Being A Leader vs. Being In Charge

Are we leading or are we just in charge?

Sometimes, we leaders have a name plate on our door and a business card in our pocket that identifies us as “large and in charge.” Our authority is conferred upon us by power or position. We worked hard to earn it and we’ll fight hard to keep it.

But Jesus said things would be distinctly different in his Kingdom:

• In his Kingdom, true leadership will be measured by how well we serve others.
• Leadership will be demonstrated by the bowl and the towel rather than the scepter and the throne.
• Even though we are called to excellence, it will be his calling rather than our excellence that gives us authority.
• The way we treat those least able to reciprocate and those who have offended us the most will differentiate us from people who simply use others to achieve their goals.

You and I can lead without a title, without a business card and without a degree.

When we learn to lead like Christ led, people will be drawn to follow us just as they followed him.  But make no mistake—they’re not following us, they’re following him.

I am so tempted to believe that I deserve my place on the platform; that I’ve worked long and hard to earn the right to be followed. That may be true in the kingdom of this world, but a better worship leader than I once wrote, “The kingdom of this world has become...the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.”

Lead on, O King Eternal.

 --For other helpful blogs about leadership development for worship pastors and choir directors, go to DiscoverWorship.com.