THE SECRET OF LEADERSHIP

On June 4, 2004, we chose to use an entry from Jo's journal on Honesty in Leadership, which I have used today as  The Secret of Leadership.  Taken from Proverbs 19:19 and 28:21, the Word is , "A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond."  and "He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue."


And the entry goes on to say, "Between these two proverbs hides instructions of honesty in leadership.
          1) Mere words won't do the job.  The best way to correct is by modeling the behavior that is
 desired.  This is the place to start.  Modeling behavior is showing what one desires of another.
 For instance, showing how to forgive is done by forgiving.  Therefore, one must be open to one's own mistakes, being repentant for them.


          2) Sometimes one must use words, taking the risk of hurting the person deeply.  Love must be richly spread upon that person, like butter on hot toast.  Not flattering, but encouraging, giving inclusion, sharing spirit and time spent.   In the long run, it will bring joy."


(And then the prayer.) "God, help me to imitate these actions if I am ever called to do so.  Amen."


Now comes the confession!  I have had a number of jobs in my years of working for the Lord, and most have been satisfactory, I think.  But, I have had a couple which have been catastrophic! My first job in our first church was to be the person who arranges for mothers to attend the Sunday School which their pre-schooler attended, in order to have adult coverage, and also, to be available for the person hired to attend the nursery. The first part was easy; it was a new church and everyone wanted to help. The second part should have been easy, too, but the person in charge was from an eastern-European country where they had different habits than did our American women. I was asked to see what could be done about the "air" in the small nursery,  especially warmed for our babies in cribs.


I made a trip to the person's home, where she was expecting a "friend" to visit, having few  in this country.  In the long run, no matter how my words attempted to be thankful and accepting, and yet to the point, the person left the church, humiliated.  To this day, I grieve over my poor attempt to be a friend that cares.


 Yet, for all my sadness at not  being a perfect leader, I have a deep love for the church and its pastors, hoping Jesus someday will speak to be about my "failures", and share a giggle with me, for He is certain to be thankful that I tried.


Jo INMN