Leading or Maintaining?

What does your ministry say about your leadership? Do your co-workers view you as a motivator? Initiator of change? An innovative thinker? Or are you simply a maintainer, a follower? No matter the setting, whether church or the business field, we are called to be change-agents for those around us. Lately I've been studying Andy Stanley's leadership material and wanted to write about some things that I've learned since I've been in ministry. Here are seven signs clear signs of healthy leadership. Does your ministry/business reflect these?
Here we go:

1. Clarify the Win! No matter how good your team is, even the best team can't win the game if they don't know where home plate is. Clarifying the win for your ministry or organization is crucial to the effectiveness of your team


2. Think steps, not programs! Clear strategy for your ministry is crucial in leading your team from point A to point B.


3. Narrow the Focus! We can do a lot of things, but we're not going to do a lot of things well, or even remotely well for that matter. We have to constantly narrow our focus in ministry and if something doesn't fall in line with our ministry objective, then we have to be willing to axe that program.


4. Teach less for more! We all love getting less for more and in terms of ministry it's no different. Sanctification is a process, and it ain't easy! It's hard work. We as leaders must be very specific in leading those under us because we are bombarded with noisey and confusing messages every day. However, those are not adjectives that should describe the messages we covey. Be intentional.


5. Listen to outsiders! Why don't people use your company? Why don't strangers visit your church? Is it because you're too focused on keeping who you got than reaching those you don't? There is a balance of course, and it's not one that is easy to arrive at, but a church that is solely inward focused is about as fun as drinking from a pond that has no fresh water supply! It's still water, but...


6. Replace yourself! I'm a big believer in this one! Different situations require a different scenario, but the concept is still the same. Let's face it, none of us are irreplaceable, and that last big project you just did for the company is only good until someone comes along and creates a better one (i.e. Xanga meet Myspace, and Myspace meet Facebook, get it?) No one is irreplaceable! However a good leader is in many ways trying to replace himself by training those under him to work without him. Mentoring your team is vital because you never know...they could be your replacement, and if you want your vision and dream for your ministry to carry on, you better share it with those under you!


7. Evaluation time! Every event, every project, every service even, needs to be objectively evaluated in order to better that organization or ministry. We all have to constantly guard against becoming stale. We are all working with eternity here and whether it's church or business we can not afford to become out of touch simply due to a lack of effort or creativity. (MTV meet your defeat: Youtube)