The kindergarten teacher lines up her class for a trip to the cafeteria or the restroom. “Who wants to be the leader?” she asks. Immediately, every little hand in the line shoots up. “Me! I want to be the leader.” “No, me! It’s my turn!” The demand is so great, the teacher must take turns, making sure every child has an opportunity to be out front.
A group of neighborhood kids gather in somebody’s playroom and decide to play school. An argument immediately begins because they all want to be the teacher. They all want to lead. Some will storm off crying after being denied the position.
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The teacher of the adult Sunday School class informs his small group that he will be out of town next week. “Who wants to be the substitute teacher for the class next week?” he inquires. Not a single hand goes up. The editor of the church newsletter needs someone to volunteer to cover a ministry event this weekend. There are no takers. The refreshment committee needs a captain to schedule workers for making coffee and distributing donuts during Sunday worship. Nobody wants that job.
Vulnerable leaders
Somewhere between childhood and the onset of maturity, we lose the desire to lead.
In fact, we often take steps to avoid it at all costs. It’s not surprising, really. Unlike childhood leadership, where you get to boss others around and you set all the rules, standing out front as an adult makes you vulnerable. An easy target. You make decisions and set the course of action, while others lay back, criticize and second guess. You are held liable for results and consequences, while they pass the buck and point the finger. You recruit and cajole, while they complain of lack of help. Small wonder leaders are hard to find.
Yet without them, nothing gets accomplished.
When Jesus began his adult ministry the very first thing He did was to recruit leaders. The disciples would go on to do the same. They saw the need, they committed to the mission, they trusted in the will of God for their lives.
It’s no different now. Leading is challenging, but you can do it. See the need, commit to the mission, trust the power. The view from the crowd is much clearer at the front.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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