I am currently reading a book by Thom Rainer called Breakout Churches. As I started reading God really spoke to me. It only took the first chapter to challenge me in my leadership. I wanted to share with you the levels of leadership that Rainer outlines. I hope that ou look at these and challenge yourself on where you are currently in your level of leadership. I believe that we can always take our leadership to a new level. Be blessed and challenged.
6 Levels Of Leadership
#1 In Acts chapter 1 I see the calling of the leader. Someone who understands the they are called of God to do what He wants them to. At this point there is a distinctive point in someone’s life that points them to the ministry. There is usually a burden for the lost and a desire to minister to them. This may not be totally mapped out in their life, but there is a knowledge.
#2 In Acts chapter 2 I see more of a defining of the calling. This type of leader is called the Contributing Leader There is a place of ministry and a place of contributing. In my life that would be knowing that I am to pastor and to preach. My contribution is to bring the message every Sunday. This is where most of the leaders stop. They believe that because they are DOING what they are supposed to do, they are fine. It is a place of contentment. The problem arises when we become content. A leader should never become content in leading, but this is where most of us stop. For me, I am not happy with just being content. I am not seeing growth on myself or the church, therefore, this leads me to look internally with myself.
#3 In Acts chapter 3 I see more of a leader who steps out of the comfort zone and does things that don’t seem ordinary for a leader. This leader is called the Outwardly-Focused Leader. They are willing to get dirty and to go outside of the 4 walls of the church to see ministry happen. The story of the begger at the gate called Beautiful is a prime example of how a leaders sees the opportunity beyond the ordinary duties and steps out to make it happen. I think this is where I get stuck in my leadership. I have a desire to see things happen, but I am often distracted by other things. Those other things are good, but are not the God things that need to happen.
#4 Acts chapter 4 gives the definition of the next level leader, the Passionate Leader. This is a leader who is passionate and sold out about the church’s mission and vision. Peter and John were so sold out that it landed them in jail. Now I am not saying that we need to end up in jail to prove our passion about the mission of the church, but they were so determined to make sure that the mission and vision was accomplished that they did not let anything stand in their way. My question is, are we, am I, as a leader this determined? Many leaders would not be here. I think many of us would say we are sold out to the mission of the church, but when push comes to shove we are actually not. This is not a knock against any leader. As a matter of fact, I am in this place. I often find myself making decisions out of comfort ability and fear more than out of faith. We must as leaders be willing to do whatever it takes to see the vision and. Ission of the church accomplished.
#5 Acts chapter 5 outlines the Bold Leader. This type of leader is one that is willing to make the tough calls. The tough calls are not the fun ones to make, that is why they call them the though calls. But to many leaders go around afraid to make those calls because they are afraid of hurting someone or making someone mad. The problem that arises is that the actual problem never goes away. To be a bold leader we must be willing to do what is right for the ministry and do it with integrity. Maybe for some that is shutting down a certain ministry, or maybe it is removing a staff member or maybe it is making the tough financial call. Whatever it is, we cannot sit on it. We must pray, and then act when God tells us to.
#6 Finally in Acts chapters 6 and 7 we see stories of the Legacy Leader. This is a leader that looks beyond the ministry of today and plans on how they can leave a legacy for others. This is a leader who is not out to build a name, it to speak the name of Christ in such a way, they the people we touch throughout our ministry will leave a impact for the next generation. What is it that you and I are doing now so that the generations to follow will be impacted. This type of leader is now to strive to become.
