How Do I Lead?

There is always a healthy tension between following and leading. There's also a tension between being content with who I am and aspiring to be a more effective leader. But the granddaddy of all tensions for me in my leadership is hearing how 'everyone' else is successfully leading and appreciating all of the 'ways' they do it, while still remaining who I am and acting on what God has called ME to do. I question too little what others say I should do and too much what I sense God is telling me to do. It's time for me to unpack who I am...who God is...and where He is calling my heart to join His in every facet of leading.

Here's some of what I'm sensing...

1. My desire to be relevant and 'successful' must decrease and my only desire is to communicate by words and actions to my brothers/sisters of humanity - YOU are loved. YOUR story matters.
2. It's great for me to have well informed opinions about my culture, but what matters is that my leadership is rooted in the intimate and permanent relationship with Jesus - who I find the source of my words, counsel, and guidance. My leadership has to come more from the mystical than from the moral.
3. I'm a vulnerable servant who needs the people as much as they need from me as a leader.
4. I must be willing to confess my brokenness and sin and journey.
5. My maturity as a leader is the ability and willingness to be led where I'd rather not go.
6. I'm called to help people hear God's voice - so they can be comforted, healed, and sent.