on leadership...

i'm not an avid tumblr-er? tumblrist? tumblrian? but i go on it from time to time to browse through cute pictures off of my friends' tumblrs. today i stumbled upon a blog that really hit home to me, and i'm sure there is a better and easier way to share this, but i don't know how so i'm just gonna copy and paste this guy's whole blog post. [i've bolded the parts that really resonated with me.] please read and reflect!! >>>> soulminister tumblr link

Sheep and Shepherds: Part 1

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

John 10:11-13

Jesus offers a word here on who He is to us, as a leader and as Lord. He outlines His role but He also gives us a look at what poor leadership looks like too. Let’s walk through this for a minute.

In verse 11, Jesus gives us the main principal of leadership: sacrifice. A true, Godly leader is willing to “lay down his life for the sheep”; literally and figuratively. Your strength as a leader is directly tied to how much you’re willing to sacrifice for the people you’re leading. How far are you willing to go for those that God has entrusted you with? Now, we know that leadership may not cost you your physical life, but it WILL cost you your life. Leadership costs time, money, spiritual and emotional energy and mental dedication; all of which take sacrifice. Are you willing to take the time build relationships with those you’re leading, or is your time only theirs while you’re at church or at meetings? Leadership requires your life. Why? Because it required the life of Jesus for you to be there.

Verse 12 speaks on “the hired hand”. I could spend ALL day here, but I think the hired hand refers to more than just money. The hired hand is someone who isn’t invested in leadership, or is only invested so that they can recieve something. Peep the contrast: the Godly leader is sacrificial, the hired hand is superficial. How do I know? When the wolf comes, in verse 12, the hired hand runs away. The hired hand is fine with leading until trouble comes. He has no problem with recognition but can’t deal with the wolves! He has no problem with being in charge, but can’t deal with the wolves! A true leader has to know that wolves are going to come and try to cause division and destruction! But the sacrifical leader is so invested, that he’s willing to cover the sheep from wolves. Real leaders don’t run from wolves.

So what’s the affect on the sheep? Verse 13 shows us. The wolves come, attack the sheep, the sheep scatter and the hired hand runs away. Why? Because he cares nothing for the sheep! A leader who runs when problems come is not fit to lead because the sheep need him! And the wolves aren’t going anywhere just because you leave. The hired hand wants recognition, wants reward but doesn’t want risk. There is a risk that you’re going to be hurt in ministry and in leadership, but think about the sheep. God is looking for you to be found faithful…period. So when you stand before Him, He won’t be asking about the wolves; He’s going to ask you about the sheep.

Stay tuned for part 2…..