Leadership kindergarten - 4

Leadership Platforms

When you are becoming a spiritual leader, where do you practice your skill and calling? Sadly, many people read books and go to seminars on leadership, they hone their skills and discipline their lives, all for investing their leadership in a career. As important as that may be, there are greater fields on which to play the game, greater arenas to fight the battle, greater stages on which to act out our leadership.

A spiritual leader will lead first in his or her family.

Deuteronomy 6, Ephesians 5 and 6 talk about how you should lead and live in your family.

A spiritual leader will lead in his or her church.

1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 talk about using your gifting and personality to lead the ministries of the church.

A spiritual leader will lead in his or her community.

A spiritual leader will lead in his or her workplace.

Let’s end by tackling the 2nd question from the beginning of our conversation. Are you a leader?

There’s a constant debate in the study of leadership: are leaders born or bred? Is leadership natural or nurtured? Do you just have to be born with the personality and talent of a leader, or can you learn the knowledge and sharpen the skills of being a leader?

In my observation, the answer is “both.” I can think of examples of people, who are natural leaders, and those who have grown into leadership, but the bottom line is, no matter what amount of leadership you possess, you can always learn and grow into the leader God wants you to be.

You may not feel like a leader due to your picture or definition. You may only think of the dynamic, onstage leader who is inspiring 1000s. But leadership comes in different makes and models. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us there are different giftings and callings in the Body of Christ. My leadership style will look different from yours.

Are you a leader? Watch out for the Moses-syndrome. In Exodus 3-4 Moses, a simple, blue collar sheep herder was approached by Almighty God in a burning bush to tackle one of the greatest leadership challenges of all times – lead 2 million Jews out of Egyptian slavery into their new homeland. What would you have done if it were your burning bush? How would you have answered God? Moses answered with excuses, protests, “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t”. But God overrode his defense. God said “I’m calling you to this mission, I’ll equip and resource you for this mission, and I’ll be with you for this mission!” End of job interview, pick up your staff and get moving!

God has called you to serve Him, to help lead people toward Him. He’ll equip and resource you, and he WILL be with you. Don’t be afraid; move forward with passion on this great adventure!

To be continued… as you lead!