NEEDED: AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP

Leadership.  Now there is an admirable word.  We want our children to learn it, our women to understand it, and we especially want our men to possess it.  Yet, leadership has been mistakenly masked by being the boss or running the show.  

In essence leaders are oft not leading; but rather are standing at the front of the line functioning in defensive survival.  In other words, we don't care if we win the game, we just don't want anyone to get hurt.  This could be noted in the church where reaching the lost isn't a central part of our spiritual economy; keeping everyone content is.

John Eldredge notes that deep within a man's heart are fundamental questions that cannot be answered at the kitchen table.  Who am I?  What am I made of?  What am I destined for?  It is fear that keeps a man at home where things are neat and orderly and under his control.  But the answers to his deepest questions are not to be found on television or in the refrigerator.

Leadership is needed; needed in our homes, our businesses, our churches.  I speak not of being obstinately head-strong.  I speak not of ignorant bullishness.  Rather the topic approaches leaders as fearless.  If we are a part of the kingdom, a part of the body of Christ, this places a call for bravery and risk.

Churches are mediocre because members are timid, hesitant, and self-protectionary. The taking up of our crosses and following him takes place more in our songfests rather than in our feet.

Look at Jesus.  He is the Supreme Leader of leaders.  He encountered those in need and those who thought more of themselves than they should.  His leadership submitted to both.

Leading isn't winning a game by our brain nor brawn.  Leading is winning souls by risky submission. Eldredge nails our walk, It is fear that keeps a man at home where things are neat and orderly and under his control.  We are inundated with efforts to control rather than to try...and we label this leadership.  Our goals have shifted from discovery of the surprise works of God to the success reports of what would hopefully impress our colleagues.

Out on a limb has menaced our turtled heads to get back into the shell.  Don't try. Don't risk.  Don't learn by error.  Just hope against hope that you get a pass at heaven's toll booth.

I pick up from discipling groups that we are too soft; that we need to demand more and expect more.  I'm not an authority on this.  It is simply a strong message I think I receive.  One thing I believe I know about us in general is that we are failing to release the heroics of our people because we have provided both a word and a walk that will keep all basically comfortable.

To step out of the boat is a treacherous move which always looks foolish to the scaredy-cats.  Yet, to enter into a leadership capacity which might swallow our safety, our mediocrity, and our frustrating meaninglessness might just be a new and welcomed frontier for many in the church.