Leading alongside others
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A great pleasure of leading others is leading alongside them. When we lead alongside others we get to learn from and with our team members. When we lead alongside of others we actively participate in the discipleship process with those around us.
This type of leadership, leading alongside, views people not just as staff or employees, but as individuals God has given us care over. We see ourselves as entrusted with a precious task to lead them and lead them well. Leading alongside, also called team-based leading, is growing in popularity as leaders see some of the drawbacks to traditional leadership models.
There are several types of management models that are used in the church. There are many leaders who lead from a centralized structure, which is where the boss sits at the top and every person reports to the one person in charge.
The issue is this type of leadership structure can quickly wear out the leader, as the leader is responsible for all decisions. Within this model, there is also a lack of accountability with the leader, as he answers to no one else. Whereas the centralized model places the leader at the top with no accountability, the decentralized model removes the leader entirely, making everyone equal.
This model is not biblical, as the apostle Paul notes the Spirit assigns leaders to the church (1 Corinthians 14:40). Another model is the matrix, or line organization model. This is a leadership model based on hierarchy and delegation. In the matrix, model leaders are placed in charge of various tasks and responsible for a given number of people. Each level has a corresponding level of authority to fulfill assigned responsibilities. This model was given to Moses by Jethro in Exodus 18.
Leading alongside or team-based leading expands the matrix leadership model. The leader is still the leader, still in charge, still ultimately responsible, but instead of simply delegating a particular task, the leader becomes part of the team and leads alongside of his people. The team model is built from the servant leadership model.
Mutual humility practiced toward one another for a common purpose drives the team. It is this purpose which unites and drives the team to success. Effective team leadership has the power to transform the culture of your church, improve efficiency, enhance communication among staff, increase accountability, and provide cross-training opportunities for team members. By working closely together, team members can improve their skills and expertise while balancing each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Don't underestimate the impact that a strong team leader can have on the success of your church—invest in building a cohesive and collaborative team today!
Mutual humility practiced toward one another for a common purpose drives the team.
By leading alongside others and utilizing a team leadership model, leaders and their churches can grow and benefit in many ways, all while serving Christ and his kingdom.
 | Brad Delaughter serves as Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church De Soto, MO. Brad is married to his bride, Kristin, and together they have 4 crazy kids (Jackson, Michaela, Jase, and Jacob). In addition to serving as Lead Pastor, Brad also serves as a hospital chaplain, is the Director for National Sustainability and Missouri Team Lead for Prison Seminaries Foundation and is an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn More » |
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