A few years ago I heard someone ask the president of Wheaton College, "What's the most important part of your job?" His answer has stuck with me ever since. "My primary job is to have a good answer to the question I'm asked most frequently: 'How are things at Wheaton College?'" I’d never before considered that a part of a leader’s skill set. But his answer is actually just a more humane version of Max Depree's axiom: "The first task of a leader is to define reality." A leader has to accurately assess the situation, and, to quote Peter Drucker, "to keep the main thing the main thing."
While leaders will find themselves in lots of different situations, in almost every case, they will find a way to clarify the situation, focus people’s efforts on the main thing, and act with confidence. They do that even when circumstances are less than clear. Even when they don't know what will happen.
Leadership skills are many and varied. But at the core of them all is the ability to discern and articulate the status and the direction of the organization. Where are we? And where are we going? Lots of people and lots of circumstances will conspire to distract and confuse you. If you can keep your poise when people all around you are losing theirs, you are probably a leader. These articles, our best on the topic, will help you with the particulars.
“How’s Your Church Doing?”
Leaders are tempted to answer that question with numbers. But John Ortberg suggests better ways to answer. What God’s doing in your church may be bigger than anything you can measure.
Vision Leaks
How do you keep the church’s passion for ministry from deflating? Andy Stanley’s phrase “vision leaks” has become part of the leadership vocabulary, and in this article, he explains and illustrates the ever-present reality.
Three Overlooked Leadership Roles
We’re familiar with pastors and teachers, but today’s world needs a leadership team that also includes APE, three biblical but forgotten functions, says Alan Hirsch. Your leadership team will need some of each.
Equipping the Saints to Lead
As you gather your team, train them to lead along with you, says Larry Osborne, who has found ever-fresh ways to raise up not just followers but a multiplicity of leaders. An overlooked leadership skill is preparing the team for your eventual absence.
Your Church’s Apgar
A new way to measure spiritual vitality, by Kevin A. Miller. One of the hardest jobs of a leader is to know what your organization is really about. This article gives clarity to an often confusing situation.
The Strong-Willed Leader
There is a difference between a surrendered will and a weak will, says John Ortberg. When Jesus concluded his prayer in Gethsemane, “Not my will but thine,” he demonstrated that his will, while strong, was devoted to a cause larger than himself. That’s essential for any servant leader.
Leadership Foundations
Here are some of the building blocks of leadership, the traits, the skills, and the essential practices that you’ll need in whatever leadership role you’re assigned. This is an excellent overview that you can use to train new and developing leaders.
Learning from the Biggest Ministry Mistakes
Wouldn’t it be great to go throughout your whole ministry and make all the right decisions? Of course, you’re going to have some missteps in ministry, but that doesn’t mean you can’t minimize them by learning from other seasoned leaders. In this resource, church leaders share their testimonies of lessons learned.
Leadership from a Higher Plane
A lesson from Robert E. Lee, by Marshall Shelley. One of a leader’s most difficult and most important skills is discerning what isn’t immediately obvious. There’s always more to the situation than meets the eye.
5 Leadership Essentials
The most important things a leader does, by Bill Hybels, who is one of the most focused students of leadership I’ve ever met. This summary is a great starting point for any leadership development.
