Becoming the Kind of Leader Others Want To Follow

By Bruce McNichol

“Why is George Barna upset?” My friend’s question should not have stunned me, but it did. “Why should George Barna be upset that the Christian culture statistically mirrors the pagan culture? Christians have always reflected their culture.”

This businessman — as an astute observer — continued, “When I trek through Africa, the African-Christians carry the same colonial-bonded worldview and money issues as their non-Christian counterparts. When I journey to Russia, Christians have about the same rate of depression and corruption as Russian unbelievers. A century ago the marriages of North American Christians lasted longer, just as all marriages were enjoying longevity. So, why should it surprise us that North American data demonstrates that Christians divorce at the same rate as non-Christians; or, that at conventions youth leaders view adult films in their hotel rooms with the same regularity as their non-Christian counterparts? No one glows in the dark.”

Are you the kind of leader those on your staff want to follow? Being successful in ministry is a driving passion for all of us. But too often during our ascent, we compromise our character to reach a performance goal, forgetting that lasting, positive influence depends on the kind of person we become, not simply on the titles, power, or wealth we’ve achieved. While many pastors work hard to develop performance-based skills, relatively few are intentional about developing character. In fact, many simply do not know how.

What Would You Say To My Friend?

Nothing is so powerful as the right answer to my friend’s question. Churches have invested billions in trying to influence North American culture. In fact, they continue to do so. News flash: It isn’t working.

What is going on? Our responses to this troubling issue of why Christians tend to live like those who do not know Jesus will determine much about our Kingdom endeavors in the marketplace and in the church — whether we are healthy, growing, maturing, reaching, and leading the culture — or sadly only reflecting it. Our answer to this culture question will also tell a great deal about how pastors develop staff and lead congregations.

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