Leadership

There's a phrase that is used frequently (I use that term lightly) in the Servant-Leadership class at Life Bridge Christian Church.

"Leadership is not about power or position. It's about walking with God and helping others get there."

There was a time, even when I was going through the class, when that phrase was not so easily at the tip of my tongue and if asked, I struggled to come up with the phrase. Leadership is what?

In the world, we are taught to ascend the corporate ladder. That in order to be worthwhile, we have to do something, be something.

Even motherhood and raising a family is not enough for a woman anymore. I was talking with a very wise Builder who told me, "There was a time that being a stay at home mom was enough. People knew it was a full-time job. Now they expect more." How true this is. When I chose to leave my old life, where I was what I call "a professional jerk," and focus on my relationship with God, my relationship with my children and working in the local church -- in that order, I often am asked the same set of questions.

"So, Missi, what do you do now."
"After you graduate, what are you going to do?"
"When the kids are in school, what will you do?"

The thing is, I am doing exactly what I believe God wants me to be doing. My first ministry is to my family. I am called first to be a Leader here, in this home. My "job" is walk with God, and to help my kids get there. My next "job" is to be Communications Coordinator at Life Bridge. Whenever I finish my education, I don't anticipate these jobs changing, only that my relationship with all three of these entities should be closer.

It's hard to grasp, because the world sends a totally different message. It says climb the ladder. Jesus says, "Come on down."

"But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28 NLT