Drew Boswell

a place for us to share ideas, talk about life, and learn together.

Leadership In A Land of Ghosts

In every organization there are ghosts. These ghosts are leaders and staff of the past (near or far), who while their physical bodies are elsewhere, still have apparitions. They walk the halls and haunt the minds of those that still remain.

These haints typically fall into two categories; (1) those that took the organization to a new level of strength and vitality, and (2) those that failed miserably.

The mediocre are remembered for nothing, for they did nothing worth remembering. The worst of the motley crew of mediocre and forgotten are the place-holders, time clock punchers, and blind visionaries. These “leaders” have vanished, and so has any influence they had over people. Remember that no leader, no matter how incredible, is remembered forever. The ultimate purpose of a spiritual leader is not to be remembered but to influence others for the sake of Christ.

That being said, what causes good leaders to be remembered is how they influenced the people around them for the good. When they depart, their influence remains (for a while) with those they leave behind. The names of the shadowy successful regularly enter into conversations and passing comments. For the poor leaders, their names too are mentioned regularly but it is regard to issues that continually come up that must be dealt with because of his mismanagement, incompetence, or moral failing.

Both are hard to forget.

 It is the leadership of these ‘good’ influencers that the current leadership can build upon, and continue to strengthen the organization. If the influence was poor, then current leaders have to struggle with rebuilding, proving ministry goals (including budgets) and any changes they feel need to be made. Trust has to re-built. This rebuilding of this essential leadership foundation may take considerable time. It is a tiring, frustrating, and emotionally challenging time. Often (and sadly) many new leaders are not willing to endure this fight, perceived long length of time, and simply move on. Their departure only adds to the already prevailing problems.

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So How Does a Leader Become a

Ghost of Christmas Future Instead of a Ghost of Christmas Past? 

1)   Stay somewhere long enough to do something of worth and add strength to the organization. If it is to build, then build; if it is to heal, then heal.

2)   Don’t Mess Up. No, I mean really mess up. Trying new things and learning how to lead is filled with failings and mistakes. But, if you have love for people (and show it), stay close to God and His Word, and lead with conviction you’ll be ok. But when you do mess up know that time will be required to rebuild trust. It is necessary skill of leadership to walk to the fine line between risk and safety.

3)   If you find yourself punching the time clock, filling a position with no passion, and have no vision for the future, then ask God to give you direction. Perhaps to a new leadership position, or a vision that fills you with excitement. Seek a vision that keeps you up at night with planning, praying, and pondering the “what ifs.” Ask God for a vision that will make tears come to your eyes, and make your heart swell out of your chest.

If not, you will slip into the world of the non-influencer. The realm of the dead leader. Now that’s scary; a land of the past leaders ghosts, and a leader whose leadership has passed away.

Do You Mind Watching My Stuff? 1 Timothy 3:14-16

I was at Starbucks the other evening and as I was typing away on my laptop, the guy at the table across the way waved at me. I took my ear buds out and he said, “would you watch my stuff?” I said, “sure,” put my ear buds back in and went back to my writing. But as I sat there a thought began creeping into my mind, “I am responsible for this guys stuff,” and “I don’t even know this guy.” What was in his bag? What exactly am I watching over? What if he were some kind of college terrorist? Would I be an accessory to some kind of crime? How does he know that I won’t take his stuff, or mess with his computer? I guess I need to work on looking tougher. My new bifocals, Disney t-shirt, blue jeans, and red canvas crocs set him at ease, I suppose.

Just when I was getting all freaked out, he came back, waved at me, and went back to whatever he was doing before. My responsibility for this guy’s stuff was over.

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Paul in the book of 1 Timothy 3:14-16 says, “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”

He uses several graphic images to give a description of believers.  Paul discusses the church being a family (the household of God), as an assembly or gathering (the church), and as pillars and buttresses. It is the later that I want to discuss with you. He confesses that “great indeed is the mystery of godliness.

The mystery is not like a scene from a Hitchcock episode where the detective says, “Here’s what happened.” We already know what happened. We are not left wondering if the butler did it. Instead we know who did it (Jesus), what (salvation of mankind), when (at the fullness of time), where (Calvary), and why (“For God so loved the world”). The part that Jesus played is not a mystery, instead it is a reference to the gospel. Another way to think about this verse is “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of the way of godliness (the gospel).” Why would God do this great thing to save mankind? Why would He give His only Son for those that hate Him? Then Paul goes on to outline what Christ did and how His message has spread.

But the gospel is powerful only when the truth is upheld. We are not free to change the story or what is required for salvation in any way or for any reason. The gospel was believed on in the world because it was accurately proclaimed.  Paul has already warned Timothy of false teachers in earlier chapters, and here he is describing believers, as a whole, as being responsible for holding up the truth.

He uses the architectural reference of a buttress and pillar. When walls collapse under a load they usually buckle to the outside. Therefore, a buttress is a layer of wall added to the outside of an existing wall to add support. A pillar is to support the weight on the inside of a structure. So, from outside, and inside believers are to hold up the weight of truth.

The weight of the truth never goes away, like the constant push of gravity. This is not just a Sunday activity; our responsibility of watching over the truth and holding it up to the lost world is a constant endeavor. The truth must be upheld when we gather together in worship, and it must be upheld when we disperse to our everyday lives. We do not worship a dead idol that only has “power” in a temple, as the pagans of old believed. Instead, we serve a risen Savior, a living God, who desires that His people live holy lives for Him, and uphold His truth around the world.

