Lead Like Jesus: A Leadership Model Filled with Grace

As part of a Vital Church Initiative Clergy Mentoring Group, Deacon Loretta and I meet monthly with other clergy leaders who are part of Vital Church Initiative. Each month we are asked to read a book on leadership or spiritual practices. I recently finished the assigned reading Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard (author of The One Minute Manager) and Phil Hodges.

The authors suggest that in his life on earth, Jesus modeled effective leadership. The book is separated into four specific characteristics, The heart, head, hands and habits of servant leaders. While some of the conclusions of the authors, seem to simply tie Jesus' leadership style to leadership prescriptions popular today, there are some thought-provoking sections.

Blanchard and Hodges emphasize that Jesus put the interest of others over his own. They spend time helping readers to sort out whether their "EGO" is "edging God out" or "exalting God only". There is a difference between a self-serving leader and a servant leader. The servant leader accepts feedback graciously and seeks to grow with it. The servant leader assumes that there will be a successor and works to empower other leaders. The servant leader understands they have been entrusted with responsibility only for a season, and they hold leadership humbly.

I was especially interested in the authors' guide for the habits needed to lead like Jesus. The list of leadership habits are helpful for anyone in any sort of leadership role, in business, the church or at home:
      The Habit of Solitude - take time for quiet to rest in God.
      The Habit of Prayer - look to the Gospels, examine Jesus' prayer habits, practice them
      The Habit of Dwelling in the Word - use the Bible as a guide for daily living
      The Habit of Trusting in God's Unconditional Love - lead with trust and hope in God
      The Habit of Intimate Community - develop a circle of friends for support and accountability

At the end of the book, Blanchard and Hodges make a case for leading like Jesus. They suggest that their is spiritual benefit at servant leaders seek the reign of God, honor God and put the love of Jesus into action. Practical reasons for leading like Jesus include: providing better service and leadership and closing the gap we tend to create between success and significance. Leading like Jesus means to work for meaning in our lives.

I would recommend this book to leaders who are seeking to reflect Jesus in their leadership style, no matter the area in which they lead.

Lead Like Jesus: A Leadership Model Filled with Grace

As part of a Vital Church Initiative Clergy Mentoring Group, Deacon Loretta and I meet monthly with other clergy leaders who are part of Vital Church Initiative. Each month we are asked to read a book on leadership or spiritual practices. I recently finished the assigned reading Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard (author of The One Minute Manager) and Phil Hodges.

The authors suggest that in his life on earth, Jesus modeled effective leadership. The book is separated into four specific characteristics, The heart, head, hands and habits of servant leaders. While some of the conclusions of the authors, seem to simply tie Jesus' leadership style to leadership prescriptions popular today, there are some thought-provoking sections.

Blanchard and Hodges emphasize that Jesus put the interest of others over his own. They spend time helping readers to sort out whether their "EGO" is "edging God out" or "exalting God only". There is a difference between a self-serving leader and a servant leader. The servant leader accepts feedback graciously and seeks to grow with it. The servant leader assumes that there will be a successor and works to empower other leaders. The servant leader understands they have been entrusted with responsibility only for a season, and they hold leadership humbly.

I was especially interested in the authors' guide for the habits needed to lead like Jesus. The list of leadership habits are helpful for anyone in any sort of leadership role, in business, the church or at home:
      The Habit of Solitude - take time for quiet to rest in God.
      The Habit of Prayer - look to the Gospels, examine Jesus' prayer habits, practice them
      The Habit of Dwelling in the Word - use the Bible as a guide for daily living
      The Habit of Trusting in God's Unconditional Love - lead with trust and hope in God
      The Habit of Intimate Community - develop a circle of friends for support and accountability

At the end of the book, Blanchard and Hodges make a case for leading like Jesus. They suggest that their is spiritual benefit at servant leaders seek the reign of God, honor God and put the love of Jesus into action. Practical reasons for leading like Jesus include: providing better service and leadership and closing the gap we tend to create between success and significance. Leading like Jesus means to work for meaning in our lives.

I would recommend this book to leaders who are seeking to reflect Jesus in their leadership style, no matter the area in which they lead.

Being a "Leaders' Leader", Reflecting on Empowering the Leaders of Brighton First

Kay Beech of Beech Photography Studio volunteered to take pictures of women at a recent "Ladies' Night Out" at Brighton First. I've been looking at this photo that she took that evening.

