Redefining Leadership: Influence, Growth, and Kingdom Values

 

Summary

Leadership is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond traditional roles and titles. Every individual, created in the image of God, is inherently a leader, endowed with the capacity to influence and make a difference in the world. This intrinsic leadership is about exercising dominion and creativity in service to the good, as envisioned in the scriptures. However, leadership also has a narrower definition, often associated with organizational roles and the spiritual gift of leadership, which involves specific skills like team building and strategic thinking.

In today's culture, leadership is sometimes idolized, leading to a skewed perception where those without the organizational gift feel less significant. It's crucial to recognize that leadership is just one of many gifts, each vital to the Kingdom of God. The essence of leadership is not about elevating oneself but about creating environments where others can contribute and thrive. This perspective aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the disproportionate impact of small, faithful acts over grandiose displays of power.

Technology has reshaped leadership, introducing the concept of influencers who can reach vast audiences. While this can be positive, it also poses the risk of fostering a false self, where one's online persona diverges from their true identity. The challenge is to use technology as a tool for genuine connection and kingdom-building, rather than self-promotion.

Comparison is another pitfall in leadership. It can lead to dissatisfaction and hinder one's ability to appreciate their unique gifts. Embracing one's God-given strengths and celebrating others' gifts fosters a collaborative spirit essential for Kingdom work. Leadership, when aligned with Jesus' values, transcends organizational boundaries and becomes a means to advance God's Kingdom in all areas of life.

Ultimately, success in leadership is not about metrics or outward appearances but about faithfulness and growth. It's about aligning our personal and organizational goals with God's Kingdom, ensuring that our efforts are rooted in genuine love and service. By focusing on growth rather than forced scale, we honor the natural processes God has built into the universe, trusting that in due time, our efforts will bear fruit.

Key Takeaways:

- Intrinsic Leadership: Every person is a leader by virtue of being made in God's image, with the capacity to influence and create for the good. This intrinsic leadership is about exercising dominion and creativity in service to God's purposes. [01:52]

- Organizational Leadership: While everyone is a leader in a broad sense, organizational leadership is a specific gift involving skills like team building and strategic thinking. It's important to recognize and celebrate this gift without idolizing it, as it is one of many gifts in the Kingdom. [03:19]

- Technology and Leadership: Technology has introduced new dimensions to leadership, such as the role of influencers. While it offers opportunities for connection, it also poses risks of fostering a false self. Leaders must use technology to genuinely connect and build God's Kingdom, not for self-promotion. [09:42]

- Comparison and Gifts: Comparison can hinder one's ability to appreciate their unique gifts and those of others. Embracing one's strengths and celebrating others' gifts fosters collaboration and advances the Kingdom. Leadership aligned with Jesus' values transcends organizational boundaries. [14:00]

- Success and Growth: True success in leadership is about faithfulness and growth, not metrics or appearances. By focusing on growth rather than forced scale, we honor God's natural processes, trusting that our efforts will bear fruit in due time. [27:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - The Leader's Challenge
- [01:06] - Everyone as a Leader
- [02:34] - Organizational Leadership
- [03:49] - Spiritual Gift of Leadership
- [05:09] - Leadership in High Cultures
- [07:00] - Leadership's True Place
- [08:42] - Technology's Impact on Leadership
- [10:49] - Pastoring in the Digital Age
- [12:15] - Personal Leadership Journey
- [14:19] - The Pain of Comparison
- [16:20] - Kingdom and Organizational Leadership
- [18:28] - Corporate vs. Church Leadership
- [20:37] - Defining Success in Leadership
- [25:22] - Jesus as Our Leadership Model
- [27:43] - Growth vs. Forced Scale

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:26-28 - "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"
2. Romans 12:6-8 - "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
3. John 21:21-22 - "When Peter saw him, he asked, 'Lord, what about him?' Jesus answered, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.'"

Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 1:26-28, what responsibilities were given to mankind as a reflection of being made in God's image?
2. In Romans 12:6-8, what are some of the spiritual gifts mentioned, and how is leadership described among them?
3. How does the interaction between Jesus and Peter in John 21:21-22 illustrate the issue of comparison among believers?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being made in God's image relate to the idea of intrinsic leadership as discussed in the sermon? [01:06]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the potential pitfalls of idolizing organizational leadership, and how does this relate to the broader understanding of spiritual gifts? [05:37]
3. How can technology both positively and negatively impact one's leadership, according to the sermon? [09:42]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that comparison can hinder one's ability to appreciate their unique gifts and those of others? [14:19]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways do you see yourself exercising intrinsic leadership, as described in Genesis 1:26-28? How can you further develop this aspect of your life?
2. Consider the spiritual gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. Which gift do you feel most aligns with your strengths, and how can you use it to serve others more effectively?
3. The sermon discusses the risk of fostering a false self through technology. How can you ensure that your online presence aligns with your true identity and values? [09:42]
4. Think about a time when you compared yourself to others in a way that was unhelpful. How can you shift your focus to celebrate your unique gifts and those of others, as encouraged in the sermon? [14:19]
5. How can you create environments in your community or workplace that allow others to contribute and thrive, as suggested by the sermon? [07:39]
6. Reflect on the concept of success as faithfulness and growth rather than metrics. How can you apply this perspective to your personal and professional goals? [22:47]
7. Identify one area in your life where you might be forcing scale rather than allowing natural growth. What steps can you take to align more closely with God's natural processes? [27:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Intrinsic Leadership: Created to Influence for Good
Every person is inherently a leader because they are made in the image of God. This intrinsic leadership is not about holding a title or position but about the capacity to influence and create for the good of others and the world. It involves exercising dominion and creativity in service to God's purposes, as envisioned in the scriptures. This understanding of leadership calls individuals to recognize their potential to make a difference, regardless of their role or status. It is a call to action, to use one's unique gifts and talents to contribute positively to the world around them. [01:52]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you exercise your God-given influence to bring about positive change in your immediate environment today?


Day 2: Celebrating Organizational Leadership Without Idolizing It
Organizational leadership is a specific gift that involves skills like team building and strategic thinking. While everyone is a leader in a broad sense, those with the gift of organizational leadership play a crucial role in guiding and structuring communities and organizations. It is important to recognize and celebrate this gift without idolizing it, as it is one of many gifts in the Kingdom of God. This perspective helps prevent the skewed perception that those without this gift are less significant. Instead, it encourages a balanced view where all gifts are valued and seen as vital to the Kingdom's work. [03:19]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: How can you appreciate and support the organizational leaders in your community while also valuing the unique gifts you and others bring to the table?


Day 3: Navigating Technology's Impact on Leadership
Technology has introduced new dimensions to leadership, such as the role of influencers who can reach vast audiences. While this offers opportunities for connection and kingdom-building, it also poses risks of fostering a false self, where one's online persona diverges from their true identity. The challenge for leaders is to use technology as a tool for genuine connection and service, rather than self-promotion. This requires intentionality and discernment to ensure that one's online presence aligns with their true values and mission. [09:42]

Proverbs 27:19 (ESV): "As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man."

Reflection: Consider your online presence. Does it reflect your true identity and values? What changes can you make to ensure it aligns with your mission to build God's Kingdom?


Day 4: Embracing Unique Gifts and Fostering Collaboration
Comparison can hinder one's ability to appreciate their unique gifts and those of others. It can lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of appreciation for the diverse talents within a community. Embracing one's God-given strengths and celebrating others' gifts fosters a collaborative spirit essential for Kingdom work. Leadership, when aligned with Jesus' values, transcends organizational boundaries and becomes a means to advance God's Kingdom in all areas of life. This approach encourages a culture of mutual respect and support, where everyone is empowered to contribute their best. [14:00]

Romans 12:4-6 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."

