There are several keys to successful leadership in ministry, but one of the main keys is humility.
The humble spirit is what God desires and is what causes the windows of heaven to open to our prayers. The humble spirit helps us to walk in the assurance that God Himself is in control and our abilities play only a small role in the success of the matter at hand. The humble spirit helps guard a compassionate heart so we can continue to love like Jesus.
The humble spirit is also seen as a weakness by those who thirst for control.
One of the earliest things a new ministry can develop as part of its ethos is the respect and room for humility in the leadership.
The culture of your church/ministry must allow for humility. All too often meekness is mistaken for weakness, and a refusal to boast seen as an admission of inability or incompetence. When there are hidden issues in a “followers” heart, let a humble leader step up to lead and those hidden issues will not be hidden for long.
FOLLOWER, don’t set your default on negative.
The first words out of your mouth should not be… “well that will never work.” Learn to trust and challenge yourself to grow.
FOLLOWER, don’t assume…
The old adage is true, you really do make a… er, FOOL out of “u” and “me” when you assume. Here’s the deal, there are times you don’t know what you don’t know. The humble leader doesn’t brag, although the “assumer” lives and dies by the boast. Just because you’ve never seen the humble leader dance doesn’t mean he has two left feet.
FOLLOWER, trust your leader.
Quite frankly, if you’re not going to trust the leader then why are you there? The ministry environment is not a place to plan a coup when you smell blood; so the only reason to submit is that you trust your growth to the person over you. Remember, while you are sprinting to get to the end of the day the humble leader is running the marathon of eternal ministry.
And, with the full realization that its more possible to fix you than someone else:
LEADER, don’t tell everything you know.
Don’t be the person that others don’t know how good you are until you tell them. Be an example instead of an explainer.
LEADER, don’t do everything.
There should be somethings that you can do that no one else knows about but you. This is not hiding your gifts, but it is allowing others to operate in theirs for the glory of God and the furthering of the Kingdom. Who cares that others think you “can’t.” You can, its just healthier for them if you don’t.
LEADER, don’t blow up… but suck it up.
As a leader, you are in charge. That’s not being bossy, but being in authority. Attempt to stay far away from the line that says to another, “Like it or lump it.” You can put that message across by actions and walking out the mission and vision with clarity; but I am just saying resist the urge to scream it in the follower’s face. You’ll feel better for about 15 seconds, and then realize that the 8-year-old with a broken home was standing in the doorway listening.
The reality is that a leader is there for the betterment of the follower. Followers… allow for your leader to walk in a humble spirit without having to defend his gravitas to you at every turn.
