Leading From Weakness
Since being a leader in ministry, I've learned many things about leadership. I've learned that as you climb the ladder, you lose more of your rights. I've learned you need to lead by example. I've also learned that empowering others is key.
But there's one thing that I'm currently learning that I haven't heard any of my peers or colleagues share. It's something that demands a lot of guts and requires a level of surrender.
The idea I'm talking about is leading from weakness. (yeah...i know.)
Let me first say that my current assignment is joyous. The relationships I've found with co-workers have been tremendous--they're uplifting, strategic, and crazy fun! The meetings with students I've had so far have been the building blocks of what I feel will be foundational to our ministry. Though it's a slower process and the definition of success is different than what I'm used to, it's simply joyous. I'm at peace here.
That said, I've felt (internally) that I should be leaps and bounds ahead of where I currently am. Again, the definition of success is different for me where I'm serving. Before, it was easy to build routine and rhythm. There was a culture of buy-in already established before I started work.
Now, I have opportunity to help blaze a cultural trail of buy-in, affirmation, honesty, and truth. But it's a march. Sometimes, that march isn't through grassy plains, but through grimy trenches. When you have 40 plates and your job is to spin those plates on the little stick and make sure that none of them fall off, it can be exhausting. It can be brutal...
And that's where leading from weakness comes in. While it doesn't sound charismatic or appealing, leading from weakness can be an asset in leadership.
1. Leading from weakness demands a lot of guts
I mentioned that my former assignment already had a culture of buy-in and things like rhythm and routine were normal. It was already pretty well established, having over 500 people involved. The values and ideas taught will forever be in my psyche as long as I continue in ministry. They were that good.
So why leave that and go where it's not established and culture isn't formed?
The Jesus answer would be "God called us to do that," (which is the right answer). But it also took courage and dreaming vision. Anytime you transition, it's a step of courage. To go from a mansion to a small, suburb house is a step of courage. To go from an iPhone to an Android is a step of courage (kidding!...but not really). To go from a "guaranteed" paycheck week-to-week to relying on faithful friends and partners to send in their monthly contribution so you can eat, have a place to live, and stay warm is a step of courage.
It also took dreaming of something that isn't here yet. The story has been told of Walt Disney's wife, Lillian, appearing at the opening of the newest theme park "Walt Disney World" in Orlando, FL. after Walt had already passed away. A friend leaned over to Lillian and said, "Shame that Walt isn't here to see all this." To which Lillian replied, "He did see it. That's why it's here." I've never been to Disney World before but I imagine that I would want ministry here to be like that. A place (and family) full of dream and passion come to fruition for many generations to enjoy.
2. Leading from weakness requires a level of surrender
There will be times after you've exhausted yourself, trying to make your mission happen in your own strength, that you want to throw in the towel.
And I think you should do that.
Say what?
You should throw in the towel in regards of trying to do it all on your own. There's nothing worse than exhausting yourself when you don't have to. If you're fortunate to have team members around you, disperse the work amongst one another. Many hands make light work! More importantly, you should ask Jesus to help!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
A level of surrender requires enough humility to say, "I've tried doing it my way and in my own strength for too long. It's time to give some of this over."
There's nothing wrong with asking Jesus and team members for help. There IS something wrong when you know you're getting crushed with the weight of your mission and you do nothing to reduce it. You jeopardize not only yourself and the mission, but your team as well when you don't share the stresses and workload that come with your mission. Your mission affects all who are involved.
If you need more guts to lead from weakness or need to surrender enough to allow others to help in the mission, know that you are not alone. God weakened Himself when he put on the human outfit and walked among us. He ministered to thousands, but pastored 12 (and one who betrayed him! Talk about small beginnings...) His ministry led him to pray a prayer of surrender in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39-44) that led to His death.
It took courage.
It took surrender.
Jump in and lead from weakness for a month. Take a step of courage toward something you normally wouldn't.
Allow others to come into your journey (especially God!) and see what a difference it can make!
