A few years ago, our ministry team was engaged in intense strategic meetings that would determine the direction of our ministry around the globe. We had the benefit of “fresh eyes” as three millennials had recently joined our team. From their perspective, several of the ministry methods that I’d helped to pioneer over more than a decade were grossly outdated, even misguided, based on their understanding of scripture.
My opportunity, in that moment, was to remind myself that my value and security were safely in the Father’s arms. Postured this way, I could remain curious and give careful consideration to their perspectives.
Instead, I childishly interpreted their observations as criticisms of my cherished contributions to our work. My interpretation that these were personal rebukes fueled my angry, immature response.
A self-differentiated leader will surrender herself to integrity. Her integrity. She entrusts herself to God, being obedient as best she can, to what she knows to be right.
A Christian leader cannot afford to be reactive as I was. Nor can he be capricious, impetuous, or mercurial. If he is, those he leads cannot follow.
Leaders are only leaders when people follow.
-Kirk Kirlin, from the book “Leadership Courage.” more at www.KirlinCoaching.com/blog/
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