A Leader of No Reputation
When God places the same message in my path over and over…I get it. He wants me to “LISTEN UP”. Listening has become my “theme” of the season. Hense, the cover of my current prayer journal.
A few weeks ago a ministry friend sent me a copy of an article called Becoming a Leader of No Reputation. Like many forwarded “you have to read this” emails I receive each week, it sat for a long time in my “in box”.
Lucky for me, it was not deleted.
Something about the title made me hang on to it for later. “A Leader of No Reputation”. Hmmm…….
The article was written by an organizational President (I connect with that) who, due to a ministry Anniversary (This year is my 25th Anniversary of serving as Founder and President of what has become an International Sanctity of Life Ministry), was reflecting upon his “legacy” (I connect with that).
He starts off saying he has a confession to make about a personal failure in his leadership position (I connect with that).
I read on and spent the next hour reliving my past 25 years as a ministry leader through his written words.
The article* was so full of truth and wisdom, I just couldn’t bear to have it dropped into a pile of “great reads” and highlighted truths. I wanted a way to capture Mr Rodin’s insight. So, I decided to break it apart this week, out loud, here on my blog.
Maybe some young leader who possibly happens upon it, might get a heads up ahead of me and Mr Rodin.
Point One:
“Christian Leadership” requires nothing less than a complete, wholesale sell-out” of your life in service to God and God only. It is the “losing of your life” to the work God will do in you TO BENEFIT YOUR institution, school, church or organization”. And the stakes are high.”
Amen.
When I stepped into ministry 25 years ago, I had no clue I was even STEPPING into a lifetime of service to God, much less that I was about to “loose my life” for heavens sake :). I simply had a passion to share the amazing grace God had poured upon my past so that others might experience the same freedom. I blindly stepped into a role that I begged others to take but no one would. I simply took up a cause that needed to be heard, always assuming that it would be a short gig. Here I am 25 years later. I have been a wife, a mother of 3 and now am Grandmother of 5, all the while, wondering if the “gig” is done.
God has captured my life, one day at a time.
One failure at a time. One miracle at a time.
One friend lost at a time. One friend gained at a time.
One low bank account at a time. One big donor check at a time.
One baffling decision at a time. One successful risk at a time.
One morning of laying on the tear drenched carpet begging God to set me free at a time. One jumping up and down shouting and singing His praises at a time.
One lost life at a time. One saved life at a time.
Christian Leadership is surely a “complete, wholesale sell-out of your life in service to God and God only”.
I am kind of glad I had no idea, I might have run away as fast as I could and missed it.
How about you??
ALL who serve God are leading SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE.
What direction do Mr Rodins words throw your thinking??
*Becoming a Leader of No Reputation, by R. Scott Rodin, printed in the Journal of Religious Leadership, Vol 1, No 2 (Fall 2002) pp.105-119
I almost Forgot….In honor or my own Birthday month—FEBRUARY—
I am giving away a Made to Carve KIT on February 26Th to one of my blog guests/commenters during the month!
Join us on tonight’s Webcast! See you there.
Cannot wait to go spend some time reading this article. Thanks for posting the link. Obviously the issue of LEGACY resonates with me since it is the sole focus of my Bible study. I want to do ministry the way Jesus would do it and because of that I need to periodically (maybe every day) consider whether I am wholly and completely sold out to Jesus!!
BTW, I’m doing a Valentine’s Day giveaway over at The Point for anyone who likes chocolate???!!!! Anyone?
Leah
Excellent article. I am left with one big question for myself. I CAN trust God, BUT can God trust me?
Well, I’m very certain I am not the most frequent commenter – and this is the last day of the month, but I just wanted to say that I still want to win the MTC kit! I have been watching the webcasts and seeing your tweets there 🙂 Well, good luck to whomever makes the most comments! Love ya!
Hi Ladies!!
Leah,
I know that Legacy is your passion. What a precious topic and so timely!!
Thank you for your encouraging visits!
xoxo
BTW….I WILL be over to visit your yummy give-away!!
Ann,
I am not God 🙂 but based upon what I SAW of your heart in Alaska….the answer is Y.E.S!!!!
Stay the course friend, we need each other!!
Kay,
The contest starts TODAY so you are tied for the lead 🙂
Thank you for stopping by!!
Pat
What a great way to celebrate your birthday!! Will check out your blog after the webcast!!
I’ve heard so much about this article. Can’t wait to read it! I’m a “new” leader, so I appreciate all the insight that seasoned leaders can offer. Can’t wait to read Made to Crave as well…would love the whole kit to be able to share the experience with friends.
Hi Tonni, don’t you just love those webcast. They make me feel like part of a sweet sisterhood. Thank you so much for stopping by!!
Kirsten…a “new” leader…YhooHooo!! If you are like me, from NEW..to NOW, I love to learn from others and share the journey. Let me know if I can help you in any way!
Blessings,
Pat
Wow! So glad you took the time to share your heart & the article that inspired your post.
“It doesn’t matter if the world knows, or sees or understands,
the only applause we are meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands.”
MORE OF HIM; less of me…
Thank you! This article is a keeper!
I saw your tweets at the webcast tonight & just had to stop by to see your blog. (My internet went down half-way through the webcast so I will have to go back tomorrow to catch what I missed.) I enjoyed your post and look forward to coming back again! I especially want to check out “A Leader of No Reputation”. May God continue to bless you as you serve Him!
Thank you Karla. I visited your blog and actually had your next webcast on my calendar!!
I am so happy to meet you and would love to share a webcast. I will connect soon.
And yes, the article is one that will be re-read many times!
Marilyn,
Thanks so much for stopping by. I am honored. There are lots of great blogs out there so a new visitor is a treasure!
i am new to this so can you please tell me how to get to the webcast and what time it will be on tonight? thank you so much
I went to your blog after watching the webcast. I’ve seen them all and am so inspired by them!! I would love to have the book. If I don’t win it here, I may eventually buy it! God seems to have changed so many lives through it!