What is it with all these Christian leadership books?
Last week in Phoenix, somebody gave me another one of John C. Maxwell's leadership books. It was something titled, "How to Build Up the Leaders Around You," or something like that. I appreciate the thought, but it's the fifth John C. Maxwell leadership book I've been given in the last five years.
I rank those books just above the books you find in the gift section of the Christian store--you know, the ones titled, "God's Promises for Dads," and such. While they may be of value to others, I find them very uninteresting. I'd much rather read the Bible.
Anyway, I had some time on the flight back so decided to check out the book. I came across some disturbing "leadership principles" that I believe are not applicable to the church setting. For example, Maxwell says that when we are assessing potential leaders around us, we need to be ready to get rid of under-performers--those that either can't or won't perform. He cites his experience as a senior pastor who grew a church from 2,000 members to 4,000 members. The secret, he said, was making clear to his staff what needed to change and then effecting that change.
But how does that stack up to Jesus' method? Yes, Jesus certainly had an under-performer in Judas, to say the least. But Peter also failed spectacularly and consistently came up with wrong-headed ideas. Did Jesus lay down the line and threaten Peter to shape up or ship out? No, in the end, Jesus relied on His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to change Peter. It was the Holy Spirit that enabled Peter to perform and get results (note the Bible says Peter was "filled with the Spirit" when he got up to give his Penecost address), not Peter himself.
And what of those that "perform" well in church ministry because they follow John C. Maxwell's advice? They are smart, hard-working, committed ... and they get results. But are those the results that God wants? Yes, God probably does want to grow your church, but do the spiritual ends justify the fleshly means? If we are depending solely on our flesh (natural abilities) to produce results, I believe we will be sorely disappointed on the Judgement Day. Just as God can use a whore-monger (Samson), a donkey (think Balaam), or self-seeking preachers (Philippians 1:18), God can also use gifted ministers who are only depending on their natural abilities. But woe until those "wise and learned" ministers! It would be much better for them to humble themselves and receive grace from God.
So, in the end, I think John C. Maxwell has a lot of good advice to give, but all of that advice is of no profit if we miss the point. The point is not results, but inward qualities and relationship with God--out of that relationship, we will produce the right results. Out of our connection with the Vine, we will produce fruit.
5 comments:
I've never read anything by Maxwell, and I think now I never will. The Holy Spirit can mold and change anybody, 'tis true.
Oh beautiful. Bravo! Truly!
That is an equal concern of mine, and I've pondered this for decades as I've seen churches strive toward un-Christian goals, such as greater membership. Bringing in more people certainly intrudes on the true believers, but is it healthy? Especially when we partake of Communion with them?
Also, how healthy is it to grow a church to a point that the buildings and grounds all must be beautiful, big, and cost lots of money? The same money that could be spent in helping our own poor and our own families/widows/needy?
The excuse is outreach, but the very sad reality is that it's prestige.
this is an interesting post. while i fully agree with what you're saying, there's also a part of me that can resonate with the principles maxwell is trying to elucidate. while the explanation might be wrong, he will most likely say that the goal is to maximize the effect of the gospel message while minimizing the human hangups.
ok.. i don't have time right now to fully flesh this counter-argument, but in principle, i support your view of the church being built of many oddly shaped stones. :-)
Thanks for your thoughts on this, guys.
A few years ago, our church broke from a denomination that stressed numeric goals and outward works. After I left that movement, I became accutely sensitive to situations where the the right ends are used to jusify the wrong means.
Specifically, this movement believed in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) by planting churches. With that good and godly goal in mind, they put blinkers on that prevented them from seeing the wrong and ungodly means they were using (manipulation, ungrace, and human pride) to acheive their goal.
Perhaps another post on that at another time.
I agree with most of your assesments. On the other hand, I've witnessed individuals in leadership positions where they are clearly frustrated because they are not gifted in that area, and there is no anointing from the Holy Spirit either. It takes a wise (spirit-led) leader to know when to remove people and guide them to a place more suited for them.
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