Photo courtesy of
Beech Photography Studio

I have been asking myself, "Is this a leader?"

I do see a pastor when I look at the picture. I've been pastoring churches since September 1991, 24 years. I've celebrated and prayed, mourned and served with hundreds of faithful people through the years and I've been blessed. I have specific notions of what it means to live out that identity.

As a result of my coaching session with VCI coach Naomi Garcia this morning, I'm looking at this picture and asking, "I see a pastor here, but do I see a leader?" Naomi and I spent some time talking about how I might be the best leader for the leaders of this church, a "Leaders' Leader".

We first talked about leading leaders to have the most productive and effective meetings. She challenged me to think about the way I offer information before and during meetings. How is my delivery perceived by different members of a team? How might I say things to bring everyone along? Who do I need to talk to in preparation for meetings?

Another area that Naomi pushed me on was trust and delegation. I tend to want to do all the follow up when team members are assigned tasks. Naomi helped me sort out the difference between my responsibility as a pastor and as a leaders' leader. I am called to comfort and encourage as a pastor. As a leader, I am called to empower leaders to hold the members of their team accountable. 

We also spent some time talking about the spiritual accountability of the leaders of Brighton First. In some churches, the pastor and/or leadership structure outlines very specific criteria in spiritual practice that leaders are required to follow. Required spiritual practices for leaders may include membership in a small group, regular worship attendance, tithing and/or daily prayer. While I am hesitant to call for specific spiritual practices to be a leader at Brighton First, I do understand the importance of being engaged in growing in the faith for every Christian.

I believe that each person's spiritual practices need to fit with their character and their style preferences. And whatever those spiritual practices are, the intention in observing them is to always be moving into deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

With Naomi's thoughtful questioning, I've decided to take on the task of spiritual leader to the leaders, by establishing individual baselines. That means that in the coming months, I have personal conversations with all leaders about their spiritual lives. My hope is to pray with them and offer resources and encouragement to continue growing in faith. And then, as the months go on to do regular check in.

By God's grace, these steps will not only strengthen my leadership at Brighton First, but will strengthen leaders for the ministry ahead.

Being a "Leaders' Leader", Reflecting on Empowering the Leaders of Brighton First

Kay Beech of Beech Photography Studio volunteered to take pictures of women at a recent "Ladies' Night Out" at Brighton First. I've been looking at this photo that she took that evening.

Photo courtesy of
Beech Photography Studio

I have been asking myself, "Is this a leader?"

I do see a pastor when I look at the picture. I've been pastoring churches since September 1991, 24 years. I've celebrated and prayed, mourned and served with hundreds of faithful people through the years and I've been blessed. I have specific notions of what it means to live out that identity.

As a result of my coaching session with VCI coach Naomi Garcia this morning, I'm looking at this picture and asking, "I see a pastor here, but do I see a leader?" Naomi and I spent some time talking about how I might be the best leader for the leaders of this church, a "Leaders' Leader".

We first talked about leading leaders to have the most productive and effective meetings. She challenged me to think about the way I offer information before and during meetings. How is my delivery perceived by different members of a team? How might I say things to bring everyone along? Who do I need to talk to in preparation for meetings?

Another area that Naomi pushed me on was trust and delegation. I tend to want to do all the follow up when team members are assigned tasks. Naomi helped me sort out the difference between my responsibility as a pastor and as a leaders' leader. I am called to comfort and encourage as a pastor. As a leader, I am called to empower leaders to hold the members of their team accountable. 

We also spent some time talking about the spiritual accountability of the leaders of Brighton First. In some churches, the pastor and/or leadership structure outlines very specific criteria in spiritual practice that leaders are required to follow. Required spiritual practices for leaders may include membership in a small group, regular worship attendance, tithing and/or daily prayer. While I am hesitant to call for specific spiritual practices to be a leader at Brighton First, I do understand the importance of being engaged in growing in the faith for every Christian.

I believe that each person's spiritual practices need to fit with their character and their style preferences. And whatever those spiritual practices are, the intention in observing them is to always be moving into deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

With Naomi's thoughtful questioning, I've decided to take on the task of spiritual leader to the leaders, by establishing individual baselines. That means that in the coming months, I have personal conversations with all leaders about their spiritual lives. My hope is to pray with them and offer resources and encouragement to continue growing in faith. And then, as the months go on to do regular check in.

By God's grace, these steps will not only strengthen my leadership at Brighton First, but will strengthen leaders for the ministry ahead.