Leadership is defined more by what you lead through than what you lead around.
One thing I’ve observed with many pastors and ministry leaders is that they allow their God-given vision to be controlled by the negative voices of others. They may know where God wants them to lead the people He has entrusted to their care, but as soon as negativity or push back comes, instead of plowing through by faith, they retreat, they settle, or they compromise.
Should this ever be the case? I’m not suggesting we don’t get wise counsel or that we act flippantly to others when they have something to share (I’ve posted numerous times how and why I listen to criticism), but when in Scriptures did it turn out well when men and women acted contrary to the call of God upon their life?
Be assured, when you step out in faith, you’ll hear voices rise against you. People, usually a minority, will try to dissuade you. Everything you’ve ever done worthwhile caused someone to complain. You can bet on some dissension if it’s truly of God.
Here’s my personal counsel:
- Make sure you know what God has called you to do.
- Surround yourself with a few people who believe in you and your calling.
- Don’t define a win in your ministry by how many negative voices you can avoid.
- Move forward.
Be honest, have you ever wavered in your God-given calling because of negative pressure?
You may want to read: 7 Ways to Tell if Something is a God-Thing
I think most church leaders deal with this at one time or another. Knowing your calling and your association is such an important thing to focus on.
Twitter: KariScare
says:
For sure! I am having too much fun and enjoying what I'm doing now to even consider doing anything else. I man, I don't ever want a "real" job again 🙂
Twitter: KariScare
says:
Yes, I have wavered in your God-given calling because of negative pressure. Even worse is that much of that negative pressure was from myself. I should have began my writing career 20 years ago but instead took a path that was what I felt I was supposed to do. Praise God that I am now back on track with my God-given calling. Now, I am purposing to teach my kids to not give in because of negative pressure but to work to know what their God-given callings are and to pursue those with intensity.
Keep writing. I share a similar story!
Argeed Ron! , Any leader must have the gut to follow his intuition to become successful in the long run. Leader should be a person who is able to believe in himself and move forward with what he has. If the leader tries to evolve consensus everytime, then he wii be wavering in his God-given calling always.
That's why Herbert Bayard Swope once said, "I can’t give you a surefire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time."
You have great quotes to share! You must be a huge reader.
Ron, great post! I face these negative voices in running a Christian business as well. I did two posts on this very topic recently. Let me know your thoughts…
http://christianfaithatwork.com/what-is-anti-audi…
http://christianfaithatwork.com/how-to-face-your-…
Ron, great post! I face these negative voices in running a Christian business as well. I did two posts on this very topic recently. Let me know your thoughts…
http://christianfaithatwork.com/what-is-anti-audi…
http://christianfaithatwork.com/how-to-face-your-…
Thanks Chris. I'll check them out.