Ok, I know how that sounds.  No, I’m not going to talk about the different types of legs (i.e. – bony, stubby, lanky, and ghostly)

I believe all who come into leadership, whether by position or circumstance, have to find their leadership legs.  Some find them sooner than others, oftentimes because that is the way they are wired.  All, however, need to spend some time leading in order to discover who they are as a leader.  It is when you find those legs that you begin to be able to take strides to fulfill that which you were meant to do.  Some leaders have public confidence and private fear, while others seems to have the opposite – private confidence and public fear.  Fighting the extremes and striking a balance is the key to finding the legs to stand on. For example, some leaders stand strong when in front of others, and yet when alone they constantly second-guess themselves.  Others have no problem saying just what they are going to say and do when the time comes, and yet when the rubber meets the road, they become indecisive and unsure when challenged.

The key is to allow the Holy Spirit to develop you into the leader He wants you to be – to not try to be someone or something you are not.  If you can’t sing to save your life, they most likely God didn’t call you to be a worship pastor – and yet, some people will spend their lives trying to be something that they never will be.  There are some leaders that I admire – and can learn from, but I should never try to emulate them.  God made me who I am and them who they are – and I should stand on the leadership legs God gave me to stand on.

Leadership comes in all kinds of shapes and packages.  Based on life experiences, personality bents, and training, we lead according to how we have been shaped as a person.  Leadership is not based on position – you and I have seen many with a position who provided little if any leadership.  Leadership is about inspiring people to follow you.  Based on that statement, there are three types of leadership.

1. “I’m the boss” type leader – You may be the type of leader that is very driven.  You set goals and reach them.  You strive to accomplish much.  And questions by those under your authority are not welcomed nor asked for.  You get a great deal done, but those working for you feel like cogs in a wheel and unappreciated.
2. “Go with the flow” type leader – You are a people-oriented person.  You want to make them feel valued and important.  Confrontation is not an active part of your vocabulary.  You nudge for things to happen, but don’t fight for them.  You want people to want you as a leader.   You take a while to get everything done because you don’t want to push anybody.
3. “I’m Still Trying to Figure it out” type leader – You are the type of leader that is in the formation process.  You know that you have to lead, but don’t want to fall into the previous two categories.  You are developing the “in-charge” element without being bossy, and the “listening” element so that people on your team feel valued.

When I think of a leader, here is what I look for – a person that knows where they are going, and is taking steps to get there.  I look for someone with a team mentality, that they alone cannot accomplish their goals, but are willing to surround themselves with capable people and allow them latitude to move.  I look for someone with integrity, one that says what they mean and mean what they say.  I look for someone to be straight up with me, not cagey and elusive.  And when I examine all of these things that I look for, I sit back and say to myself – you be that person, and with God’s help, I will!

I have taken a break from blogging for a while for personal reasons.  I believe it healthy and necessary as a Pastor to do some personal inventory from time to time, and really examine what is important in your life, and what you are doing that really is time-wasting.  Being a little ADD, I am easily distracted, and have been trying to eliminate distractions and focus on what is really important.  Have you ever found yourself there?

In the past month I have been discovering who I am as a leader, my strengths and weakness, my successes and failures, and plotting a course for what needs to change.  In my coming blog entries, I will be chronicling this journey, and invite you to come along.

Living in Pittsburgh, I’m swimming upstream being a Baltimore Raven’s fan.  And yesterday, great fun was had by all at my expense.  But I asked for it, huh?  After the game it was hard not to be a bit disappointed – seeing my team fight so hard and make it to the AFC Playoffs.

Defeat confronts us all, but what we do when we face it makes all the difference in the world.  Some quit when they face defeat, some live in denial and blame everyone else for their defeat, some wallow in “poor me” and long for a good pity party.  All these really are not an option  for the Christ follower.  Defeat can be a chance to improve, and challenge for a new day, and a great time to learn to trust God.

We have all read in the Bible where Jesus said – My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.  I have read that time and again, and probably preached on it.  As I write this blog, I am in the middle of a week of fasting (the Daniel fast), and really am not that hungry.  But my hunger to see those that don’t know Christ come into a relationship with Him is becoming insatiable.  I am reminded of Jeremiah – when he said – it’s like a fire shut up in my bones. 

I have been inspired and challenged by Chris Tomlin’s song – God of This City.  “Greater things are yet to come in this city,” he writes.  I am challenging our church to break free of our personal paradigms of church and remove barriers to the gospel so that we can reach as many as possible for Him this year.

This week I finally go to take my test for ordination. I have been licensed with the AG for 13 years, so I guess it’s time to upgrade. But I hate taking tests. I guess it is all a part of the process. Let me write a paper – and I’m in my glory – but tests make me nervous.

Are you a paper writer or test taker?

The end of the year really causes me to reflect on the failures and successes of the past year.  I don’t believe you can be effective if you don’t examine both.  However, it is important not to camp out there, but to use it as an impetus to make the future better.  I have seen some evolution in my leadership – knowing some things that are totally working for me, and other areas where I have to admit, I really have learned a lesson the hard way.

I don’t know if Bible college could really ever fully prepare one for ministry, but if someone is willing to learn, to humble themselves and learn from the successes and failures of others, if they will read themselves full so they never preach themselves empty – they’ll be OK.  I have surrounded myself with people who have been there, done that, and been through a few of the t-shirts – so that I can grow quickly.  I think one of the biggest mistakes of ministry, of pastoring, is to be a loner – to be afraid of learning from others, to sequester oneself and hope for the best.  I have found great strength in meeting with others and growing together as a result.  

What say you?

Love this video – giving not getting.

I’m excited about the second message in the Christmas Conspiracy series – When Light Invades the Darkness. It is my prayer that tomorrow will be the changing point in someone’s life – and the light will break the hold of the darkness for good! Can you say, AAAAmen!

Tony Morgan had some great insight on failure on his blog, tonymorganlive.com.  Here are a few of those:

1. It’s not your passion. If it doesn’t make your heart beat fast or cause your mind to race when you’re trying to sleep, you’re probably doing the wrong thing.
2. You don’t have a plan. You need a vision, and you need to identify specific steps to make that vision become reality. That includes a financial plan. (I happen to believe you need direction from God on this.)
3. You’re waiting for it to be perfect. Test-drive it. Beta-test that new idea. You’ll fall into the trap of inaction if you think it has to be absolutely right from day one.
4. You’re not willing to work hard. Everything worth pursuing in my life has involved discipline and perseverance.
5. It’ll outgrow you. Keep learning. Keep growing. But more importantly, build a team of people including leaders that can be who you’re not.

You can read the rest here.