I love a good leadership principle learned from observing Jesus.
There’s a story in Matthew 14:22-33.
Perhaps you’ve read it, but in case you haven’t, let me summarize.
After a long day of teaching, Jesus made His disciples get into a boat at night and head out to sea. After a few hours had passed, Jesus came to them walking on water. It was dark, late, and Jesus scared them, thinking He was a ghost. Jesus assured them it was He, to which Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you out on the water.” Peter joined Jesus walking on water, until He saw the wind and began to sink. Jesus saved Peter, got in the boat, and they were amazed at the power of God. (End of story)
Sermons and books have been written about this story. I believe it’s 100% true. It actually happened. My God is awesome.
What I want to consider this look at the story, however, is a leadership principle.
Jesus was leading the disciples to become “fishers of men”. He was teaching them His easy so they could continue a mission…which would launch a church…which continues even today.
In this story, Jesus introduced fear, challenge, and He stretched their faith. Sometimes leaders take people where they don’t want to go, so they can teach them what they need to know.
Pastors/Leaders, don’t be afraid to stretch your team. Don’t shy away from interjecting change. Don’t even be afraid to interject a little fear. If your challenge is designed for good…if you are leading to a better place…it will eventually make your team better.
Help this post. What’s the scariest thing you’ve faced in your leadership development or had to do as a leader?
What’s the scariest thing you’ve faced in your leadership development or had to do as a leader?what i am living and what i am doing now.
Recent promotion has allowed me to face my biggest fear. That is everyone watching some hoping and some not so much. How does one show humility while exhibiting confidence and leadership? I think a strong prayer life, faithful repenting, and an understanding I don’t have all of the answers. Also, one has to move through the problem even if there are fundamental differences in how it should be done resting on experience and trying to tame the tongue. God will sustain if we’ll stay close to him in a daily relationship. Pray for me that I will use what god has done for me to help others that others will recognize something worthy of their time and effort and support. On days when I don’t pray I already know I’m not equipped for the challenges I will face. Knowing this and trusting god is the only thing I know of that will work. Amazingly if done like this I can literally see the hand of god working to help me.
Good point Ron I hadn't look at the story of Peter that way.
Thanks.
I get the point. All effecient leaders are good at taking calculated risk. (which implies they overcome fear to challenge the status quo and plunge into risk. In the similar fashion, the leader pushes his trait to his followers by pushing them beyond their comfort zone.
I was talking with a leader this morning who asked if it was “normal” to be afraid of what's next. Of course, I said “yes”!
Pay our budgets to the denomination, which are essentially the chuch's tithe or pay my weekly salary. I know that may sound strange, but we had enough to pay one or the other. I decided to pay our budgets and God blessed us. What we needed came in.
Great story! Thanks for sharing.