Art of Leadership With Brian HoustonSample

The many sides of leadership

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)

Leadership is multi-faceted. Some people are gifted leaders, while others have learned leadership. The Apostle Paul was a gifted leader but before his conversion, his leadership was oppressive and destructive. Immediately after his conversion, Paul was radical and unpopular with many of his peers, and he ended up returning to Tarsus for fourteen years where his leadership gift was cultivated before his true ministry emerged.

I think my leadership gift was possibly always there, but it was a journey of developing, learning, and serving under others’ leadership before I became the pastor of my own church. Even then, there was still so much to learn as far as growing into my role was concerned. Challenges and mistakes are not disqualifications to leadership; they are part of its development. Learning the art of leadership takes time; even Jesus had to learn through His suffering,

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. — Hb 5:8-9 (NLT)

Leadership is a mantle — some wear their leadership well while others struggle. I had two very different teachers at school, Miss McIntyre and Miss Biddle. Miss McIntyre never shouted at her class, yet despite constant yelling, Miss Biddle couldn’t control hers. Miss Biddle ended up leaving teaching because she thought she wasn’t cut out for it. In the good times and the tough times, it is important to wear your leadership mantle well, lest, like Miss Biddle, you become defensive, stressed out, and defeated.

Leadership is a responsibility — we are accountable to God for how we steward other people’s lives. That also makes leaders a target for the enemy, and that’s a sobering reality. Before accepting any leadership role, make sure you understand and are willing to take up the responsibility that comes with it.

Leadership is an honour — leaders are entrusted and trusted but losing sight of the honour leads to a sense of entitlement. The only way to walk in honour is with humility.

Leadership is a journey, not a destination — you never arrive. Remember, you must face crossroads and crises along the way; things that mold and develop your ability, so don’t take shortcuts or try to avoid the challenges when they come.

Leadership is an opportunity to leave a legacy and create pathways for others to follow. When you know you are called to lead, you’ll understand it is the pathway to God’s will for your life.

The art of leadership comes through a commitment to learning and developing the skill to lead others. Your leadership is unique to you and your God-given calling, and the many sides of leadership will unfold as you journey through your life with God, overcoming challenges, correcting mistakes, and staying the path.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. — 1Peter 1:18 (MSG)