3 ways to cultivate a toxic leadership culture
After a job relocation, Kim settled into a new church home. Although she had limited ministry experience, as an event planner, she wanted to offer her skills for God’s use. When she volunteered her services, the leadership teams told her they were covered but would call if they needed her.
For two years she served as a greeter, a money counter on Sunday mornings, and helped set up and tear down for church events. But every time she offered her planning skills the team was “covered.” Kim watched with growing discouragement as others left the church after failing to penetrate the tight leadership circle. Finally, she too moved to a different church.
How difficult is it to “break in” to our leadership circles?
In a secular society passionate about including others, we cannot afford an atmosphere of exclusivism if we want our ministry message to be heard. Here are three common practices we can fall into that cultivate a toxic leadership culture:
1. Limiting leadership choices to personal connections.
Jesus didn’t choose leaders based on their connection to him or to members of his team. When considering leadership prospects, Jesus created a culture of inclusion by reaching beyond friends and others He already knew.
Sometimes we unwittingly create a clique-culture when we draw from the same pools and resources. This doesn’t fly in a society swift to spot any spirit of “us” and “them” in our ministries. In addition, limiting leadership prospects to personal connections can create a myopic team whose members resemble one another more than Christ.
Are we drawing from the same sources or pool of connections when selecting new leaders?
2. Limiting leadership choices to credentialed applicants
Jesus chose from a broad spectrum of individuals for his team. He chose Peter, an unschooled fisherman. Matthew, an educated tax collector. Simon, a nationalist. Two ambitious, hot-headed brothers from a wealthy family. “Nobodies” like Thomas and Jude, whom we still know little about. Jesus created an inviting, inclusive culture by mixing the educated with the uneducated, society’s upper crust with the common laborer and socially obscure.
He erased the lines between the “haves” and the “have-nots” by disallowing achievement or background to limit his leadership choices. For Jesus, it was their receptivity to forsake all and follow him that qualified them for a spot on his A-team. And his qualifications were simple: A willingness to lay aside their own agendas, follow him and learn.
In what ways are we allowing “credentials” to influence our leadership choices?
3. Limiting leadership choices to comfortable prospects
Jesus’ approach wasn’t only inviting, it was visionary. Instead of rejecting those with strong personalities or differing views, Jesus chose leaders outside of most people’s comfort zone and patiently discipled them toward his kingdom values. He didn’t expect them to be on the same page from day one. Developing his disciples took a lot of work, love, and patience. And then a lot more!
It’s easy to forget that Jesus was grooming leaders —strong, spirited individuals called to overcome enormous opposition in his name, and expected to lead others to do the same. We can emulate Jesus’ example by providing those outside our comfort zone a chance to develop into the leaders God created them to be.
How comfortable are our choices when considering new leaders?
Imagine if Jesus had limited his leadership palette to those with the broadest vision, the greatest influence, the most impressive credentials. We would have missed the phenomenon of Peter, a common fisherman, powerfully preaching an erudite sermon on the day of Pentecost. We would have missed John’s metamorphosis from corporate climber to the beloved shepherd who would teach us what it means to humbly love others.
Looking at the disciples, we don’t see 12 uber-talented men, we see the heart and power of Jesus.Isn’t this the end result we want for all our teams?
In today’s polarized society, emulating Jesus’ inspiring example will greatly strengthen our platform to proclaim the gospel message. And who knows? In such an inviting and visionary leadership culture we just may discover a potential “Peter” or “John” in our own midst.
Photo source: istock
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