Thursday 28 September 2017

Leadership means assuming responsibility.


Dianne Tidball, who is currently the Baptist Union President, visited us last week and spent some time with our 'cluster facilitators'. In the  West of England we use the 'cluster' word to describe gatherings of our Pastoral Leaders of churches, usually close geographically. Dianne was great and shared various facets of leadership, mainly from observing various people in recent months and then we considered some of the commonalities.



She also brought some copies of 'lead like Joshua', her husband Derek's latest book. The first chapter, rooted in the first six verses of the book of Joshua is entitled 'Assume Responsibility'.

Derek makes four points:

1. Responsibility means accepting the burden.
2. Responsibility means being accountable.
3. Responsibility means adopting today's agenda.
4. Responsibility means taking responsibility for yourself.

Rather than repeat any more of Derek's content, I'll encourage you to read the book.

The main point, which is speaking powerfully to me is the chapter heading: 'assume responsibility'. I spend every day with someone, at least, who has been given responsibility for leadership in one capacity, or another. My feeling is it is a minority, in actual fact, who are willingly accepting the responsibility, which comes along with their role title (either given to them, on appointment, or chosen by themselves). 

We all need to accept responsibility for the mission of God wherever God has placed us. If you want the rest of the sermon, read the book, as it'll provide me with the content for quite a few in the future.