I listened to a guy by the name of Gary Haugen talk yesterday. Gary is the president of the International Justice Mission. He said this…
“Just because I’m leading and people are following doesn’t mean that I’m leading them in things that matter to God.”
I can lead.
I’ve led since I was a kid.
Leadership comes natural to me.
It’s my gift.
The question is, am I using my leadership to lead, inspire, challenge and motivate people toward the things that matter to God?
I’m facing some big decisions over the next couple of weeks. In my mind, they are some of the biggest decisions I’ve made in my short years of ministry. The stakes are high. I’m praying today that these decisions will help lead people toward the things that matter most to God.
So how about you? Many of you are leaders. You’re leaders in your church, leaders in your neighborhood, in your workplace, in your home with your kids. People are following. The question is:
Are you leading them in the things that matter to God?
Wow, that’s a great quote. I hadn’t really thought about it that way before. Those of us who are leaders sometimes think that if people are following us we must be doing ok. Great reminder.
Gary Haugen is awesome by the way. I first heard him speak at Catalyst a couple of years ago. Amazing leader and a great organization.
I think that is the daily battle for me…am I where God wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do. I think I would say that most of the time I am, but I know there are moments when I fail. I think accountability is key in leadership, whether it is leading a ministry or being a mom. I need women in my life that are not afraid to sharpen me and call me out when I need redirection.
I’ll be keeping you in prayer Pastor Pete! Emily
Wow. I am so super excited to see what and where you are going with this. I love your heart and will totally stand with Emily (and assume a lot more people) in prayer for you and your Mrs. Yay!!!
Ahhh, the timeliness of your post. Struggling right now with the sobering feelings of leading my children to Christ. So scary to realize the awesome responsibility of raising them to be good, decent, CHRISTIAN people. Easy to get wrapped up in the day to day chaos and not focus on guiding them to God.
Wow, you set me straight. I needed to hear this today. Thanks, Pete
Thanks for sharing! There are many times I think I end up just leading. It is our jobs as leaders to lead people to God becasue He is all that matters.
That’s a great question to ask ourselves as we lead others.
I’ll be praying for you as you make these big decisions over the next couple of weeks!
Pete, the honest answer for me is I don’t know. I don’t know if I am leading the people that I manage in things that matter to God, in my house I try to, at church I try to, and at work I try to. I seek Him in my decision making process. That is a good question. Thank you friend, I’m praying for you.
I pray that I am. I have also always led although I don’t really think of myself as having typical leader qualities. I have great vision and I love people and can see the whole picture and for some reason end up in charge alot. But my method is very different than most other leaders.
I pray my view will always be eternal. I pray I will always have a humble heart that serves first and loves always. I pray I will always be on my face seeking God Almighty. I pray by all of this I MODEL the things that matter to God. That’s my prayer today.
Good thoughts.
Probably not, I really need to learn how to do this better. With my kids that is. I don’t really lead anywhere else. Leading makes me nervous.
Great post Pastor Pete! I’ve thought about the role of a leader a lot and that question never came up in my mind. I’m grateful you’re here and that you blog.
thanks for the traffic, and being “without wax”
I know some will think this is wrong, but I am the leader in my home. I have the stronger work ethic, responsbility level and I am straight-forward, logical thinker – which keeps our household running smoothly. I’m also the spiritual leader. If I don’t make the effort to attend church, hubby wouldn’t go. I don’t mind it. I’ve always been a leader. It seems to work for us. May not be ideal, but it is my gift and my responsibility to lead my family.
What a wonderful and thought-provoking post! Thank you! I so enjoy reading your post each day! I pray the Lord will give you wisdom as you contemplate His plan in the decisions you have to make over the days ahead. God bless!
I hope so and think so. I always pray that I am not leading people to do the good I see but the good that God is asking me to see and do. I have learned there can be a real difference.
Thank you guys for your prayers!
wow – what a loaded question! As a wife, mom and church member, I am doing my best ever with HIS help to be the leader He wants me to be. We pray daily with our kids that He will make us strong, brave and true leaders to serve Him. It is not easy.
We are praying that God will make you and your family strong, brave and true leaders of His word Pete. Praying also that He directs your paths in His will and way!
i am wired to lead…can’t and don’t want to change that…i pray that i am leading in every area of my life, towards God…i strive to do so…i do everything to lead and stay out of God’s way as He leads me…
@angie i am in total agreement with you. i am in the season of life where my biggest leading opportunity is with my children. trying to maintain a christ-like example for them knowing that i am one of their biggest influencers is very overwhelming. definitely one i don’t want to screw up!
