Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

I've always been a music buff, especially the "classic rock" genre. Growing up in Toronto in the 1970's, my transistor radio was always tuned in to local AM radio stations 680 CFTR and 1050 CHUM for all the latest rock and roll hits. Disc jockeys back then seemed to have much more personality than they do today, each with their own special "hook" that made them memorable. I still remember one DJ who always signed off his broadcast time with the slogan, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way!" Decades later, his slogan still strikes a chord with me, since I've always been conce ed about having a true assessment of my God-given leadership ability. I've always wanted to be certain which one of those three was my appropriate course of action. When you read the English word "sin" in your Bible, it was most likely translated from the Greek word "hamartia" or "hamartano". Literally translated, it means "to miss the mark". Do you know of anyone who is missing the mark when it comes to leadership? Do you know someone who is in a leadership position but is simply not gifted as a leader? Do you know someone who is called to be a leader but is reluctant to accept that call? Do you know someone who just needs to get out of the way? Does it change your perspective when you consider that working with a flawed assessment of your leadership ability can be considered sin? My friend Marc Pitman is a talented guy. For the last four years he helped plant and pastor a new church in Waterville, Maine. Yet after four years he realized that the Vineyard Church of Waterville had progressed as far as his leadership would take it. Marc loves his people. He swallowed his pride and made the difficult and painful decision to "get out of the way" so someone else could continue what he had started. That is the mark of a true leader. I can't even begin to describe how much I admire him for that. Another friend of mine is in virtually the same situation. He is a good man with many talents, but leadership is not one of them. Still, he was placed in a position of leadership. He gave it his all, and took his young church as far as his ability would allow. But then, perhaps unaware of his leadership limitations, he has stayed in that position and refused to get out of the way. The past year for him and his church has been a slow and painful death spiral that has left many good families hurt and disillusioned, physically, mentally and spiritually spent. Constructive feedback from true leaders has been dismissed and all that remains is a small core of "yes men" long on personal desire but short on vision. What an unfortunate ending for something that started with so much hope and promise. Not everyone is called to be a leader, and that's ok. We glorify God by using the talents and opportunities He has given us, and also by making room for others to use theirs. Sometimes it's just a matter of knowing when to lead, when to follow, and when to get out of the way. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. - Romans 12:6-8