Leading Others

"Admonish the idle,
encourage the fainthearted,
help the weak,
be patient with them all."
     (1 Thessalonians 5:14)


Image courtesy of www.trabucopres.com



How do I justly lead others when their needs, dispositions and motives are often so very different? If you are like me, you may have sought out assistance by reading untold numbers of books, pursued numerous conversations on the subject, tried to learn from various real-life situations over the years, etc. But in all those efforts, I have found that one of the most insightful of all sources is packaged in a simple, one-sentence recommendation from the Apostle Paul to a start-up church in Greece nearly 2000 years ago. It's the verse at the top of this post.

See, even back then, wise leaders knew about differentiated practice -- that we need to adjust our leadership to the individual and to his/her situation. And a lot of the variation in our response is based upon our assessment of people upon two dimensions: their will and their skill to do good work. For example, some folks have the skills needed. They know what to do but, perhaps because doing good work requires a great deal of diligence and dedicated effort, choose to not bring those skills consistently to bear. For those "idle" souls, correction (i.e., admonishment) is needed. Others have the skills and interest in doing good work but lack the confidence (i.e., are fainthearted). For such individuals, our main work is to build up belief in themselves so that their light can shine. Still, for another group of people, a lack of skills needed for the job make them "weak." Of course, the major work here is to help such individuals learn about and develop the key skills that will make them effective contributors to the group.

Underlying the simple wisdom of this passage is the idea that I, as leader, can discern what each person needs: admonishment, encouragement, or help. And then, when I can perceive what is truly required, that I can and will deliver what is needed, faithfully and effectively.

And perhaps that is why the closing message in Paul's counsel is to "be patient with them all." And all means you, too, as such skills will take time -- perhaps even a lifetime -- to develop. But with God's guidance and your faith in Him, you can figure this out. "It" is in you if He is in you -- guiding you and your leadership of others. Trust that and be patient with that, so that you may be patient, understanding, and effective with every sort of soul under your charge.
_________________

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the opportunity to lead Your children. Guide my steps through Your wisdom and understanding. Strengthen my resolve to do what is needed and to be at peace with the results. Into your Loving Hands, I place my trust and faith.
Amen.