LEADER------SHIP

Leadership is a hard concept to get your hands around. I know I am a leader, I am viewed as a leader, yet at times I feel I have no clue on leadership. I have read all kinds of books on leadership, articles, been to the "leadership summit" conference year after year, but there are days, even weeks when I am unsure of my leadership. In my title I intentionally divided out the word "leader" and "ship." If we take the word "leader" alone we get the idea of "one who gives direction, hope and clarity of future to those around them." The word "ship" is "a vessel that sails the open waters." When we bring these two words together we get a picture of a leadership that moves toward the future even through tough and dry seasons. Yes, ships sit still at times due to harbor needs or lack of wind but they are designed to sail forward. Those of us who are leaders are designed the same way, to move forward toward a determined direction.

As I have looked back over a tough leadership season this past year I have recognized three essential aspects of leadership every leader in the church needs in order to push through tough and dry leadership seasons. The first is to stay connected to Jesus the Vine. In John 15 Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branch, apart from me you can do nothing. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." Even in tough dry times of leadership, staying connected to Jesus is a guarantee to produce fruit, to keep the leader--ship sailing. The second essential aspect of leadership is to draw other strong leaders around you. During a tough time in leadership David had his "mighty men" around him. These men put their life on the line for David, broke through enemy lines just to capture a cup of water to quench his thirst. They kept his leader--ship sailing forward. The third essential aspect of leadership is to keep moving. As Erwin McManus says, "Don't be paralyzed by the need of a perfect opportunity." In leader--ship we are designed to keep sailing forward even though at times it may not appear flashy or fast. Slow and steady defines movement just as much as flashy and fast does. Paul stated often that his goal was to maintain what God had called him to and "to run with perseverance the race set before him."

As I reflect on the great adventure of leadership within the church I know there are times when I question the tar out of my leadership, yet at the end of the day resolve to wake up the next as a leader. At times my leadership may look flashy and fast or slow and steady butI am confident for I am connected to Jesus my vine, have great leaders around me, and am still a "leader" with his "ship" running forward to the glory of God.