Like a father who leaves his family because the load of responsibility is too heavy for him, it is just as tragic when Christians twist and distort the truth of the Gospel in order to get out from under the heavy weight of truth. Both leave the family is chaos and with heartache — and for a lost world apart from Christ they are left without hope.

Can You Keep a Secret?

If there was one piece of advice that I would give any leader (especially in ministry) is that most of the time it is better to keep your mouth shut.

1)   Be humble and realize that you don’t have all the answers. Proverbs 17:28 says, “a fool is thought wise until he opens his mouth” (or presses keys on his keyboard). Wisdom is to realize that you are not “all that” and to add a thankfully forgotten 90’s reference “and a bag of chips.” You have been called to be a leader, and Christ is to receive all the glory. Many times in order for that to happen, you need to keep your mouth shut.

If there is one thing that children do that aggravates me is when one will say, “actually, . . .” after an adult has just made a statement. They at the age of nine are correcting an adult of forty. They have a fourth grade education, and the adult they correct has a lifetime of experience and various degrees. What aggravates me is that the child assumes his equality (even to point out perceived mistakes) in the adult’s speech.  The adult has learned, forgotten, remembered, and forgotten again more things than the child has ever even experienced. One essential lesson we can teach children (and model in our own lives) is humility. This is a difficult task because you are to walk the razor’s edge of not crushing the spirit of the child, but at the same time pointing out their lacking.

2)   Just stop talking. You do not need to fill the void of silence in the conversation with constant empty talking. Sit back and watch, listen, and learn. Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

When you talk with other people, seek out their interests, ask them questions about their passions, and express a genuine concern for their lives. Most people can tell if you are asking them questions to try and get on their “good side,” instead be genuine.

3)   It’s not your story to tell. You are on a journey with other people and they will tell you parts of their story to you; they will express their heartache, their pain, their struggles, their doubts, their ambitions, their weaknesses – and these things are not for you to tell others. If at some point God works in their lives and they desire to tell others of their story in a public setting, then let them – you do not have the right to tell their story for them.

As a leader you will lose credibility and trust if you betray other’s stories. Most of the men that I have little respect for are those that simply can’t keep a secret – they don’t seem to be able to keep their mouths shut. Is a laugh from one really worth the betrayal of another?

4)   If you can keep your mouth shut, you will gain trust. People naturally distrust those that speak without thinking. If people trust you, then you will gain credibility. If you gain credibility then you can expand your circle of influence. You will know that you have gained trust, when “they” ask what you think. If you are always saying what you think before you are asked, then you will be perceived as a know it all, and of “sticking your nose” in other’s business.

5)   Friends do not come into our lives everyday. In ministry, it is hard to find someone that you can bear your heart to and trust that they will never tell a soul. Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Don’t betray that trust, you may not get another chance at a really close friendship.

Final Note: Yes of course you should tell the proper authorities if someone is hurting someone else (affair, abuse, illegal or immoral behavior, etc.) We are talking about the everyday struggles of men and those in leadership, not secrets that do damage to other people.

 

Why Are You a Leader?

First Baptist Church Valdosta recently held a deacon ordination service for a new deacon and held it during their 11:00am service. It involved a challenge to the congregation, a challenge to the candidate, special music, various sprayers, a report by the deacon council regarding “the testing” process, and the laying on of hands at its’ closing. I was reminded of my own ordination into ministry and what it meant to me at the time, and what it means to me now. The candidate is now a deacon at the church, so now what?

In 1 Timothy 3:8-13, Paul gives a list of various qualifications for a deacon and their wife, and then ends the discussion with “For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” If they pass the testing process, and then carry out their assignments well, they will gain “good standing” and “great confidence in the faith. . .”

These men will begin to hold powerful positions and have a huge impact over people coming to know Christ. The qualifications must be met, because of the influence these men will have in the church and in the community.

How Do You Use Your Position?

For some, simply having the position is enough. They are happy to have people shake their hand, pat them on the back, give them a big smile, and recognize them as “leader.” These men do little but show up, check the box, and demand that people look at them, or recognize them. After all, they do hold the position of honor. But the reason leaders have qualifications that they must reach (or hold to), is because of the influence they have over other people. This influence assumes that they are actually doing something, specifically in how they are seeking to make Christ known in the world.

Spiritual leaders live with a double-edged sword strapped on their hip at all times. This sword must constantly be sharpened and maintained. On one side of the sword is their qualifications and “testimony.” They must constantly work to guard their hearts, make sure they keep a good reputation in the community, and always try to do the right thing, according to their conscience and the Scriptures.

On the other side of the sword is their work they do for the Lord. They are to serve and oversee certain areas of ministry. How are they engaging the world for Christ? They must continue to pierce further and further into the darkness. They must use their influence to encourage, lead, and pull others to follow them to reach their communities for Christ.

If either side of the sword becomes dull, the sword becomes worthless. If you fail morally (slander, greed, addiction to wine, not dignified, not faithful), then you lose trust, and your influence over people is lost. Any organization without leadership slides into decline. If you hold to great morality, but do not engage the world with the gospel, then what’s the point of you holding a position? The reason you have a position is to do something for the Lord with it.

Genesis 12:1-2 “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”

Abraham would be blessed and made into a great nation, not so that Abraham’s name would be lifted up, but so that the world may lift up the name of Jesus Christ. We are to be a blessing to others as a leader; we do not hold a position of leadership to be blessed. You are a leader, “so that you will be a blessing.”

How will you use your position for Christ today?

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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