It's amazing how many people think leadership is about making people happy. I tell those around me that my role is not to guarantee their happiness. If someone looks to you for their happiness, the day will come when they will be offended, disappointed, or upset by something you did or said, rightly or wrongly. You would be denying them something that is a matter of life and death for them. I said this Sunday that I have learned to be wary of people who love me too much, who love themselves too much, and Jesus not enough. Yes, some love you, love themselves, and love no one else. It's dangerous and frightening.
They will be unhappy when you frown, happy when you smile and grumpy when you don't comply with their requests. And they are often the meanest and most unpleasant when things don't work out. Every leader needs people around them who have chosen to be there, and who know the meaning of the word 'commitment,' not those who are there because it makes them feel good. I have learned to look at people's hearts and see if they are committed to the cause of Christ or if they simply want to be at the side of the 'servant' and 'servant of God.' When people put you on a pedestal, prepare cushions to break the fall, because it is inevitable, but at least you can soften the blow.
It is important not to become slaves to the people you are supposed to lead; slaves to their moods and their petty sins, which must above all be kept quiet in the preaching, at the risk of seeing them leave with a bang and a loss. This emasculation of leaders does not serve the cause of the gospel in an increasingly relativistic postmodern society. Be courageous.
English version
It's an amazing thing how many people think that leadership is about making people happy. I constantly tell the people around me that their happiness is not in me. If people are looking to you to make them happy, they will one day end up upset, end up disappointed, end up irritated. You will refuse something that they think is a matter of life and death. I said while preaching this Sunday that I have learned to be wary of people who love me too much and Jesus not enough.
Some people love themselves, love you and no one else. That is dangerous and frightening. They will be miserable when you frown, happy when you smile and resentful when you do not scratch their itch. And they are often the most vicious and unpleasant when things don't work out. Leaders need people around them who are there by choice and commitment not because it makes them feel good. I have learned to look at people's hearts and see if they are committed to the cause of Christ or simply want to hang out with the woman of God. When people put you on a pedestal, get a foam cushion because you will fall off, at least try to make it less painful.
The last thing you want is to become slaves of the very people you are meant to lead, to become enslaved to their whims and fancies, to their pet sins that heaven forbid you preach about on threat of departure. This emasculation of leaders works against the cause of the gospel in our increasingly relativistic post-modern society. God grant you courage.
