Our church has wisely promoted a three year Leadership Development program and offers an opportunity to anyone inside or outside our congregation to enroll.
An overview; The curriculum focuses on spiritual formation, developing skills and practices, implementing strategies, and mentoring others. Though some of the learning objectives are specific to launching a project or long-term Ministry, most of the work is internal and transferable into our daily lives.
I have had the incredible blessing to be a part of this amazing program and I am now in my third year. Because of my involvement, I have also had opportunity to engage in conversations about the course. I think the number one protest I hear from people, (both inside the program and out) is I am not a “BIG L” leader. I completely get what they are saying, in terms of what the world has deemed as a “Leader,” I don’t feel much like a leader myself. Have you had similar thoughts?
I just read Ezekiel 34: 1-16 (The title of this chapter in my bible is “Irresponsible Shepherds”)
A warning is issued from God, through the prophet Ezekiel. The Lords people (Shepherds) have been self-serving, not paying attention to those who are hungry and naked, to the weak and the poor, the sick and the broken hearted. Because of this, the sheep (lost people) have been scattered and they have become food for all the wild animals, with no one to search or seek for them.
As I have progressed through this course, Leadership has taken on a brand new meaning to me. So here is a couple of questions I’ll ask you to join me in considering.
1) Do you have any family members?
2) Are you part of a church or other organization?
3) Do you have any friends?
4) Do you shop for food, clothes, go out for entertainment, answer a phone or a door?
5) Are you living and breathing?
Jesus is called the “Good” Shepherd, which ultimately implies there are also bad shepherds.
Whether we care to acknowledge it or not, we are always leading someone, somewhere. There is always someone watching us. Someone right this minute, may be making a personal choice based on what they have seen us do, or heard us say. Do we have a choice to make girls?
We are “BIG L” leaders, the question becomes, “Where will we lead them?”
donna l.
