Unwilling Leaders

If you hear the term "unwilling leader," what do you think or imagine? I think first of those people who are thrust into a position of leadership without seeking it. I remember my days in veterinary science class in high school. Nearly everyone in the class looked to me for leadership during the lab dissections. I was considered smart, and I was able to make some educated guesses as to what our teacher was hoping we accomplished. I was shy and didn't want that kind of responsibility, but somehow people determined that I deserved it. I also think of the anointed Saul, hiding from his coronation before Israel. God chose Saul, but the man was still unsure of himself as a leader. He was called and needed to take that step of faith to claim the calling and live by faith in it.

There's a second way to think of unwilling leaders, and this also applies to Saul, though later in his life. Not everyone in a position of leadership is leading properly. The position doesn't make the man. King Saul became so involved in being king and taking advantage of the benefits of the duty that he lost sight of the type of leader that God desired. Unwilling leaders can be people in leadership roles who are unwilling to do just that - lead.

This problem is pervasive in so many parts of society because people enjoy the benefits of a position of power and authority but often do not want to be held responsible for the failures and losses that also come. We see ineffective managers all the time who yell at their employees for not fulfilling the managers' obligations to the company. They pass the blame to their workers even if it's not directly the workers' fault. We see public figures who are role models, being arrested for drugs or suspected of steroid abuse, who spend frivolously because they can, who have numerous marriages, who expect their every whim to be fulfilled because of the money and power that they wield. We see church pastors who don't actually lead their congregations in righteousness any longer. They have the position but are unwilling to lead. They are unwilling to risk what they have and stand firm. They waver with popular opinion. They bend to the wishes of the wealthy, lest they be cut off. They look for security from their own contrivances rather than from the Lord.

I was in Romania with an evangelical church group a few years ago, and this story has stuck with me. The denomination was relatively new in Romania, officially working as an outreach/aid organization. This evangelical church was attended mostly by young people. The denomination's missionary in the country considered it her duty to grow the church. The problem was that few men were taking leadership roles within the church. There was also a core group of members in the primary church of this denomination in Romania. Then they went to college and moved on with their lives afterward. That church has been dying. That missionary wanted the young men to stay in that town to be leaders of the church. She saw in them what she wanted to see and tried to make it work. It was her plan, not the Lord's plan.

There are churches throughout the world facing the problems of leadership. Not everyone is made to be a leader in the same way, but certainly there are times when we must act as leaders. We must each stand firm in the faith, to proclaim the good news throughout the world, to be obedient to our Lord and Savior. If others falter, that is still our calling. If that makes us leaders, then so be it. I saw four pastors at a medium size church this Christmas Eve; all of them were part of the worship service. But I saw none of them truly lead. I heard no preaching. No expounding the truth of the gospels about the need for Christ. Nothing of His salvation or resurrection. If nonbelievers happened to be at that service, that was a lost opportunity to share the Good News, the whole reason for celebrating Christmas - looking forward to the coming of Christ our King, whose life, death and resurrection have given us life and joy and peace. Much of the service I yearned to stand up and preach - not that I had any idea what I might say - but to share Christ, not some skits and a shortened version of our traditional Advent hymns that neatly fit into sixty minutes. Leaders, lead your people!

By being careful not to offend those who neither believe nor understand, those who do have not been fed and those who do not still cannot comprehend their lack. Our pearls have been cast before swine. Should we expect anything else than for them to turn next and maul us? Leaders, be bold and encouraged. Take heart, for the Messiah, God incarnate, is our Lord. In Him is our hope, our faith, and life everlasting.