Loading ...Leadership Lessons to Live By
I use to think that charisma was the ultimate style of leadership. Fortunately, I moved passed this paradigm to embrace the differentiation style of leadership. It is the style of leadership that was advocated by Edwin Friedman. The book “Generation to Generation” is the primary source for congregational leadership. Usually when a minister is struggling with congregational conflict or stress this is the one of the first books that I recommend. There are other books that deal with this style of leadership, but this was the first. This method of leadership has helped me to develop certain values to live by in working with a congregation.
1. Change is alway, always, always, resisted.
2. When you are being criticized it means that you are leading.
3. Focus on differentiating yourself over blending in.
4. Expect people to sabotages your progress.
5. Be methodical in your steps, control your actions, and refuse to react to anxiety within the congregation.
Related posts:
- Styles of Leadership
- Popular Models in Congregtional Leadership
- Review of “Leveraging Your Leadership Style”
- Leadership from the Center
- Pastoral versus Transformational Leadership
About The Author
Bible doesn’t say a whole lot about leadership; says a ton about servanthood. The way to lead folks to become servants is not through orchestrated methods but through serving (unless you want folks to develop into ability/desire to orchestrate methods.)
Yea, I do believe that servant is at the root of leadership, and was one of the methods that Jesus used in leading people. He differentiated himself from the crowd by washing the disciples feet. One of the problems I have with the typically servant leadership paradigm is that we are in a selfish society. If you are willing to serve always in every situations, people in society will run you ragged. One must be careful in running to the loudest serve me voice because in doing so, you end up not serving your family or your own faith.
The items listed here completely leave the door open for servanthood. I agree with Matthew in that you must maintain a servant attitude while keeping yourself in a position of being human. Jesus washed feet but He didn’t wash people’s clothes or run errands for them just because they asked.
Hi Matthew! School is going great. Been very busy. Sorry I haven’t updated my blog yet. Partly because of being busy and couldn’t get internet until a few days ago. I very much enjoy reading your blog. Your very knowledgeable and have a lot of great insights.
I am loving school. Lord willing I will finish in 2010. God bless you and the church there in Waynesboro, TN. If possible I would love the opportunity to work with you and Mitchell there. God bless you all and Grace and Peace.
Matthew,
Wonderful post brother!
I love point #1.
Change will always, always, always be resisted.
I wonder how you mind expound your thoughts on this point on my current post.
Again, thank you for sharing this with us.
Actually the Bible says a lot about Leadership. What about Moses or Noah or Peter? Or Paul who knew that his life had to match his preaching. Leadership is all throughout the Bible. Servant Leadership is best demonstrated by Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.