Leadership

What is leadership? Someone once said, if you think you are leading and no one is following, you are just out for a walk. Often, we think of leaders as the "up front" people. They are "People of influence." Although this can be true, it is not the rule. The best leaders, shepherds, mentors are the ones that are "present". If you want to have influence, then you have to do the hard work of being available. It is easy to get up and spout some lofty thoughts, or lead worship. The real influence and leading takes place on the floor. This means having what seem to be meaningless conversations sometimes. It means listening to people, whether you feel like it or not.

I can't remember one sermon or Sunday school lesson from when I was growing up, but I remember the teachers and pastors. I know the impact or lack of it, they had on my life, by watching them live.

We tend to want position and status, NOW. We want results, NOW. We want to see the impact of our words, NOW. Well, in real life it is rarely like that. We need to be in this game for the long haul. We have to be willing to do whatever it takes. In leadership, the first "must" is, you must be present. I wish it were easier. It isn't.

Peace,

K