Navigating Leadership Transitions

THE LAST FEW MONTHS  HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY TRYING MOMENTS OF MY SOUL. In the midst of one of the most difficult seasons for me personally, many of the people whom I have dearly loved in our ministry have “thrown in the towel” and left our ministry leadership team.

I take it personally. Maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I need to keep people at arms length. But I can’t. I’m just not wired that way.

My leadership team is my ministry FAMILY. When someone leaves (out of character issues, or “its just time to move on”) I cannot help but feel deeply wounded at their departure; like something has torn loose in my HEART.

I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS THE FOLLOWING THOUGHT-PROVOKING STATEMENT FROM TD JAKES ON THIS TOPIC:
“If we are to avoid disappointment as pastors, we must adjust our expectations to the reality rather than the IDEAL of ministry. Idealistically, we think we have found a place of fulfillment in the pastorate. Idealistically, we believe if we lay down our lives for the sheep, we will be applauded. The truth is, the shepherd is only a steward of the sheep. The sheep are being reared for a purpose – and that purpose is neither camaraderie nor friendship. The flock will not give you a sense of family. If you expect that, then you will end up feeling betrayed. They will not give you intimacy or affection. They will take from your scarred and bleeding hands direction without affection, guidance without commitment…”

Somewhat discouraging? Yes. But it is this last line of Jakes’ statement that gives me hope:

“…Only those who make the transition from SHEEP to DISCIPLES begin to feel any level of loyalty – and that is the direct result of discipline.”

Not EVERYONE is called to be a long-term member of your flock. Some God has called only for a temporary season. When it is time, they WILL leave.

Most of the time YOU can’t change them… They are who they are – Sheep or Disciples. Our job as leaders is not to mourn over the ones who go, but to SEEK OUT the ones who desire to be disciples and offer them opportunities to take up spiritual ownership in the ministry.

If you are going to be an effective shepherd, pastor, or spiritual leader, you must be able to differentiate between the two. If you confuse the makeup of you flock, it will only lead to DISCOURAGEMENT and feelings of inadequacy as a pastor and leader.

“Go Deeper” ::Thursday Night of Coram Deo 09

Thursday Night service opened up our Coram Deo 09. We kicked it off walking through our summer camp theme: Go Deeper.

It is a spiritual challenge to all of us, no matter where we are at with our Christianity, to go deeper in our relationship with God.

You see, God wants us in the CENTER of His river of living water, where the water is over your head… there you must rely completely on Him. Unable to do it on your own, you’re immersed in Him. That is where joy is found…in the MIDDLE of the river.

Not on the EDGES, where you can choose COMPROMISE, but in the CENTER of His will – Kept at a distance from the temptations on the banks. But it is your choice to go deeper. To walk into the water where eventually you’re completely immersed. Saturated. Soaked. Drenched. Completely covered in His presence.

But instead, tragically many of us do linger in the SHALLOWS, with less than what God intends for us to have. You play it safe on the banks, trying to convince yourself that you are experiencing everything God has for you… but the truth is you only have your TOE in the water. Maybe you are content with that, just getting a tiny touch from God…

Ezek. 47:1 tells us, “Now [the Spirit of God] brought me back to the entrance to the Temple. I saw water [trickling] out from under the Temple porch to the east…” (MSG & NASB)

This word in Ezekiel “trickling,” comes from a word indicating a jar, or something with a narrow mouth. It’s the idea of just getting a little dribble…

But watch the progression here as Ezekiel’s prophecy unfolds…

Ez 47:2-6 [the Spirit of God] then took me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the gate complex on the east. The water was gushing from under the south front of the Temple. He walked to the east with a measuring tape and measured off fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet, leading me through water waist-deep. He measured off another fifteen hundred feet. By now it was a [rushing] river over my head, water to swim in, water no one could possibly walk through.

Perhaps you are just standing on the bank or have a shallow “Ankle-Deep” relationship with God right now. Maybe you have gone with God into a “Knee-Deep” or “Waist-Deep” walk with Him. Whatever the case, we see from this passage that God is calling all of us, at whatever place we are at with Him, to Go Deeper.

Darlene Zschech, at a Hillsong worship conference in 2004 said it this way:

“You’ve got to get back out into the deep water and grab onto God, because you know if He doesn’t come through, you are going to drown. That’s where you need to be.”

Building a Team… Is it worth it?

LET ME PUBLICALLY CONFESS THAT I HATE ASKING FOR HELP. I figure if I can do it myself, why should I ask someone else to do it? I feel like I am being a burden and inconveniencing others when I ask for their help in my ministry. Yet God is slowly teaching me to see leadership and teamwork differently.

Since my motorcycle accident, I have been unable to do many of the things I used to be able to do on my own. What I can do, I do much slower than I used to. When I do something, I tire out much quicker than I used to. Because of these factors, I have been “forced” by God to evolve and develop my leadership skills to include others in a greater way. Here is what I have learned so far about equipping others and building a team:

01. Building a Team is a Vulnerable Process.

True leadership requires you to rely on others. A good team is one that takes ownership and carries the load. A great team is also one that becomes a close-knit community and family. But what do you do when seasons change? Eventually people WILL step down from even the greatest of teams.

The truth is, even though I try not to, I take it personally. Any time someone leaves my team, even if it is for a valid reason, I take it personally. It wounds me. But I have learned that if I close my heart off to others so as to protect my heart from being hurt in the future, I greatly limit my ability to be – a leader.

02. Building a Team Exposes My Insecurities.

When you begin building a team, you will encounter people who can do things better than you can. People who are more gifted, more charismatic, more creative, and more effective in different arenas than you are. How you deal with your insecurities is vitally important to the growth of your team.

I have struggled at times not wanting to bring someone onto my team for fear that they will “one-up” me in one area or another. I have learned though, that the greatest leaders are surrounded by people who can do things better than the leader. I strive to be that kind of leader.  I strive to have that kind of team.

03. Building a Team is One of the Most Fulfilling Endeavors I Can Accomplish as A Leader.

Yes, people will hurt you. Yes, people will let you down. Yes, people will forget to show up, lack passion, grate on your nerves, and at times poorly represent your team and vision. But PEOPLE are the only way you will ever see your vision grow. Without others, your vision will never be more than a dream.

And when you begin to build your team, you will ALWAYS find those people who remind you “this is why I do what I do.” – People who replenish you… People who carry the vision for you when you are too tired to carry it for yourself… People who inspire you to keep going, when inwardly you are only thoughts away from “throwing in the towel”… People who will blow away your expectations with their passion and creativity to do things you could not even imagine doing yourself…. And people who will be Aaron and Hur to hold up your arms, Moses, when the call and visions of God is beyond your ability to handle on your own. Yes, building a team is a challenge… but a fulfilling one. Is it worth it? … ABSOLUTELY!

To Alliance, I am grateful that you allow me to be your leader.

And to some of my “armorbearers,” whether you know it or not… Lori, Steve, Paul, Hosanna, Katie, Allysia… Thank you for holding my “arms” when I don’t have the strength to do it on my own. I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH.