Putting the Offense back in your Leadership

Just days before the 2010 Super Bowl, center stage was occupied by an unlikely candidate.  With high-octane offenses like the Colts and Saints on the field, we would have expected most media attention to be directed toward Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.  Though they are not forgotten, the lead story on sports talk the week leading up to the big game was the sprained ankle of defensive tackle, Dwight Freeney.  With offense being the claim to fame for each team, isn’t it interesting how an injury can so significantly change the focus?  

 

Perhaps it’s a shaky comparison, but could we surmise that a similar change in focus has occurred in the church?  In place of an offensive engagement in God’s grand plan to “go and tell,” have leaders adopted instead, a defensive posture to wait out the recession before taking their next steps of faith?  

 

I’m aware of a church that recently announced that their 2010 budget would be flat; the same as the 2009 budget, which was the same as the 2008 budget.  After looking at Wall Street, reading economists’ views, and listening to people, this church made an intentional decision to remain status quo on budget.  The only person I didn’t hear referenced in the budget explanation was God.  I wonder if He had some significant plans in mind for the church in 2010?

 

In past ENews, we’ve looked at the first three steps in ISS’ plan for generosity culture-building: Environmental Assessment, Strategic Development, and Tactical Design.  In this issue, we address Briefing – a term we use to describe the equipping, envisioning, and empowering of leaders.

 

Leadership author, Max Dupree, writes, “The first job of a leader is to define reality.”  Within the church, that means the pastor needs to help outline the current conditions facing the church, as well as define the vision [compelling image of an achievable future] that expresses the church’s direction.  Question of the day…as godly leaders, how can we appropriately equip, empower, and envision for our people, if we’re more focused on “defense” than “offense?”

 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  {Romans 8:28, ESV}  If we really believe God’s Word, wouldn’t we have to embrace this recession as being from the hand of God, intended for our good?

 

John Piper offers wonderful insight on the recession that is absolutely relevant for our leadership today.  The recession:

 

 

As you read this article, the Super Bowl will be in our rearview mirror [I hope we’re celebrating a Saints win!], but the opportunities to trust God and see His mission advanced still lie ahead.  As leaders, do we have a responsibility to empathize with those in our churches who are struggling financially?  Sure; without question.  

 

At the same time however, our leadership is needed like never before.  We can embrace today’s reality as being from the hand of a loving God; designed to conform us to the image of His Son, as we advance God’s mission in our corner of the world.

 

ISS is ready to assist you and your church with your plans to advance the Kingdom.  Please call us today to discuss the next steps in seeing your vision for ministry move closer to reality.