Step Up and Lead
By Scott Gordon
IS THERE A LEADER INSIDE OF YOU?
Many of us hesitate when it comes to leading other people around us. Sometimes our calendars and busyness get the best of us, while at other times we are simply going through a tough season of life. However, there is one hesitation that can easily be stopped: fear.
Fear shouldn’t cripple us because we have an open invitation to tap into the Creator of the universe for strength and wisdom. Yet, sometimes fear still holds us back from becoming leaders or growing in our walk with Christ. Perhaps we’re afraid of rejection or failure, or maybe we believe we’re not good enough or don’t have the skills to step up and lead. I had that fear for myself until a wise, Godly man convinced me I could lead others in the disciple-making process of everyday life.
After I began seriously pursuing God as a Christ-follower, a staff member at Southeast encouraged me to look for ways to lead other people in their pursuit of Christ. He convinced me that leading others was part of my own next step with God. Reluctantly, I agreed. My hesitation didn’t come from a lack of desire, but rather from a feeling that I wasn’t good enough. Leading people in their faith is reserved for clergy or people trained in the “secret arts” of ministry—or so I thought.
When I could no longer ignore my friend’s invitations, I agreed to lead a table of men at Man Challenge. Here’s what God taught me about leadership during that time.
PRAY AHEAD OF TIME, AND INVITE GOD INTO FUTURE CONVERSATIONS.
James 4:10 (NIV) says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” When I began leading a table, I was working for a large company and had many relationships with guys who were not attending church. So I decided to ask a few co-workers to join me at Man Challenge. But before I asked them, I prayed for several days, asking God to lay the names of potential invitees on my heart. “God, please send me ideas of who to invite to Man Challenge, and give me the right words when I talk to them.”
Next thing I knew, God had given me the names of some men, and I began asking them to come. Not only did half of them say yes, but another guy ended up overhearing the invitation and asking if he could join too. What a blessing! God answered my prayer, and four guys from work joined my table for the entire semester.
While driving to Man Challenge each week, I made it a habit to ask God to speak through me and help me understand any questions the guys would ask. Very vividly, I remember standing in the parking lot, talking with a guy and helping him to understand what was taught in Man Challenge that morning. After my friend drove away, I repeated my words in my head only to realize that I had no idea where they came from. It was as if someone was moving my mouth for me and guiding what I would say next. I realized the Holy Spirit had spoken through me that morning; He heard my prayers in the car and graciously answered them.
SET AN EXAMPLE OF FAITH FOR THEM TO IMITATE.
Another lesson from this experience was my realization that it wasn’t my ability, but rather my heart in being Spirit-led following prayer that allowed me to successfully lead people in disciple-making relationships. You don’t have to boss anyone around or threaten them. You don’t need to have all the answers or be a Bible scholar. Simply live your life as an example to those around you, including anybody that you feel called to lead.
One time, a new believer joined my Man Challenge table. Toward the end of the year, he stopped me as I was closing my Bible and he pointed to my old highlights on the pages. He was 15 years my senior, and he took the time to tell me that a young man with a highlighted Bible was a great encouragement to him. He knew he needed to be in God’s Word, and I had inspired him in that way. It was nothing I specifically said or did; I was simply living my life and allowing him to see in. This is what the Bible is pointing at in Hebrews 13:7 (NIV): “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their life and imitate their faith.”
BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
At first, fear had prevented me from inviting any of the guys to coffee or lunch to get more connected outside Man Challenge. I think I was afraid that I wouldn’t have the right answers or that I would somehow mess up. But once I overcame that timidity, God showed me there is pure joy to be found in listening to someone and encouraging them with Biblical truths and promises.
After one particular coffee session, the gentleman I’d been speaking with thanked me profusely for helping him that morning. I think I had uttered all of five sentences during that hour. It was my listening ear and caring heart that meant so much to him. Let me tell you, that is one of the best investments you will ever make in someone’s life.
In John 13:16 (NIV), Jesus says this to His disciples: “Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” At this point, Jesus had just taught them about servant leadership by washing their feet, even though He is their Teacher and Lord. He concludes with these words in verse 16 to show them this is the type of service to which they are called, but also to remind them that they don’t serve in their own power. Christ’s disciples are simply servant-messengers of the King, the One who has power over all things.
So, what do you say? Are you ready to take that next step as a servant-messenger? As a disciple of Jesus, will you step up to become a disciple-making leader at your campus?