Laurie Kennedy“Every leader must count the cost of leadership…leadership is a walk on the wild side”. (Dan B. Allender, Leading with a Limp)

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV)

Leadership in a church or mission organization is a phenomenal opportunity to serve, demonstrate God’s love and exercise your calling. There are risks and rewards to both secular and corporate environments. They have similarities and differences, risks and rewards. As a leader at church consider carefully these points.

Communicate effectively and consistently to avoid disagreements between your Elder, Deacon, Leadership Boards and your people. Simple misunderstandings will render your Board dysfunctional.

Define your Vision, Mission and Values prayerfully. A mistake in strategy will cause confusion, conflict and spiritual complacency.

Challenge your thinking and programs continually. Look for results and consistency with Biblical principles to avoid the tragedy of, “the way we have always done it.”

Allocate serious time to prayer, research and recruiting processes to ensure you hire the right Ministry staff and volunteers. A recruiting mistake will cost in spiritual and organizational health for years to come.

Aim to prevent leadership failure by demonstrating a strong, capable and caring style.

Encourage, motivate and reinforce your volunteers to ensure you get and keep people with the required skills to deliver the strategy.

James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner illustrate, (The Truth about leadership), “The brick walls are there for a reason. They’re not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.”

Leadership is knowing that prevention is better than a cure. Be strong and caring as you lead.

Yours in Service,

Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group