What difference does your leadership make?
Remember, a "leader" is simply anyone who is in a position of influence. You might have an official leadership role (pastor, teacher, boss, supervisor, elected official, chairperson, etc.). Your leadership may also be of the informal type, as spouse, parent, committee member, citizen, friend, volunteer, etc.
A "transformational leader" is someone who uses his or her influence specifically to help others bring about needed change. This can happen in many different ways, but chiefly, transformational leaders work with individuals, co-workers, employees, or other groups to develop a new or better vision for their church, institution, or organization. They may show the way and inspire others to follow, but they will also function as facilitators of processes that draw on the perspectives and abilities of others. They will be skilled at working with people and listening to, envisioning with, and 'enabling individuals and teams to take needed action.
Regardless of what kind of leadership style or opportunities you might have, how effective are you? What difference are you truly making?
From a Christian point of view, your ability to be a transformational leader depends more on what God does than on what you do. Yet, you are the conduit or vehicle that God uses to change lives. How many of the following indicators of transformational leadership are evidenced in your ministry or service to others?
* Do others gain greater clarity, understanding, and direction related to needed changes because of your leadership?
* Are they inspired or motivated to pursue those changes?
* Do they feel encouraged personally or as a team?
* Are they better equipped to use their own gifts in leadership and service? Is there evidence that they are now serving more fruitfully?
* Is their faith stronger, more alive, or better informed because of your input, guidance, example, and encouragement?
* Is real change taking place that fits with your sense of calling, the mission of your church or organization, and your highest values and priorities?
There are countless ways God might want to use you to build the kingdom or strengthen your brothers and sisters in Christ.
The question is, is it happening in your life and leadership? And, what could you do to become an even more effective transformational leader for the sake of Christ and his kingdom?
Helping pastors and other Christian leaders answer questions like these is what Faith, Hope, and Love Global Ministries is all about. Every year, I travel globally to teach, inspire, and encourage theological students, who are preparing to become pastors and ministers, and pastors, who are already serving Christ in leadership roles.
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| The Spirit-Led Leader students (UETS) |
This spring, after serving three months in Asia (Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia), I worked in Europe (Ukraine and France) and in the USA (Minnesota and Nebraska). In Ukraine, I taught "The Spirit-Led Leader" intensive course over four days as part of the Transformational Leadership master's program under the direction of Fyodor Raychynets, at the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS). At the end, many of the students shared how God had used the course to strengthen their own relationship with God and leadership:
"I've been struggling for years [in the difficult stage four of the spiritual journey]. Now I have words to describe what I'm going through!" (Church Deacon)
"This course helped me with my life, because I am very sensitive to the mistakes I have made. I now feel liberated knowing that my life is a perpetual journey." (Church planter)
"It was helpful to learn that it's OK to take a step back when I need to do so." (Youth pastor)
"The heart of The Spirit-Led Leader was very relevant to me [because of the shame I have felt]." (Youth pastor)
"I really liked the teaching. I've been waiting a long time for someone who would teach me on my personal relationship with God." (Elderly lay woman in church who works with women's ministry)
"I gained a lot internally (for myself and my relationship with God) as well as externally (for my church/leadership). I missed some things in my leadership training in the past. Now, I realize that I can go back to pick up what I missed and go on from here." (Church pastor)
"Thank you, Tim, this theme touched the very core of my heart. I realize how much work I need to do inside of me in order to mo
ve forward! This [course] is absolutely HIS provision!" (Church pastor)
"Ministry must begin with my own transformation." (Church planter)
"This course was really important for me, especially the teaching on shame. I don't know if it is as significant as it was for you in 1993, but I am going to do a lot more reflecting on the teaching. Good leadership relies on the leader knowing he is loved by God." (Church pastor)
In our online Resource Library, you can find many essays, sermons, and teachings to help you grow spiritually and to serve more fruitfully as a Spirit-led leader. In addition, you can watch the teachings I recently gave to approximately 100 pastors and denominational leaders from four Mid-western regions (encompassing six states) of the American Baptist Churches, in Omaha, Nebraska.
