Editor's Note: This article is the second of a five-part series. Lesson three will be available on or before Monday, 8/29/13, and thereafter the weeks of 9/9 and 9/16.
“Part 2” of what I learned at the Leadership summit has been very difficult for me to processes these last few weeks. It has been a constant struggle: a wrestling match with my pride. Each time I think I am going to beat it and come out on top, I quickly get distracted and ego pins me to the floor.
This ministry I am a part of is bigger than me, bigger than my title, and definitely bigger than my pride. I all too often hold so tightly to things - afraid of being replaced or out done. I have found that in these times, I begin to resent those around me. It's the culmination of my self-doubt, insecurities, and uncertainty; all of which are things we as humans have to deal with everyday.
Chris Brown, one of four co-senior pastors of North Coast Church in California, shared how he - 25% of a senior pastor - participates in a shared leadership model that could be difficult for many to wrap their heads around. In our society, there is one single leader at the head of every organization, a person to cast out vision and lead with courage and wisdom. But what happens when that leader is faced with "competition?" Someone who comes up with a more creative idea, has a better audio mix, or creates a better lighting design? Often, said leader begins to well up with envy, and eventually the creative up-and-comer is kicked to the curb.
During his time at the Summit, Brown brought up King Saul's reaction to young David's growing popularity with the people.
Are you the first one to call out your team for a job well done?
“When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing … As they danced, they sang: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.' Saul was very angry … and from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David (1 Samuel 18: 6-9).”
The way Saul reacted is very similar to how modern day bosses deal with the “rising stars” whom they are leading, but Brown had a unique and inspiring view on how Saul should have reacted to the crowd's chants: by pulling David into his chariot - putting his arm around him, and saying "You and me! The 11,000 killed club!" Saul was still the King, yet he could not look past his own pride and fear to praise, or even acknowledge, the accomplishments of those around him.
I can't lie or sugar coat it: this rocked my world. It hit me in my core. I was attending this conference with 75,000 other people - all of us listening to the same message - but Brown's message was written for me. You see, I lead a team that, frankly, is smarter than I am. These guys are rock stars, and it's easy for me to become insecure and threatened by their abilities. When the stage design is beyond anything I could have dreamt up, or the congregation praises the incredible video that I didn't create, my pride urges me to focus the spotlight on myself so that I can take a bow. But that's not the brand of leadership Jesus has called us to.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16).”
You see, I lead a team that, frankly, is smarter than I am.
I'm just a tech guy with no background in theological studies, and I'm sure there are numerous ways to interpret this passage - but at its core, I believe this verse is telling us to put aside our own desires. We are called to live a life of leadership as exemplified by Jesus Christ himself. As followers of Christ, who has paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, we need to separate ourselves from the worldly view of leadership. We need to serve and uplift those around us, rather than tearing them down or taking the credit for our own glory.
In Mark chapter 10, starting in verse 35, James and John are found wrestling with worldly pride and position. These two brothers go to Jesus asking him to make them numbers one and two in the Kingdom. Jesus has to remind them that “rank” doesn't matter in the whole scheme of things. For believers in Christ, Jesus' very existence has reversed the social norms of those in authority. Jesus states:
“[W]hoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10: 43-45).”
Are you the first one to call out your team for a job well done? Do they know how proud you are of them and the work they do? I hear Jesus telling me, “Forget your title as ‘boss' and serve me, by serving my people.” Am I able to swallow the pride that lingers inside, and prayerfully acknowledge: "Jesus, this ministry is bigger than me. What you have called me to do is not to bring glory to myself but to you and your Kingdom." When all is said and done, no one will care that I was the production director for a large church. The difference will come in who I served in the name of Jesus Christ.
Whose kingdom are you building: your own or God's?
