Shannon Chapman

Determination pt.2

Ok so lets pick back up on the leadership post.  So far we have talked about that leaders must be able to set direction and they must have determination.  Let me add a few more thoughts on determination.  Many times being a leader is a very unrewarding job.  It seems that it is few and far between that people tell you how much your leadership means to them.

The reality is leaders must have determination.  They must be able to get up everyday and push through the hard decisions even if no one notices.  Leader must have an inner drive that pushes them to achieve the future.  I think anther way to say it is when a person takes on a level of leadership the must have a since of being called.  

Leaders must be determined not to give up but find it deep in there soul to move the team and or the organization forward.  

What type am I?

I found this article by Alan Nelson very interesting.  I am trying to decide what type of church leader I am.  

There are four types of church leaders...

1.  Relational leaders are the care givers and sales people of the world. They influence through their superior people skills. Relational leaders gain followers by genuinely caring for them. They are both introverts and extroverts, but they excel in making people feel good about themselves.

2.  Teaching leaders have the power of communicating information that helps people gain knowledge. Many pastors are teaching leaders, as they enjoy investing 20-25 hours weekly in sermon prep and presenting. They are wearied by other ministry aspects, but love the task of preparing to feed the flock.

3.  Managerial leaders are good organizers, tracking details, and following through on plans. They are the people who get things done, so long as there is something to be managed, maintained, or carried out. Managers make sure that the bills get paid and things get put where they belong. They are administrators and task oriented.

4.  Catalyzing leaders are the pioneers and strategists. They are willing to take risks, problem solve, and make the tough calls where they need to happen. Because they are willing to step out in faith, they are sometimes spurned by others who grow weary of the full-speed-ahead attitude of these go getters. These are the Joshua’s and Calebs needed for Promised Land ventures.
Then after he list these four different types He wrote this which I though was very interesting.  

"While we need all four types of leaders in church, congregations that have gotten stuck nearly always have too few or in many cases, no catalyzing leaders left in places of influence. Barna suggests that over 90% of pastors are not catalyzing leaders, yet most pastors feel that leading the church is their ministry. No wonder over 85% of congregations are on a plateau or are declining. Perhaps it’s time for us to swallow our pride, repent for running off the catalysts, and seek their help. Begin by figuring out who around you may have the catalyzing leader gift and then offer to buy them a cup of coffee this week.?

So, I am processing what type of leader I am most of the time.  To be honest with you I feel like at time of am all of these but I one I think i am most of the time is.......you will never know lol.