Issue #2, March 5, 2009
I met a guy walking in the park one day and we struck up a conversation. When he learned that I was a Christian he excitedly told me about his pastor. “He’s such a great guy. He’s such a perfectionist he won’t even let anyone else help with the bulletin.” Before I could offer him some leadership training he continued, “I’m not such a great Christian, but my pastor says that’s okay because if I was, I wouldn’t need him!”
His pastor, like many Christian leaders, believes that his job is to work hard and serve the rest of the church. Noble intent, but this is not leadership, it is ministry. What’s the difference? Ministry is doing the ‘stuff’ of the church. It’s producing the bulletins, visiting the sick, counseling, encouraging, setting up the chairs, etc. Leadership is a different issue altogether. Paul says clearly that leaders in the church are supposed to equip others to do the work, “to prepare God's people for works of service,…” (Eph 4:12). Leadership is providing direction, motivation, and training that empowers and develops others.
This concept is especially tough for servant leaders. Aren’t we supposed to serve others? Absolutely! But we can serve others by doing the work of ministry or by providing Godly leadership. It’s the difference between coaching the team and playing the game. Even if a coach is an excellent player, he would be foolish to get on the field and play. The team needs a coach and he serves the players by providing the leadership they need. Jesus led with the heart of a servant, but he didn’t do all the serving! Servant leaders are focused on the needs of the followers and will meet their needs. But they serve by directing instead of doing.
Does this mean a servant leader shouldn’t do any ministry work? Of course not. As a part of the body of Christ he/she will also do the ‘work of ministry.’ But the leader should understand that while every believer is called to do ministry, only leaders will provide the direction that is needed for the body to move forward. If the leader only ministers, who will lead?
Why is this such a difficult concept? Ministry is easier than leadership and more quickly feeds our ego with immediate results. Further, most church leaders have been trained for ministry, not leadership and find it difficult to know how Christian leadership should be expressed.
Do you serve by ministering, or do you serve by leading?
For further reflection and discussion:
- What have you experienced as a leadership model…a minister or a leader? How has that impacted your view of leadership?
- What are other reasons that it is more difficult to lead than to ‘minister’?
- What percentage of his/her time should a leader spend doing ministry and how much providing leadership?
- In what way are you currently providing leadership at home, in your career and in your church?