I hope so. I don’t have a family, but I am the person all of my friends come to for any reason [probably because I'm always home and they know where I'm at
] But I try to be aware of my answers and advice so that I’m not just agreeing with them [yeah... your husband is being a jerk] but instead pushing them toward communication, forgiveness and other perspectives. Hopefully that’s leading while still giving them comfort or humor when they need it.
Mostly I think I just try very hard to lead by example more than words. Good thing I’m not a pastor or I’d be at a loss for things to say!
I’ll be praying for you that your decisions are ones that bring you joy, and bring joy to the Lord.
sara
http://www.gitzengirl.blogspot.com
Praying for you as you ponder this life choice. I have to say that recently I was leading and it wasn’t to God. It was odd because I thought it was what God would want…sacrifice, give of self ect, but it was a total disaster and looking back, I see that it wasn’t of God at all. Sometimes even when we do the thing we think is godly, if we don’t take the time to seek God, it can lead people in the wrong direction. I thinks it’s awesome that you are questioning and encouraging us to do the same! Good stuff! Shelby
Are you leaving cp?
I love your blogs because they are so interactive and they cause you to think. I am not a “leader” so to speak. I guess I am to some people. People that are younger then me, that are watching every move I make. People that I work with even if I am not superior to them. I also sing on the praise team. But as far as having the label of a leader, I do not. However I do feel called to a type of leadership. I feel God has called me to be a singer. That’s not all I feel God is calling me to do. I know I am called to be a mother. That’s perhaps the biggest leadership there is along with fatherhood. My hope and desire would be that I would lead them ONLY in the things that matter to God. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will be praying to fulfill this in my future as well as where he has placed me now. It’s a very convicting thought. Thank you for being so honest, So real. It’s a blessing. I can’t wait to visit CP one day.
WOW, I am a leader too, and its funny, I know that I have the ability to lead people to Jesus and lead people away. I don’t always see it that way but I know its true. I need to make it a daily prayer that I am keeping close to His heart for His people. I know that if I want to sway something good or bad I can do that, people listen to me. I don’t want to get to the place where I have no regard for Jesus, you know? Its so easy when we have gifts and talents to lose focus. Thanks for this blog and for this reminder. I am not making conscious decisions as it sounds like you are in the upcoming weeks but I am making daily ones that have impact on those I influence and to make sure that I have an eternal view. Thanks again
Great Challenge Pete. Lord bless you at this fork in the road in your serving Him.
Re: Mosesonmissions
Yes, I could not agree more !!
As always, Pete, you make me stop and think a little deeper, fall on my face a little quicker. In some ways we work so hard to lead that we only find ourselves at the head of a parade, not a ministry team. Parades usually march in predetermined routes for no purpose but to entertains. Hmmm. Pretty good analogy for a whole lot of churchy issues. Thanks!
http://www.glocal.net/blog/comments/why-christians-will-not-help-the-poorest-nations/
Hi Pete.
As I told you in a recent conversation, the biggest eye-opener for me regarding leadership was recently discovering that every leader who ever led has strengths, weaknesses, and areas of uncertainty. Sometimes the more strengths my leaders have, the less tolerant I am of their weaknesses and uncertainties because it comes as such a surprise when I discover them- the pedestal metaphor comes to mind.
I have spent too much time beating myself up about my weaknesses and there have been times I held in contempt the weaknesses of those who lead me, both of which only serve to weaken the leaderhsip potential of my leaders as well as my own potential. It’s been a relief to discover that weaknesses in leadership are evenly distributed…all leaders have them. Learning this has helped me tremendously in striving to lead people toward God (through faith) rather than falling prey to wanting to lead people to my way of thinking (through insecurity). Learning that it’s possible to not let my weaknesses diminish my leadership comes as such a releif. I don’t have to be perfect. I can simply ask for the prayers of those I lead, as you have done here, and trust that God will fill in the blanks. Now, if I can only remember that….
You are in my prayers.
Gary was extremely impacting. I couldn’t type fast enough to keep up with all the incredible nuggets he was throwing out. What an amazing perspective and attitude he has.
this quote from him nailed me! I can work so hard on doing and moving, that I lose site of why or for who. It becomes meaningless. I truly want value and meaning in every aspect of my life.
Hey Pete!
)! Hope you guys are doing well.
Gary Haugen is incredible, isn’t he? I googled ‘Gary Haugen speaking schedule’ and this was one of the top results and I thought “Hey! I know that guy (sorta
Heckuva good job. I sure apercpiate it.
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