Grace and Leadership

There has been a phrase that has been used in leadership that comes across a bit more like a warning than an encouraging exhortation. It reads like this, "Do not mistake my meakness for weakness." The premise behind this statement seems good, but for some reason the phrase is a little off-putting. It seems to come across as a bit of a warning; like a rattle snake shaking its tail to make sure any passer by knows it is there and to be warned. It will strike if need be. Perhaps a balance is in order; one need not confuse those they lead by being just "meak". Leadership that comes across as weak, potentially confusing those they lead by being weak, is not good leadership. Meakness is strength in check, or strength/power under control. If a leader is being confused as weak and their leadership appears weak, then there is a bigger problem.

Leaders must walk between difficult, sometimes painful decision making while also demonstrating Christ-like tenderness. A leader must be full of God's powerful grace, and ready to forgive and dispense His grace. Spiritual leaders must also, while being forgiving and full of grace, be motivators and movers of people onto and into God's agenda in this world. Axioms aside, it will be fun to explore leadership and leader making this semester.

Meditating on the life of Jesus Christ, one sees such power under control. There was never a time someone following Jesus would ever mistake His meakness for weakness. As a father and husband, sometimes it can be tempting to use size, power struggles, voice tone and volume, to get desired behaviors and outcomes. In this situation, the mistake is not assuming weakness. It is, however, still a very weak form of leadership.

As mentoring kicks off this semester, there will be many cracks in the foundation found. These will need to be addressed, and by God's grace, fixed. It will be fun to explore leadership development (for spiritual leadership this really just boils down to disciple making) in the context of God's agenda here on this earth in and through people.