Reflection: How can you actively celebrate and support the unique gifts of those around you today, fostering a spirit of collaboration and unity?


Day 5: Redefining Success in Leadership
True success in leadership is not about metrics or outward appearances but about faithfulness and growth. It involves aligning personal and organizational goals with God's Kingdom, ensuring that efforts are rooted in genuine love and service. By focusing on growth rather than forced scale, leaders honor the natural processes God has built into the universe, trusting that in due time, their efforts will bear fruit. This perspective shifts the focus from immediate results to long-term impact and faithfulness to God's calling. [27:43]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: What are some ways you can shift your focus from immediate results to long-term faithfulness and growth in your leadership journey?

Quotes


On the one hand every human being is made in the image of God and God said that I will give you Dominion and so we were all created to be difference makers we all have a need to be significant we all have a need to have impact. [00:01:06]

In that sense I think it's a bit more like evangelism or giving where we're all to evangelize and we're all to give but some people have particular wiring that makes them especially alive and gifted in this area and I think that leadership and that narrower sense will involve things like the ability to develop people and the ability to build a team. [00:02:52]

Leadership just gets put up on a pedestal sometimes in ways that are quite Goofy and add pressure to the leader and there's certain kinds of pressure that come with leadership absolutely but it's not a more important gift than anything else and I think good leaders recognize that. [00:07:24]

One way that it shifted is like a whole nother runway for leaders now is just influencers I don't remember people used to being called influencers but now with online technology available that notion that I can create a platform and build my own brand and then count how many people are my followers and become an influencer at some level that didn't used to be a thing. [00:08:36]

I think technology is a tool and if we keep it in that right place so it serves the vision it serves the work that we do I feel like I'm able to meet with a lot more people yeah because I'll look at my meetings and think these are perfectly suited to zoom these need to be in person sure but I can get done in a morning what with my job driving around the Bay Area might take me a couple of days. [00:09:49]

I think that's been part of the complexity of that Journey that word was so vague and important that I had no bad combination too isn't it yeah yeah yep and I had no sense of that distinction between being made in God's image and having worth and wanting to make a difference and doing the kind of organizational leadership tasks that are really important. [00:12:03]

It's this this sin of comparison that I think gets in the way of us leaning into what God made us to be instead of looking over and saying oh I wish I was like her and you always want to be like the best part of somebody else so pretty soon I've collected 25 people that I want to be like but only the best parts of them well that's that's impossible. [00:15:00]

I think organizational leadership is a component of Kingdom leadership it's not the only piece of it and then I think looking at the values of Jesus and challenging our own leadership like I do think understanding certain business principles for leadership in the church is great because like John said running a business running a shop that is their Ministry. [00:16:24]

I think metrics are good and fraught I love that word so how do we talk about that as a team we've set these goals we want to pursue them we want to hold ourselves accountable to them and yet we realize that we are in the job of doing things that are out of our control when I when I set metrics and we go after them strongly I also run the risk of building an inauthentic culture. [00:20:46]

Success often carries connotations of looking successful and being applauded so I want to be careful about not trying to have the appearance of a successful person the church where we were at for many years Menlo Park its shadow mission was named by its previous Pastor many years ago a successful church for Successful People. [00:22:59]

I think one of the things he's telling us is I have built into the Universe Scale oh yes you know if I if I plant it and I've done this before plant a bunch of seeds outside I don't go dig them up every day to see how the root system is growing I trust that the seed will do what the seed will do over time so he's not against scale. [00:25:36]

The question there is am I seeing growth and or am I forcing scale yes yes yes and so that if there's not growth that I want to ask why is there not What's blocking that be really open but then if I think I can force scale right uh uh if I make myself look better sound smarter manipulate people more I can grow my whatever more and more and anytime we start forcing scale. [00:26:42]

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Transcript
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