As we enter a new year, I thought you would be interested in reading what qualities seek in a leader.  These results are reported in Strengths Based Leadership by Rath and Conchie.

 

The Gallup organization surveyed some 10,000 people around the world, asking them to identify a leader who has made or makes a positive contribution to their life and then, in their own words, to list three words that described what the leader contributed to their life. The results had remarkable consistency, with over 1000 respondents listing the same words. I was immediately struck by how they echo foundational Biblical themes.

 

Gallup pollsters found that people need a leader who:

 

• Builds trust
• Shows compassion
• Provides stability
• Creates hope

Do not these characteristics sound like they come straight from the Bible? Think of Moses encouraging the people of Israel to follow him through the sea to a promised land. What trust the people had to have (even though they often complained bitterly!). How about Jesus' disciples leaving their nets and following this new prophet?

 

Think of the many scripture passages extolling God's love and compassion and similar passages urging God's people to love one another. They are far too numerous to mention here, but I think of Psalm 23, Psalm 139, Luke 10:25-37, John 15:9-13, 1 Corinthians 13, and 1 John 4:7-21, among others.

 

We proclaim God's strength and stability. Psalm 62:2 declares that God is our rock and salvation. Jesus stills the sea (Luke 8:22-25). Paul assures the people that though the ship would be lost, nobody would drown. (Acts 27:22)

 

We pastors do not so much create hope as we point to the God who gives ultimate hope. Think of the apostle declaring, "By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1: 4-5).

 

Here are key foundation stones on which a pastor can build and maintain strong relationships with a congregation. Since the pastor is the key leader of a congregation, you set the tone. As I think about pastors who have had led vital congregations, I think of any number who have built trust, shown compassion, provided stability, and who thus created hope and real change.

 

Please reflect on how you are building trust, showing compassion, providing stability, and creating hope in the congregation you serve.  How might you strengthen your leadership?

 

 

 

To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others by Daniel H. Pink

 

 

Do you consider yourself  in the sales business?  If you are a church leader, you are a salesperson!

 

Researcher and writer Daniel Pink asserts that virtually everyone is more or less in sales.  Whether you're a church leader (pastor or board member), teacher, doctor, or in business to sell cars or refrigerators, you are selling something.  Pink defines selling as "moving someone to part with something that is important to them (e.g. money, time, energy) - not to deprive that person, but to leave him better off in the end." (p. 38 slightly edited)

 

He rejects the old ABC's of selling "Always Be Closing" and asserts that there is a new set of ABC's: Attunement, Buoyancy, and Clarity.  Here's how these qualities might show up in a pastor:

 

Attunement implies that you would be tuned in to both a person's emotions (this is a form of empathy) and also into the person's situation and circumstances. For example, you would show compassion and understanding to that distraught parishioner who just lost a spouse and also help the person take advantage of resources such as grief support groups, new activities, and spiritual support.

 

Buoyancy implies that you are positive and hopeful most of the time.  You aren't a naive optimist, expecting all will work out.  But you know that when bad things happen, good things often follow.  You communicate optimism and hope.

 

Clarity turns a salesperson from someone who simply pushes the virtues of a product (e.g. this car's many wonderful features) into one who works with the client to determine what the client really needs.  Effective pastors help their congregations clarify the source of problems and deal with basic causes rather than symptoms.  So when someone criticizes the direction of the congregation, you might take the time to explore your antagonist's perspective.  Is she simply seeking attention?  Is he feeling ignored by younger leaders?  Does she have important data about demographic changes that you and other leaders have ignored?  When a newcomer visits your congregation, you don't just extol what you have to offer, but take time to really listen for what that newcomer is seeking.  Based on what newcomers tell you, you may adapt an existing program or start something entirely new.

 

I encourage you to read this book and consider how it describes the work of a church leader.  As you seek to proclaim the Gospel and move people to become disciples of Christ, you are in fact asking people to part with time and money and energy.  Do it well and you will help lead them into a much better life! 

What books or resources have you found