This has powerful implications for leadership. Unconsciously, the church will mimic you.
This means:
- If you are late to meetings, your people will be late to meetings.
- If you don’t take notes in meetings, your people won’t take notes in meetings.
- If you are angry and defensive when you get negative feedback, your people will be angry and defensive when they get negative feedback.
Conversely:
- If you are humble and grateful, your people will be humble and grateful.
- If you are warm and engaging, your people will be warm and engaging.
- If you are even-tempered and unflinching under fire, your people will be even-tempered and unflinching under fire.
- If you are passionate, optimistic and enthusiastic, you’re people will catch your fire and want to follow.
Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I would add, “Be the change you want to see in your church.” If you don’t like the culture of your church, small group, or spiritual life, start by changing yourself and inviting other to follow your example. Set a new standard. Let your attitude become obvious, let our light shine and let your maturity be the standard to follow. This is the most powerful thing you can do to change your world, your church and your life.
The bottom line is that you are the prototype for your followers. Your actions speak louder than words. You must pay careful attention to your own behavior. You are a living example of what it takes to go to the next level. You will replicate yourself.
My Leadership Oath
My church is composed of people like me.
I help make it what it is.
It will be friendly, if I am
Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.
It will do great work, if I work.
It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am generous giver.
It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them.
It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things.
Therefore, with the help of Almighty God,
I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all things that I want my church to be.
Signature:____________________
“If you are passionate, optimistic and enthusiastic, you’re people will catch your fire and want to follow.”
…thank you for being so…and…if you doubt that you are, then in truth and humility, consider those who “caught your fire” and, therefore, “followed” you to Haiti a little over a month ago and “made disciples and made a difference” because of your “passion and enthusiasm” to “go find Jesus and love on some children” in an orphanage called House of Faith and on a mountain identified as DBR and on which each of you experienced your own “Transfiguration.”