“You can’t get there from here.” How many times have you heard this common expression? I have discovered that many people want to see course-altering change take place in their organizations, but they don’t seem willing to experience the personal pain necessary to make it happen. After all, you have to grow on the inside before you can grow on the outside. Likewise, you have to change inwardly before you can lead effectively outwardly.
Mark Sayers recently quoted his mentor, Terry Walling, on the Carey Neiuwhof Leadership Podcast, saying, “Personal renewal proceeds corporate change.” I believe this to be true. Most church leaders I know are doing a fine job of responding to the current crisis. Services have moved online, ministry continues in creative ways, and efforts are being made daily to help attendees become part of the community. All of this is good.
BUT…those leaders, and the churches, businesses, and organizations they lead that will come out on the other side of this crisis more dynamic than they entered it, will be those who allowed it to break them–driving them to their knees.
We’re all praying about how we should respond. Here again, that’s a good thing. BUT…more importantly, we should be asking God to use this to make us who he wants us to be.
As leaders, we’re often asked to speak to a situation. That’s a good thing, but I want to be the man who spends more time listening to God and less time speaking to people. Only then will I have something to say that is truly worth hearing.