Do You Own Workboots?

“Since most churches and ministries are far more concerned with what degrees leaders have and how wide their circle of influence spreads, leaders spend most of their time getting Christian Leadership degrees and networking. Neither seminary nor conferences focus on really practical skills like communicating "with" people and good analysis through prayer. Which is understandable because communicating "with" and analysis through prayer are not flash skills but rather trades learned while in the trenches, fighting, bleeding and dying alongside those you serve.”

The Church has unfortunately modeled itself after business. Don’t get me wrong – remember, I love leadership books. I have many favorites like “Lincoln on Leadership”, “Good to Great”, “Top Ten Mistakes that Leaders Make”, and “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.” However, those truths need to be culled to find what matches Biblical Truth (which has been proven and is not faddish) and then implemented with wisdom.

Many churhces and Christian organizations now have Christians who are great Leaders rather than Christian Leaders. Christian Leadership has to be based on Biblical Truth and Wisdom not on man’s truths or thoughts. I have always said, “If an unbeliever applies Biblical Eternal Truths, he will find himself a better life and success in the eyes of man because the truths are much like formulae and are designed for all men. They are eternal like gravity and are not respecters of men.” Likewise, if Christians apply successful business structures and principles to the Church it is most likely that these principles will work. However, the result may not be what is Biblically desired and even worse the leaders may have to adopt many principles that make no sense in God’s wisdom.

For example, many pastors and leaders now sign contracts for a predetermined salary, term, and parachute benefits (that is benefits for early termination not as a result of failure to perform one’s duties.) It seems great for churches and congregations because they know they won’t have to put together a Search Committee unless something terrible happens. It seems great for the leader because he doesn’t have to worry about being let go for some silly reason. It is big church just like big business. It is important to keep the key man. Makes sense – right?

How far is it from the Christian artist who sign a contract with a “Christian Label” that is owned by secular business only to find that they can no longer play a song in their church? Is this really what God wants for us? It seems that sometimes secular business practices create masters for us that we serve regardless of God. What would happen if God really wanted the pastor with a contract to move? Please don’t tell me that God knew he wouldn’t need to move so God annointed the contract – I will spontaneously combust. The Bible is clear that if we are all serving God there will be one leading. The Bible is also clear that at the hands of those who are not serving God alone we may suffer. Such is the price of CHRISTIAN leadership.

Christian Leadership is not leadership by command or pay. Christian Leadership first leads people to mature until they want to serve like their Savior. Then Christian Leadership leads those Emerging Leaders to become Support Staff and beyond. In business people serve because of livelihood and for a paycheck. Some really great employees serve for that but also for pride (the good kind of pride!). If the only reason a musician is willing to serve is to get a paycheck, then are they willing to serve? But hey, let’s not blame them – most pastors wouldn’t serve for free just to serve God.

These are the symptoms of leaders who have never been in the trenches and who no longer fight in the arena but instead “tell” people how to fight and watch them wage the battle. These are the symptoms of leaders who may be very successful at managing and going new places but who are motivating their followers using rewards and paychecks. You will note that I did not say they were Christian Leaders. A Christian Leader first leads the people (no matter how few or many) to Christ where they find the character and desire to outserve the Christian Leader. It can happen but first the Christian Leaders must return to Christ mimicking leadership and not just the wisdom of earth. More on that tomorrow.