3 advantages of leading by following
Our usual breakfast group of pastors was commiserating, again, about the highs and lows of trying to lead our churches.
At some point the older, wiser denominational leader who “whined and dined” with us spoke up: “You guys need to get a hold of the concept of leading by following. Figure out how to lead your churches by following Jesus.”
It sounded just a bit patronizing, but we were ready for help. After a few questions we realized that he was talking about:
- Leading our churches forward as shepherds who experienced close, tight, soul-satisfying personal relationships with Christ
- Leading our “sheep” with a profound realization of our own “sheepishness” (our foolishness, weakness and sinfulness)
- Leading our congregations with a healthy skepticism for the latest trends in church ministry
- Proposing initiatives to our leadership teams with humility: “I’m sensing that this is the direction in which the Holy Spirit wants us to go. What do you think?”
I’ve not always led by following. Sometimes I’ve gone ahead or far behind the Good Shepherd. Other times I’ve blabbered away (like Peter about the latest tabernacle) when I should have been simply listening.
However, I think I’ve gotten it right at times and from what I have seen and heard, there seem to be some advantages to leading by following:
1. Leading by following puts the right one in charge of our ministries.
We get to help, but it’s still basically Jesus who is building His Church (Matthew 16:18). He is the head over everything for the Church (Ephesians 1:22). He is the one who will evaluate the work done by the human leaders of the Church (1 Corinthians 4:5).
I am a big believer in scooping up all the human wisdom I can get. The Book of Proverbs commends this. I read books on leadership, church health, church revitalization, etc. I thank God for all the giants whose shoulders I get to stand on.
But I also see in Acts a church which was directed—every day—by the Holy Spirit Himself. He told people where to go, what to do and what to say. The greatest apostles were not averse to His mid-course corrections. Should I be?
2. Leading by following takes the pressure off the under-shepherd.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus promised a rest which would come from humility and meekness. Have we traded this in for the kudos that come from pride and willfulness? Have we decided that we’d rather “do it our way” so that we can get the praise when “our way” succeeds?
It won’t get you any book contracts to tell a leadership team that you’re not going to share a dramatic new vision because—quite frankly—you haven’t yet received one.
If you suggest to a leadership team (as above) that you believe that the Holy Spirit is leading your congregation in a particular direction, there will be rest, not stress, if the board’s answer to you is “We’re not sure about this yet.”
3. Leading by following forces us to our knees.
I’ve heard all the arguments from all sides on the question of decision-making and knowing the will of God. Regardless, I sure want God to choose my next ministry or big ministry initiative and this drives me to prayer. Prayer is always a good thing, for it constantly reminds me of my smallness and my neediness.
The Lord is my shepherd. He leads me. It’s the only way I want to lead others.
Photo source: istock
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