Right or Wrong? Focus on Leadership

People emphasize “leadership” so much, it has become a buzzword. Isn’t it past time we focus on “followship”?

I recently read Colin Powell’s book, It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership. Most of Powell’s observations are better suited to military or corporate environments, although he does offer some ideas that can help any pastor or church member who loves the church.

{mosimage}Among Baptists, unlike military or corporate contexts, leadership does not automatically come with position. In a healthy church, leadership is not seized; rather, it is granted by the people. Members of the church gravitate toward people they believe have the best interests of the church at heart. There are no leaders without followers, and in a Baptist church, the followers choose the leader. As Joel Gregory says, “One of the hallmarks of Baptist life is the people in the pew choose the person in the pulpit.” Ideally, believers recognize a benevolent and visionary spirit, and they reject a heavy-handed or self-centered vision.

In other words, the leader can lead from different positions—the front of the group, the middle or the back. The leader experiences the sense of being a leader-follower differently from each perspective. Examples of Christ’s leadership with his disciples illustrate each position.

I hear from young pastors who are ready to confront or isolate lay leaders who are obstacles to the pastor’s vision for the church. These “obstacle” people probably have supporters who will follow the “obstacle” people more quickly than the pastor. For pastors who think they must “lead from the front,” the situation becomes adversarial quickly. The young pastor finds the situation untenable and either leaves of her or his own volition or becomes a terminated-ministers statistic.

There is a reason the church has looked to those particular laypeople for leadership. Perhaps their standing comes from a long tradition, their likeability, their place in the community or genuine care for the church. But there is a reason the people who may frustrate the pastor have been granted leadership within the church.

My advice is to begin working with those who have been recognized by the church. Come alongside those who have been granted leadership. Earn their trust. Bring your visions together. Make your concerns their concerns. And if you are really fortunate, they will convince the church your vision was their idea all along.

In the process the pastor will find her or his leadership positions changing variously from the front, to the middle and to behind. All the while, the congregation notices the pastor is willing to negotiate and can be teachable, even be a follower. The congregation will begin to pick up on that dynamic as well, becoming leaders-followers themselves.

Stacy Conner, pastor

First Baptist Church, Muleshoe

Right or Wrong? is co-sponsored by the Texas Baptist theological education office and Christian Life Commission. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to [email protected].