders are often wrong - probably more often than non leaders - simply because the nature of leading creates endless opportunities to be wrong.

If you want to make sure people never tell you that you are wrong, then avoid decision-making and risk-taking.

But Moses was a decision-making risk-taking kind of guy. In other words, he was a leader.

"Moses' father-in-law (Jethro) replied, 'WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS NOT GOOD.'" (Exodus 18:17)

All leaders - especially young leaders with a huge following - need a Jethro, someone older and wiser who is not impressed with numbers and who will speak truth, especially truth we don't want to hear. While I don't enjoy it when my Jethros burst my bubble with painful truth, I am nevertheless thankful for friends who boldly speak the truth in love.

Suggestion: if you are a leader, it might be a good idea to find a old dude who will tell you what you don't want to hear.

Three Controversial But Important Topics We Must Address

Pastors and ministers have countless topics to address and an unending stream questions to answer, but none are as important in 2012 as these:

1. The Exclusivity of Christ - Are all religions equal? Are there many paths to God? Or is Jesus the only way to God as stated in John 14:6? ("I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.")

2. The Authority of Scripture - Is the Bible trustworthy, or flawed? Is the Bible authoritative, or merely suggestive?

3. The Sanctity of Marriage - Does marriage still matter? Is marriage exclusively between one man and one woman? Is it ok to redefine marriage to fit in with contemporary cultural values?

These questions will not go away. If we don't address them, someone else will.

No One Wants to Follow a Slave Driver Leader

While reading Exodus on my recent Manila to China flight, I scribbled some notes contrasting the leadership styles of Moses and Pharaoh.

Here's how Moses led:
1. Moses called God's people to a "festival" which is like a party. Good leaders know how to mix work and fun. (Ex5:1)
2. Moses called God's people to "sacrifice." Good leaders are not afraid to lead people to greater sacrifice. (Ex5:3)

And, here's how Pharaoh led:
1. Pharaoh leaders constantly demand, "Get back to your work!" (Ex5:4)
2. Pharaoh leaders produce underlings who are "slave drivers." (Ex5:6)
3. Pharaoh leaders are obsessed with "requirements" and "quotas." (Ex5:8,17)
4. Pharaoh leaders look for ways to "make the work harder" rather than looking for ways to lift the burdens of their workers. (Ex5:9)
5. Pharaoh leaders will never "reduce the work" load. (Ex5:11)
6. Pharaoh leaders "beat" their people when they don't produce enough. (Ex5:14)

What type of leader would you rather follow?
What type of leader are you?

My Job as a Preacher Just Got Simpler

While reading a familiar scripture this morning, I think my job as a teacher/preacher just got clearer and simpler.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"" -Isaiah 52:7

1. The job of the preacher is to "PROCLAIM salvation" not to debate, argue, appease, apologize, placate or politic. Simply proclaim the truth.

2. The job of the preacher is to "bring good NEWS" not to bring good advice. News is something that already happened, not something that might happen in the future. Salvation is the same as news, past event not future speculation.

3. The job of the preacher is to remind God's people that "GOD REIGNS." In difficult times people need to know that God controls the affairs of man. All of them. All the time. We also need to know He is in charge during the good times, lest we take credit for our own success.