Failure is not an unknown aspect of the human experience. We see it all around us, all the time. In comes with being human.
We've witnessed the public downfall of leaders from almost every human endeavor -- business, politics, sports, and religion. One day they're on top of the heap, the next, the heap's on top of them.
The failure of religious or Church leaders is the one I am mostly concerned about. We know the high profile failures get all the headlines, especially those leaders who fail by falling into sin, but what about all those average guys serving the Church who don’t fall into sin, but are failing in leadership?
Of course, it’s normal to think that such failures in leadership could never happen to you. After all, you've worked hard to achieve your well-deserved position of leadership and only a few folks are grumbling about you. The bad news: the distance between a successful leader and a failing leader, [apart from sin], is narrower than you think. Consider the warning signs.
WARNING SIGN #1: A Shift in Focus
This shift can occur in several ways. Often, leaders simply lose sight of what's important. Their laser-like focus on God’s truth and God’s way, that qualified them for leadership fades, and they become distracted by the mechanics of what they think leadership should be.
Many leaders (elders) are distinguished by their ability to influence people and "think big." But when their focus shifts, they suddenly start thinking small or they don’t think at all. They micro manage, or they ignore entirely the needed structure to mange the affairs of the congregation. Some elders get caught up in details better left to others (deacons). They become consumed with trivial things and miss entirely the ways they are impacting the flock. Some leaders will make matters worse, by exhibiting a tendency towards perfectionism.
God established elders and deacons to lead His Church. (Review 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) Once a man is qualified for leadership according to scripture, God give these men wide latitude in terms of how their personality will affect and influence others. Each man can be who he is in how he leads. The good work of leadership is usually a result of who the leader is. What the leader does then flows naturally from inner vision and character. It is possible for a leader to become too action oriented and, in the process, lose touch with the more important continuous development of himself. You may be a leader, but God is still refining you... molding and shaping you to be more than you are today.
If you are an elder ask yourself this question... What is your primary focus right now? If you can't write it out in a couple of paragraphs, then it's a sure bet that your leadership is suffering from a lack of clarity. Take the time necessary to get your focus back on what's important in serving God and His flock.
Further, would you describe your thinking as expansive or contractive? Of course, you should always be eager to do whatever it takes to care for and protect the flock of God. Important point to consider... try never to take on what others can do as well or better than you. Make sure you promote an environment within the congregation where you shepherd in a way that encourages the people of God to want to step up to serve. Don’t just say the words. If men and women in your congregation are not stepping forward, eager to serve, it might not be them... it might be you. You may be stifling their desire and blunting their visions. In short, make sure that your focus is on leading rather than doing things “your way”.
WARNING SIGN #2: Poor Communication
A lack of focus among leaders and its resulting disorientation and discontinuity in the fellowship body are always a result of poor communication. Followers can't possibly understand a leader's intent when the leader isn't sure what it is they are doing or why they’re doing it. And when leaders are unclear about their own purpose, they often hide their confusion and uncertainty in ambiguous communication.
Sometimes, leaders fall into the clairvoyance trap. In other words, they begin to believe that truly committed followers automatically sense their goals and know what they want without being told. Misunderstanding are the only result from such non-communication. Such leaders then view the members of the congregation as exhibiting a lack of effort or commitment, rather than seeing their own communication negligence as the cause of the disorientation and discontinuity.
"Say what you mean, and mean what you say" is timeless advice, but it must be preceded by knowing what you mean! An underlying clarity of purpose is the starting point for all effective communication with God’s people. It's only when you're absolutely clear about what you want to convey that the hard work of communicating pays dividends, exhibited by the members of a congregation stepping forward in faith [in your leadership] to serve.
WARNING SIGN #3: Risk Aversion
Third, leaders feeling at risk from a variety of conditions and circumstances are often driven by a fear of failure rather than the desire to succeed. Past successes create ungodly pressure for leaders: "Will I be able to sustain my outstanding leadership?" "What will I do for an encore?" In fact, the longer a leader, elder or deacon, feels like they’re service can be measured by elements deemed successful, the higher his aversion to risk.
