Here’s the third question in the series…
#3 - Am I Willing To Learn New Things?
One of the coolest things about the game of rugby is that as the game progressed I learned more and more about the philosophy of the game, asked a lot of questions…and by the time the game was over I had become a more effective player.
I didn’t walk on the field…ask for one explanation…get the basics and then try to figure the rest out. I was playing a game I hadn’t played before…and so I sought wisdom from those who had been playing much longer than me!
As a leader I MUST be about the business of trying my best to learn more and more about the role of leadership the Lord has called me to.
AND…I can’t assume that I have learned all that their is to know about what God has called me to do. In order to play the game more effectively…I’ve GOT to ask those who have been playing longer than me questions and SHUT UP and listen to them as they share wisdom.
One of the things I think I have always done well is try my best to place myself in environments where I can meet with people who I know I can learn from. I have always known that I am way over my head…that I am not smart enough to do this on my own…and that God has given me the opportunity to learn from others.
I had an intern ask me the other day about what blogs I read…and I told him that I am down to about 10 or so…mostly friends who I try to keep up with & see how their lives are going.
I hardly EVER read church planters blogs anymore because many of them are quickly becoming experts at making complete @$$e$ of themselves by attacking other pastors and ministries that are successful.
Let me be honest…I don’t have a lot of time to focus on what is WRONG with other churches…I am WAY TOO FOCUSED on what is wrong with the church that God has called me to lead. I do not pastor the perfect church…and when I do then maybe I can tell other churches and pastors how to be more like me…I just don’t see that happening any time soon!!
Leaders are learners…and…the best ones are willing to learn from other leaders who may not share the same theological convictions or hold to the same methodology…but in the end want to see the name of Jesus exalted!
I MUST BE in a constant state of learning if I am going to be an effective leader.
THAT IS WHY IT CRACKS ME UP when I hear other pastors accuse me of name dropping. Let me be straight up with you…I name drop like CRAZY…I will do it until the day I die because I want the church I lead to understand that I, as their leader, am trying to seek as much wisdom as I can get from those who have gone before me…and I could care less if other pastors get mad about it.
Can I be honest for just a second? I believe the only reason other pastors get jealous about “name dropping” is because…well…they don’t have any names to drop!!! They have simply surrounded themselves with other guys who think like them, look like them and believe like them for the purpose of affirming their dysfunction and criticizing success!!!
If you want to be a leader then you’ve GOT TO BREAK OUT of your normal circles and allow God to stretch you through the teaching of other leaders WHO ARE NOT LIKE YOU!
How about it…are you willing to learn new things?