I have now been a Team Leader for four months on The World Race.
This position has pushed me way beyond my comfort zone. At home, I worked in children’s ministry. I can lead a group of kids without any problem. But adults? No stankin’ way. On top of that, my first month of team leading was during “manistry” month where I led a team of just men. That was challenging in and of itself.
The definition of leadership I had before team leading was not exactly accurate.
This opportunity has helped me put things into perspective. There are a few common lies that a leader can believe if he or she so chooses. During a recent Bible study with my team, I felt empowered to prove those lies wrong and to speak the truth about what it means to be a leader.
I am going to use a story about Israel defeating their enemies to help support the truths I have found regarding leadership. You can read the entire story on your own if you want. It’s Exodus 17:8-13. In this story, Moses is the clear leader, and he is about to lead the army of Israel into battle against the Amalekites.
Lie #1: “A leader has to make all the decisions.”
The story starts off with Moses saying to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek”(verse 9a).
As a leader, you sometimes feel like you have to make every single decision that affects your team; however, being a leader is about empowering those under your leadership to make decisions.
Let’s face it. Your knowledge is limited. My knowledge is limited. In order to make a good decision, you should probably know a little about what you are deciding. If you don’t, one of your teammates probably does. Tap into the wisdom that each of your teammates has, and let them make decision. Moses let Joshua make the decision on who was going to fight. (SPOILER ALERT: They won.)
As the leader, all those decisions still need to run by you. Letting others make decisions does not equate to you sitting back and not fulfilling the commitment that you made to your team to lead them well. In the end, you make the final call regarding the decision on hand, but your team will appreciate the fact that you value their opinions and input. Besides, making a decision should be a group effort. I have done ministry in two communist countries. It doesn’t work so well.
2. Lie #2: “A leader always has to lead by example.”
The story continues with Moses saying, “‘…I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ So Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.” (verse 9b – 11).
Moses could have gone out and fought with the rest of the army. That would be the “normal” thing that a “normal” leader would have done; however, the normal thing to do isn’t always the right thing to do. As a leader, sometimes the best thing you can do is support your team in the background. If that’s taking a day off of ministry to get your heart right with God, so be it. If that involves empowering others to preach while you sit in the congregation praying, that’s fine. You are a leader – not God. You can’t do it all.
Leading by example is still a powerful way to lead; it’s just not the only way. Don’t let this be your “Get out of Ministry” card. Before you are anything else, you are a teammate and should play an active part in your team’s ministry load.
3. Lie #3: “It’s lonely at the top.”
The story ends with Israel defeating the Amalekites. “But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.”
Leadership can be lonely if you let it. When Moses went to the top of hill, Aaron and Hur followed him like it was nothing. Moses didn’t ask them to stay and fight. He didn’t ask them to stay at the bottom. They simply followed. It’s almost as if Moses knew he was going to need their help. As a leader, you are going to get tired. Leadership is challenging, and like everyone else on your team, you have your own struggles and weaknesses. Share those with your team.
You don’t have to have it all together to lead or to lead well. The more you put that pressure on yourself, the more isolated and alone you are going to feel because you are ashamed to share what is really going on in your life. Just like you are there to serve your team, your team is there to serve you. Let them.
Leaders like Clay need just as much love and encouragement as they give out. Sound off in the comments section and brag on the the men in your life who are leading well!
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