When driven by the possibility of failure, elders will most certainly be unable to take reasonable risks. Even simple things championed by skilled and experienced men within the congregation become almost insurmountable fears for the risk averse elder[challenges]. They want to do only the tried and proven; attempts at innovation -- maybe even a key to establishing their early leadership success -- diminish and eventually disappear altogether.
Elders... as yourself these questions: Which is more important to you... the attempt or the outcome? Are you still taking reasonable risks? Prudent Godly leadership never takes reckless chances with the “flock in your care” or risks the destruction of what has been achieved, but neither nothing happens if leaders are paralyzed by fear. Often risk averse leadership is two steps forward, one step back, or two or even further back. Go slow if necessary, but go. Move forward to mature the body in Christ, proclaim the gospel in your community and enable your flock to grow and serve.
WARNING SIGN #4: Ethics Slip
A leader's Godly qualifications and ensuing credibility is the result of two aspects: what he does (competency) and who he is (character). A discrepancy between these two aspects creates an integrity problem.
The highest principle of leadership is integrity. When integrity ceases to be a leader's top priority, when a compromise of ethics is rationalized away as necessary for the "greater good," when achieving results becomes more important than the means to their achievement -- that is the moment when a leader steps onto the slippery slop of failure.
Often such leaders see their followers as pawns, a mere means to an end, thus confusing manipulation with leadership. These leaders lose empathy. They cease to be people "perceivers" and become people "pleasers," using popularity to ease the guilt of lapsed integrity. Sometime the flock may be totally unaware of an “integrity” issue, but the comportment of a leader changes... no one knows why but the behavioral changes are damaging to the flock’s trust, confidence and security in the leadership.
If you’re an elder or deacon, it is imperative to your leadership that you constantly subject your life and work to the highest scrutiny. Are there areas of conflict between what you believe and how you behave? Has compromise crept into your operational perspective? One way to find out is to ask the people you are in fellowship with, if they ever feel taken for granted... ignored... marginalized. No one said leading God’s flock would be easy.
WARNING SIGN #5: Poor Self Management
Tragically, if a leader doesn't take care of himself, no one else will. You know what the Bible says you must do to protect yourself spiritually. Do all those things faithfully, so you are a shinning example to the flock in your care. Unless a leader is blessed to be surrounded by more-sensitive-than-normal followers, [probably not the case] nobody will pick up on the signs of fatigue and stress. Leaders are often perceived to be superhuman, running on unlimited energy. When you’re tired and burned-out as the saying implies, plagued by “people fatigue” your behavior changes for the worse and your actions or inaction, will disorient, confuse and alienate the sheep you are shepherding.
While leadership is invigorating, it is absolutely tiring. Leaders who fail to take care of their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs are headed for disaster. Funny thing is... this this form of disaster feels like normal to most leaders. You don’t even know you’re there! Think of having a gauge for each of these four areas of your life -- and check them often! When a gauge reaches the "empty" point, you must make time for refreshment and replenishment. Clear your schedule and take care of yourself -- it's absolutely vital to your leadership that you continue to grow and develop, a task that can be accomplished only when your tanks are full.
WARNING SIGN #6: Lost Love
The last warning sign of impending disaster that leaders need to heed is a move away from their first love and dream... God, His Church... the Promises to come.
Paradoxically, the hard work of leadership should be fulfilling and even fun. But when leaders lose sight of the dream that compelled them to accept the responsibility of eldership, they can find themselves working for people and causes that may mean little to them. They must stick to what they love, what motivated them at the first, to maintain the fulfillment of leadership. God empowers and sustains you... the flock will inevitably frustrate you. Gotta love God’s people or you are destined to fail.
To make sure that you stay on the track of following your first love, frequently ask yourself these three questions: Why did I initially desire leadership? Have those reasons changed? Do I still want to lead? You must answer 100% on those three questions... if you can’t, step away from leadership and serve with the body.
Heed the Signs
The warning signs in life -- from stop lights to prescription labels -- are there for our good. They protect us from disaster, and we would be foolish to ignore them.
As you consider these warning signs of leadership failure, don't be afraid to take an honest look at yourself. You need to have the courage to do so, because God certainly is! If any of the warnings ring true for you, take action immediately.
The good news is... by paying attention to these signs and heeding their warnings, you can avoid disaster and sustain the kind of leadership of God’s people that is healthy and fulfilling both for you and the “flock in your care.”
