Leadership

What makes someone a leader?  Is it something ingrained in them since birth?  Is it a learned skill?  Is it just because they are pushy?

We all have encountered many different types of leaders in our life.  The boss with the Napoleon Complex, the scout leader who is secretly preparing for the apocalypse, and the reluctant leader.  The person who stupidly raised his hand at a meeting or, even worse, didn't show up to the meeting and got voted in.

I am a reluctant leader.  I don't feel like I have any credentials to lead, but I care a little too much and see a need and want to fill it.  That involves raising your hand.  I presently carry a few "official" leadership positions.  I am the "office manager" at my job.  Though I only "manage" one almost perfect employee who requires little guidance, I'm still the manager!  I mostly manage large amounts of paperwork.  But I'll tell you, if those papers get out of hand I threaten them with the shredder and they straighten right up!

I am also a ministry director at my church.  I am the director over the Connections area.  That means greeters, hospitality, manna delivery to newcomers and helping hands to people who need meals, rides, etc.  This is one of those "I raised my hand" situations.  I thought "I like to greet people and make them feel welcome.  I can do this."  Also, a former, and I mean former, good friend really needed me to take this on so she could get out of it (you know who you are!)  I have learned a lot about leadership through this experience.  First, don't expect that the people you are leading will have the same passion that you do right out of the gate.  You have to exhibit and live out passion for it to be catchy.  Second, close to nobody reads emails anymore.  Third, develop tough skin.  I have some great leaders under me who handle many of the facets of this ministry without a whimper, and for them I am eternally grateful!

Lastly, I am a leader of a ladies community group.  Leadership over something you have a true investment in is both the easiest and hardest thing you will do.  I love each lady who comes to the group once or every week.  I love each lady who even thinks about coming.  I truly want to see each lady grow closer to God and closer to each other; to build strong relationships with each other.  This starts with me, and this terrifies me.  I've never been great at being a close friend and this is the kind of leadership that is required.  I will make mistakes and will hopefully be met with grace, but, inevitably, I will hurt someone, maybe more than one.  But, maybe, I will help someone, maybe more than one, and that will be worth it.

The greatest examples of leaders in my life have been servant leaders.  Men and women who spur me on to be a better person not only by their words, but by the life they lead, by getting in there and getting their hands dirty, sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally.  Isn't this what we all want?  Someone to meet us where we are at, to experience our joys and pains with us, to come along side us and say it's okay, but to also show us a way out of our circumstance.  Hmm, this sounds familiar. . . .

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  Hebrews 4:14-16