Lorne Sanny on the Leadership shortage
One reason leaders are scarce is that a true leader must also become a manager—and it’s hard to be both. A leader has to become a manager or he’s limited to that which only he can do.
A manager coordinates people’s efforts by defining the following four areas for those they manage: (1) What am I supposed to do? (2) Will you let me do it? (3) Will you help me when I need it? (4) Will you tell me how I’m doing? But that is not enough.
A leader brings the extra needed dimensions: vision to see what ought to be done; faith to believe it can be done; and courage to persevere until it is done.
Leadership requires three areas: character, knowledge, and skill. Not only does it require a price to develop the necessary skills, but it is also costly to develop character. There is a shortage of Christian leadership because of the unwillingness to pay the price—and it begins with character. Unfortunately, we’re seeing Christendom riddled with problems because of character defects.
Leadership requires character more than competence. And character takes quite a while to build. It has to be tested. That’s why The Navigators have never attempted to build disciples over a weekend conference. It takes time.
One way the church can develop strong leaders is through a vital small group ministry. Effective, healthy leadership development requires accountability. Small accountability groups—which can consist of only two people—are probably the best way to build character and the godly qualities of leadership. The higher one goes in leader ship, the more he needs one-on-one accountability in his personal Christian life and character.
Another way the church can develop leaders is to encourage and provide mentors. I believe that Christians ought to be hooked together in two ways: They each need someone as their mentor and they each need to be mentoring someone else. That two-way hook is probably the fastest way to build depth and character in people.
Discipleship Journal – – Discipleship Journal.
