Principles of Leadership - Get Out of Their Way Part 2

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters.

During 2022, my theme has been “10 Principles of Spiritual Leadership”.  In my previous episode, I introduced principle #7, “Get out of their way!”  I shared how it is important that we avoid micro-managing those who serve under our leadership.     

Today, I want to turn our attention to a second important aspect of this leadership principle.  It’s vital that we help emerging leaders grow and develop their skills and leadership.  In order to do so, we need to give them room … to give them some freedom … to lead on their own.  This not only helps them to grow as leaders; it helps the organization to expand in both capacity and capability.  

Some time ago, I read about the contrast between leaders who develop other leaders and those who simply increase the number of those who follow them.  The author of this enlightening difference is Ron McManus.     

Leaders who develop leaders

– want to be succeeded by others

– want to be replaced

– focus on strengths of the people

– give away position and power (recall principle #6, Delegate Authority)

– grow by training more leaders 

Leaders who develop followers

– want to be needed by others

– want to be recognized

– focus on others’ weaknesses

– hold on to their position and power

– grow by attracting more followers

We want to be leaders who develop other leaders.  It’s been said that a good test of a leader is what happens when he or she is no longer with the team.  In light of this, think of the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2).  Jesus had ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to empower His followers. 

Peter, who had denied Christ three times just a few days before, now preaches with anointing and power and becomes one of the key leaders of the first century church.   

Later, we see in Acts, chapter 8 that the early church encountered persecution.  Up until that time, the church was led by a small handful of leaders (John, James, and Peter).  In verses 1 and 4, we read that “a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered … Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”  Those who were scattered stepped up into leadership because they were no longer in proximity to their leaders.  They had room to grow in their leadership.   

Jesus’s followers continue to lead His Church today, and I would suggest that this makes Him the most effective leader this world has ever seen.  

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.