Too Many Leaders?

Is it possible to have too many leaders in the church? Your answer will certainly depend on how you define leadership.  Here is how I define it:

In the church family, every follower of Jesus is a member, every member is a minister and every minister is a leader.

For me, leadership is not a job description, it is a character trait.  However, the problem with my definition of functional leadership is that it cuts across the grain of conventional-wisdom and practice in our churches. We all know the old idiom, “too many chefs in the kitchen spoil the pot.” Or some may be familiar with the less politically correct adage, “too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” But does this sentiment really apply to the church? I would guess that most people think it does.  A reader on my blog, “More Than Cake,” when confronted with my definition, wrote me and said,

“Joe, I agree that every believer in a member and minister, but everyone a leader? Sure, every believer could become a leader – but you seem to be miss-using the term “leader.” By its simplest meaning – in a group, the leader is the ONE person who is leading – out in front with both the authority and responsibility of decision. The others are “followers.” Without this distinction, then no one is really the leader and the group goes nowhere. See ‘committee.’”

Unfortunately in our Western culture, we prefer to think of leadership as referring to the “one person” making decisions, calling the shots and telling others what to do. I think, however, Jesus saw leadership as something deeper. Biblical leaders serve, sacrifice, and lead by example rather than force. In a healthy church, there is not “one leader”, but a fellowship of many leaders.

1. Leaders of a Different Kind

The goal of making every follower a leader in the church, does not mean all leaders have the same authority or the same purpose. A leader is…

…a teenager who influences their peer group at school
…a gal who takes initiative and leads a women’s Bible study
…the couple who hosts a home group and models hospitality
…the teenager who organizes others to serve in the community
…a woman who demonstrates integrity at her workplace
…an older man instructing a younger man in the ways of Jesus.
…my 7 year old son who gives leadership to his younger brothers,
…and yes, a leader is even the Elder who teaches and oversees the Body as a leader among leaders.

2. Leaders for a Different Time

Leadership is not a permanent job status. A mature Christian can step in and out of a leadership role depending on the situation. A leader can lead for a season and follow in another season of life. According to the book of Acts, Barnabus began the First Missionary Journey as the leader-prophet, but eventually Paul became the leader-teacher of the mission.

I know some men who have served as pastors for years, and now they have moved out of pastoral ministry into other areas of leadership. They may no longer have the “up-front role”… yet they are still great leaders, just in a different role.

3. Diversity of Leaders for a Diversity of Groups

Leadership happens in different spheres of influence. I can lead my church as an Elder, but if I go on a missions project that someone else puts together, I don’t step in and take control. According to God’s design, I allow the other person to be the leader, to set the agenda, to give direction, to speak, etc… Ultimately, even as an Elder, I am still just one brother among the many and can accept direction, honor others, be a servant, and foster leadership of others.

In summary, the church can never have too many leaders because biblical leadership is not the job description of a CEO, it is not the idea of “one man commands and everyone listens.”

Biblical leadership is a character trait of a mature disciple.

The role each one plays within the Body is very different, but in Spirit-gifted church, every follower is a leader and every leader is still a follower.

Dr. J.R. Miller is a former planter and now professor in California with his wife and three sons. He is an author and avid blogger. You can reach him at either www.MoreThanCake.org or www.EmergingLife.org.

Leading In Hard Financial Times

10 Ways to Lead During Continuing Difficult Financial Times, part 1

The “Great Recession” and the economic stagnation that has hit the US has affected churches like no other economic downturn in most of our lifetimes. Perhaps some who are still in active ministry were ALIVE during the Great Depression of the 1930s, (70+ years ago) but none of us were in active ministry during that period.

Because of that, the continuing economic stagnation and high unemployment continues to take a toll on churches. While there is great debate about whether the US faces a “double dip” recession, most experts say that any recovery in the economy will be very slow in coming. High unemployment, the continuing housing bust, tapped out consumers, concern over the US soaring debt load and (with the revolutionary turmoil in various parts of the Middle East), increasing fuel prices all conspire to keep any economic recovery slow in coming.

Churches have had to live with declining budgets, staff layoffs, reduced programming and liquidating properties at fire sale prices for several years. While there is no magic bullet, there are sound financial principles that our churches need to have been following, but we need to be reminded of their importance. Many of them are attitudinal checks:

1. See reduced budgets as a time to renew ourselves to what the church is called to be about. And by that, I don’t have simply one thing in mind. ALL churches are called to be disciple-making churches. To abandon that is to abandon the direct call of Jesus. ADDITIONALLY, however, each congregation ALSO has a unique call of God in the community in which it serves. What is it that God has specifically called your congregation to be about? Your congregation exists in your community for a unique purpose. What is it?

2. See reduced budgets as a time to prune ministries that do not bear fruit. We must take a hard look at the purpose of our churches and which programs best help us reach that purpose. Every program will have its proponents who cry that people will leave or disaster will come if the program is cut or discontinued. But leadership means taking some hard stands at times and pruning those ministries that either are unproductive or are peripheral to the main purpose(s) of the church. Across the board budget cuts are both unwise and self-defeating. Leadership must be strategic on what cuts are made.

3. See reduced budgets as a time to “rediscover” the ministry of all believers. In the (I believe mostly legitimate) concern over “excellence” in the past thirty years, churches began to pay for leadership that sometimes ought to be done by “lay” volunteers. I have known many churches in which it was easier to “just hire someone to do it” rather than recruit, train and supervise lay people to do the work. But in doing so, we have taught the church body that they are neither needed nor capable of providing what the church needs (other than dollars).

4. Difficult financial times can be a time of increased unity among church leaders. This is not a foregone conclusion, however. Difficult financial times and difficult financial decisions can result in disagreements and DIS-unity. The leadership needs to triple their communication with one another. Instead of avoiding conversations on finances and the problems that reduced finances cause, it is a time for increased conversations and prayer on what the church is to be about. It is said of marriages that hard times will bond more closely a good marriage and will shatter a bad marriage. The same can probably be said of church leadership, but we must do all that we can to create a oneness of mind and heart during this time.

5. Difficult financial times are times to be transparent with the church body. Just as communication between members of the leadership team need to increase during hard times, so does communication with the body. I have seen churches who, in a desire to be upbeat and positive, never talked about their difficult financial situations to the point that church people (thinking that everything is just fine at their church) started diverting their money to ministries and causes that were honest about their need. Being honest all along will also help more people understand when cuts and restrictions have to be made.
(to be continued..)

Dr. Calvin Habig ministered in local congregations for thirty years and currently does professional coaching with ministers and other value-driven leaders. He lives in Portland, OR. For more information, visit Cal’s website at http://www.calhabigcoaching.com/