Wednesday's Leadership thought- people follow leaders who are respectable

Feb. 26, 2020

The definition of leadership “a process of influence.  Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking the role of a leader. – Ken Blanchard pg.5

Matthew 23:6- ⁶ They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, ⁷ greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.

“The best use of power is not to have to use it at all.  People follow great leaders because they respect them, not because they have power.”  Ken Blanchard- pg. 67

This passage of Scripture is so powerful.  Jesus is paying respect to the Pharisees and saying listen to what they say.  However, Jesus says don’t do what they do because they don’t practice what they teach (vs. 2-3).   What a compliment and criticism of their leadership.  The Pharisees knew what they were to do.  They even said it well.  However, what they believed or said, was not making an impact on their lives.  They were not living it out.  The Pharisees had a leadership blockage between their heads (knowledge) and their hands (action). 

We then focus on the verses above in red.  The Pharisees like to be in charge.  They liked the respect and the honor that was bestowed on them because they were “in charge.”  They liked to be the ones that everyone saw.  They liked the titles and “worldly” respect that was given to them.   They were in the places of leadership for all the wrong reasons.  They wanted the praise of men, the honor and glory from people.  They were not in leadership to help draw people into a closer relationship with Christ.

I love this quote by Blanchard- people will follow great leaders because of the respect.  How do you gain the respect of people- you treat them well.  You don’t exercise power over them, you use the influence you have to serve them, to encourage them, to equip them. 

As leaders in the church, we have the awesome position, and influence of helping people grow in their relationship with Christ.  This can be through a new relationship (salvation) or through a rededication (discipleship).  Either way is such a humbling way of making an eternal difference.  When we lead, lets not lead with power, but with humility, making sure that we are pointing people to Christ and the cross!

Questions for my leadership:

#1- Am I seeking a seat of honor and public praise for my leadership?

#2-  Do I seek to serve others as Jesus did or am I following the world’s standard of leadership?

#3-  How would my leadership change if I followed the example of Jesus to serve others?