Identity in Leading - "what do you think of me?"

Many people say that I have a 1 string guitar that I always play - it's always about identity, identity and identity.  All the discipling and leader developing I do is based on a framework of gospel-centered Identity, Community and Mission.  So...yes...Identity is core, critical, essential.

One of the questions it seems that all leaders are asking internally and constantly is "what do you think of me?"  Other versions are "what is my place in the organization?", "what are others thinking about my work / contribution?" or having to constantly answer the question "now what is it again that you do?"  I've learned that if you don't firmly answer this question in your own heart and head then you'll never be able to answer it for others nor have really sustainability in leadership.  How and when do you ask this?  How do you answer this?

Paul answered this for himself and for us in 1 Cor. 4:1 - "This is how you should think about us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."  Paul had settled in his own heart that it wasn't about position for him or about power but rather he had a clear-cut calling from God.  He was to be a...

• Servant of Christ - literally a slave.  Jesus was his master and he wanted to please the One who owned him.  He would serve Him in every area of his life (1 Cor. 10:31).

• Steward of the mysteries of God - interesting...how do you steward a mystery?  What are the mysteries?  God's grace is a mystery....people should wonder about the incredible grace of God seen in our lives and leadership.  Hope is a mystery...Peter (1 Peter 3:15) said we should live in such a way as to lead others to be puzzled and ask us why we have hope.  Christ-centered Marriage is a mystery according to Paul (Ephesians 5)...do people wonder at the love they see in our marriage?

I don't want to live imprisoned by the evaluation of others, doubts about my identity or calling or my own insecurities.  It's settled...my identity rests on who I am in Christ...a part of which is to be servant and steward.  What do you think?

The 1 main leadership characteristic

I'm frequently asked to define who is a leader or to list the key leadership attributes for leaders today.  Everyone has their lists but I've been reminded in these last 2 months that "really only 1 thing matters".  Henri Nouwen rightly said over 20 years ago:

It is not enough for the ministers of the future to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow human being, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their time.  All of that is very valuable and important, but it is not the heart of Christian leadership.  The central question is, are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word and to taste fully of God's infinite goodness?

Notice that Nouwen acknowledges that their are important characteristics of a leader (his list is quite daunting) but he simplifies the list down to the one and only vital characteristic - a leader must have a vibrant intimacy with God.  How often I focus on, give time to, value more highly so many other aspects of leadership and leave this most vital aspect underdeveloped?  Although writing over 20 years ago, Nouwen clearly summarizes the main need of leaders today.

Nouwen is reminding us of the same life instruction that Jesus gave in Luke 10:38-42 - "you worry about many things but only 1 thing is needed".  I have been focused over the last 2 months on keeping this one essential (developing greater and greater intimacy with Jesus) as my top priority.  It has been so encouraging to see the fruit that God has been bearing as I abide in Christ.  That's what Jesus promised would happen.  Pray for me that this will continue to be my on-going #1 focus.  How is this going for you?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

If you'd like to think on this a bit more, a good friend and colleague, Dr. Olan Stubbs, shared about this in here:  http://briarwood.org/?powerpress_pinw=28322-podcast