Leadership has become a big deal for me not only in my role as dean of the Billy Graham School, but also as my denomination (the Southern Baptist Convention) faces transitioning leadership at multiple levels. I am particularly burdened about reaching out to and working with young leaders who are the future of our churches. Given my interest, the November 2009 copy of US News and World Report – an edition that focused almost entirely on leadership – caught my attention.
I read it thoroughly, digesting the comments and thoughts of mostly secular leaders. What grabbed me, though, was just how applicable so many comments are to the church world. Below are some of the words of these leaders, with my corresponding remarks about church application indicated by asterisks (**). Read on, and be willing to be challenged.
“If you’re not thinking about something that’s bigger than life, bigger than you are, then your organization isn’t going to grow.” Bill Magee, philanthropist, speaking about his work, Operation Smile
**Seldom does a church grow if the leaders do not have a clear vision that is God’s vision, one that demands His intervention and power. If we can do what we do in our own strength and ability, nothing we do really matters.
“We have come to realize that the economic crisis was less a matter of subprime mortgages than subprime leadership.” David Green, columnist, quoting Bill George of the Harvard Business School
**By its very nature, leadership affects others. Lead well, and others grow and are blessed. Lead poorly, and others pay a price. We who care for the souls of people must not take this task lightly.
“Massive failures can often be traced back to leaders who don’t listen.” Tamara Lytle, columnist, quoting William Baker, author of Leading with Kindness
**When we choose not to listen to those we lead, we call into question the wisdom of God who puts His church together as He wishes so that we learn and grow together. An unwillingness to listen to others is simply arrogance.
“It turns out that being an extrovert is highly correlated with being chosen as a leader but not with being a good one.” Lytle, quoting Timothy Judge, chair of management at the University of Florida Business School
**Personality may attract a crowd, but it does not equal godly wisdom, a humble spirit, and sacrificial living. Sometimes, in fact, personality takes center stage and robs God of His glory. God forgive us when our name becomes more important than His.
“A lack of both training and role models for future leaders can contribute to failures.” Lytle, quoting Karen Rothenberg, former dean of the University of Maryland Law School
**When the church grants leadership positions to those who have attended the longest rather than those most gifted—and we then throw them into the work without training them—we should not be surprised when they fail. Nor should we be surprised when generation after generation “leads” the church to mediocrity. Few healthy role models remain, as one generation of untrained leaders produces another untrained generation.
“Leadership is taught. It is not innate. There aren’t many places that teach leadership. Mentoring is probably the most effective way of influencing a younger person’s life. There’s not even a close second.” Karen Mathis, head of Big Brothers Big Sisters
**With all of our programs and teaching, mentoring is still the best way to teach and make disciples. That’s the way Jesus did it, and that’s the way Paul followed suit. The classroom—as important as it is—cannot match life-on-life learning. If only the church would catch up with the world here….
“We remind our players that name on the front of the jersey (North Carolina) is more important than the one on the back (their own).” Roy Williams, University of North Carolina basketball coach
**What a word to the church of Jesus Christ, made up of many parts designed to point to and give honor to the head. Simply put, church is not about us. It is about God’s people working together to glorify Christ.
“We try to give a message of quality in everything that we do, and we think that that starts with the people. It doesn’t do much good to have a quality image, whether it’s with the facility or whether it’s with the merchandise, if you don’t have real quality people taking care of your customers.” Jim Sinegal, CEO of Costco
**Surely the words “customers” and “merchandise” make us uncomfortable, but the truth remains. God’s people should be the best and give their best, and we must expect nothing less than that from those whose lives are a witness to Christ and to His church. Raise the bar rather than lower it if we want to be effective churches.
“These young adults don’t tend to want to write the check. They want to be involved. They like that feeling of giving back in person.” Colleen Carroll Campbell, author of The New Faithful: Why Young Adults are Embracing Orthodox Christianity
**Enough said. Give young people something significant to do in the church, or they will find some place else to invest. They will, I am convinced,write the check, but only if they know the check makes a difference.
The church is not a business, but the business world can still teach us. May God help us to listen with discerning, but open, ears.
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US News and World Report, Vol 146 No. 10 (Nov 2009)
