Lawrence had been struggling for days. He just wanted some insight into how the leadership team could have come to him. Yes, he had been a faithful member of the church for years, but any thought of joining the ranks of key leadership of his congregation had been unthinkable.
Lawrence, called Larry by his closest friends, was just a simple man. The story of his 38 years had been a challenging one for him. Having grown up in an abusive home as a child, he did not think his life would ever measure up. What could the leadership team be thinking?
Larry would always be grateful that his wonderful friend, Marsha, had introduced him to the amazing power of the gospel. (By the way, Marsha is now his wife.) His life as a child and teenager and even during his young adult years had been scarred with hard living.
His first marriage had ended in enormous pain of heavy alcohol abuse and infidelity. Through the introduction into the life-changing power of God’s love for him, he became a changed man. Christ had transformed his life from pain to renewed joy.
While he considered himself a faithful follower of Christ, Larry was not sure about this next adventure. How could God use him as a leader in his congregation? What did he have to offer? How could he possibly make a difference in the Kingdom cause of his local congregation? What did the leadership team see in him to ask him to be a leader?
He and Marsha had a long discussion over the evening meal about this possibility. They finally decided to go see Pastor Rick about Larry’s struggles with the choices he faced. Pastor Rick met them at the local Starbucks to talk through their leadership conversation.
Larry shared his struggles about the leadership position and opened up with Pastor Rick, “How can I be a leader in this congregation?”
Rick thought carefully about his question. He had been reading a book recently called Strengths-Based Leadership. The book was published by Gallup Press. Rick opened up.
“Larry, have you heard of the Gallup organization? They are probably best known for their polls in politics and business organizations. A few years ago, they concluded a study on the strengths of individuals serving in organizations. This material was called Strengths Finders. You can find it in lots of bookstores and on the web. This latest book looks at the strengths from a leadership perspective. What strengths do leaders bring to their organization? What are followers looking for in their leaders?”
Larry was intrigued. “It sounds like an interesting study. What does this have to do with my question?”
“I think you’ll find it interesting, Larry, to hear what people were looking for in their leaders.” Pastor Rick shared. “I think it has something to say about what people see in you for a leadership role in our congregation.”
Build trust
“The first characteristic that followers are looking for in their leaders is trust. Trust is such a key commodity in relationships today. Many leaders have broken the trust of people who are following them, and people are nervous about whom they can believe.
“Just think about the disciples and Jesus. Jesus spent a great deal of time with them and showed through his actions and his commitment that the disciples could believe in him.
“Larry, people in our church are looking for leaders that they can trust. They are looking for people whose lives have been changed and have integrity about their walk with the Lord. They see that in you. Our people see you as someone who follows Jesus faithfully. They see you as a model for who they want to become. That is why they are looking to you. They trust what God is doing in your life.
“Larry, we need leaders who people trust. People trust you. Since they trust you, you can help us build a community of trust and grace. We walk people through difficult journeys. They need a community of leaders who can walk alongside them. As you serve as a leader, you can help our congregation define what effective trust looks like in a Christ centered fellowship. We can live as a community of people who trust the Lord and trust each other.”
Exhibit compassion and care
Pastor Rick was on a roll now. He moved into the second point of the conversation.
“Larry, a second characteristic followers are looking for in leaders according to this study is compassion. You have learned the importance of compassion in your life. In your study of Scripture, you have seen how Christ modeled compassion to his disciples and to people in the community who needed love and connection. You are a compassionate soul. Your compassion as a leader will allow us to develop a caring and supportive environment for people who need to know the Lord.
“We need people like you who can create a connection between the love of God and the love of his people. That is one of your greatest strengths.
“Too many people see leadership as a power-play. Jesus taught us that leadership is found in a towel and basin. Remember the story of Jesus with his disciples on that last night as recorded in John 13.”
Larry stopped Pastor Rick. “Pastor, God has been so good to me. His compassion through Marsha and other friends has carried me through my own journey. That is one place I can gladly share.”
Calibrate change and transition
Pastor Rick continued. “Larry, you have so much to offer to our Lord and to our congregation. I see you even in these last two characteristics. The third characteristic that followers are looking for in a leader is stability. And you have become a very stable individual. Christ has seen you through lots of hard knocks in life.
“The one sure thing about life in the present world is change. That is even true for our congregation. Due to the rapid change around them, many of our people are overwhelmed with changes that even our church must make. They need leaders like you who look at change as an opportunity for transformation rather than change for change’s sake. Our people are afraid, and they need people around them who can help calibrate the changes that are occurring.
“Many different emotions are experienced as people go through life changes and the complex changes that happen in the church. We need leaders like you who can stand up for the transformation that God is calling us to as individuals and as a community of faith. When people know that a stable person like you is willing to struggle with the changes that are occurring, they will be willing to struggle alongside you. A significant part of your leadership role will be to help people see how God is at work in the changes around them.”
Larry laughed, “Rick, no one likes changes except a baby in the preschool area. Even I know that. How can I possibly help people deal with change?”
“Change is not easy for anyone,” Pastor Rick continued. “People need to know that you are willing to walk alongside them through all the emotions they will face. They see you as a stable leader. They know that you will not lead them into something that they cannot face. Sometimes they will get angry; sometimes they will get depressed; and all through it, they will know that you are alongside them. I think it is like being a peacemaker that Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount. You can do it.”
Elicit hope
“People will also follow you because of the fourth thing they are looking for in a leader. They are looking for someone who can give them hope. Larry, you are seen as a hopeful person. You know that God is not finished with our congregation. You know that God has more for us to do. Your hopeful disposition allows our people to see possibilities rather than problems. God has taken you through many stretches of life that have been very difficult, but you have remained hopeful. You can be the kind of leader that helps us celebrate God’s vision for our congregation. You can lean on your own understanding of what God is doing in a changing world. People need to celebrate that God continues to work in the midst of an uncertain future. Your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ brings hope to our congregation. We need leaders just like that. Help us celebrate that we serve a God of an empty tomb who is ready to transform anyone’s life.”
When Pastor Rick finished, Larry and Marsha were overwhelmed. Larry had never looked at himself as a leader before this conversation. Somehow, Pastor Rick gave him a new hope. Maybe he could make a difference if he just stayed open to what the Lord was doing in his life. Larry knew that he could build trust, share compassion, help create a change environment, and instill hope. Maybe there was a place for him after all in the leadership network of his congregation. God kept changing his life; maybe he could help create an environment for others to see transformation take place.
If a person asks you what a leader does in your congregation, what answers do you give? What do people see in you as a leader?
Ken Kessler ([email protected]) is team leader of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s empowering leaders team.