Destructive Leadership

Transformational leaders appeal to the moral values of their followers, seek to elevate their ethical awareness, and motivate and involve them in the mission of the organization. Followers will trust, admire, give loyalty to, and respect these types of  leaders. The opposite of this visionary and ethics-based leadership is a self-serving unethical leadership that leads to the destruction of organizations and the people associated with them. Have you ever witnessed this type of destructive leadership?

In his classic article “The Dark Side of Leadership,” Conger (1990) identified a number of reasons why some visionary leaders fail and fail miserably, highlighting negative leaders who place their personal needs as paramount, chase their visions while miscalculating circumstantial realities, and use their communication skills to deny flaws in their vision and manage their image. 

In their book, The Allure of Toxic Leaders, Lipman-Blumen (2005) described destructive and toxic leaders as those who exhibit highly dysfunctional personality characteristics. But they also placed blame upon followers who seek out such leaders in the midst of challenging and often fearful circumstances. Often, both destructive leaders and those who follow them rationalize their views and mutually support one another and end up advancing a system of destructive leadership.

Recently, Padilla, Hogan, and Kaiser (2007) provided a useful description of destructive leadership theory in terms of a toxic triangle made up of threes dimensions, the “confluence of destructive leaders, susceptible followers, and conducive environments” (p. 176). 

• Destructive Leaders exhibit the characteristics of “charisma, personalized need for power, narcissism, negative life history, and an ideology of hate” (p. 182). 

• Susceptible Followers come in two groups, conformers and colluders, “conformers comply with destructive leaders out of fear, whereas colluders actively participate in a destructive leader’s agenda” (p. 183). Conformers make themselves vulnerable because of their “unmet basic needs, negative core self-evaluations, and immaturity” (p. 180). Colluders actively support destructive leaders because of the opportunity to enact their “similar ambitions, worldview, and values” (p. 180). 

• Conducive Environments for destructive leadership include four factors: “instability, perceived threat, cultural values, and absence of checks and balances and institutionalization” (p. 185).

Have you ever observed destructive leadership theory at work in an organization? What could be done to help those involved dismantle the toxic triangle of destructive leadership, susceptible followership, and conducive environmental factors? What might be the role of prayer, repentance, forgiveness, and the use of wisdom for instituting change?

Conger, J. (1990). The dark side of leadership. Organizational Dynamics, 19(2), 44-55.

Lipman-Blumen, J. (2005). The allure of toxic leaders: Why we follow destructive bosses and corrupt politicians—and how we can survive them. New York: Oxford University. 

Padilla, A., Hogan, R., & Kaiser, R. B. (2007). The toxic triangle: Destructive leaders, susceptible followers, and conducive environments. The Leadership Quarterly, 18(3), 176-194.

Organizational Citizenship Behavior

In simple terms, organizational citizenship behavior basically refers to “being civil or polite with regard to others in an organization” (Konopaske et al., 2017, p. 200). Does this describe the culture of the organizations to which you belong? Does it characterize you? Are you a good organizational citizen? Do you help others become better organizational citizens?

Good Citizenship

The Apostle Paul opened and closed his letter to the Philippian church talking about good citizenship (1:27; 3:20). He emphasized their heavenly citizenship as Christians; yet, he played off of their pride (in a positive sense) of being good citizens of their city and the Roman empire.

Philippians 1:27 ESV (modified) “Just one thing: behave as citizens [Gk., politeuesthe] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in the One Spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” 

The Philippians prided themselves on being Roman citizens. But as Christians, they were to be proud of their heavenly citizenship even moreso. The Apostle Paul was playing off of, and playing against, their Roman citizenship, just like we do in the American church, and churches around the world do, as well. As Christians, we posses dual citizenship (as Martin Luther taught); we are members of two kingdoms at the same time—Christ’s heavenly kingdom and some earthly kingdom (political entity).

Future Citizenship

We are already citizens of heaven, because of Christ’s righteousness, and will live there eventually (cf. Ephesians 2:19). For now, we are governed by Christ as a “colony of heavenly citizens” (as one biblical dictionary put it) here on earth as “aliens” (1 Peter). And He is ruling from heaven with all power all things on behalf of His Church. Our future should be strongly guiding our present lives.

Philippians 3:17, 20 ESV “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. . . . For our citizenship [Gk., politeuma] is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

We are eagerly waiting a Savior from heaven, the Lord, Jesus Christ. This is a direct reference to Caesar Augustus and his imperial titles of “Lord” and “Savior.” He was called the “Savior of the world” because of bringing order and peace throughout the civilized Roman world. But, Jesus Christ, the True Lord and Savior, will return to this earth from heaven as the True Emperor of All. He will deliver us from our suffering and fears and trials in this world—He is our hope!

Daily Life Citizenship 

Let’s return now to Konopaske’s et al. (2017) definition of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) as referring to “being civil or polite with regard to others in an organization.” After reviewing the Apostle Paul’s correspondence with the Philippian church, this seems so basic, and truly a simple reality for Christians to live out at their places of employment, in their churches, and within their mission organizations.

Podsakoff et al. (1990) described OCB as discretionary behavior by an employee that goes beyond the role requirements of one’s job. Think about your job—your secular job, your job at church, your job in the mission, and your job in whatever other organizations you belong to. Podsakoff et al. identified five key dimensions of OCB: 

1. Altruism, which refers to helping others; 
2. Conscientiousness, which refers to exceeding minimum role requirements;
3. Sportsmanship, which refers to toleration without complaining; 
4. Courtesy, which refers to prevention of problems; and 
5. Civic Virtue, which refers to taking an active part in the life of the organization.

What if we as citizens of the kingdom of God lived out, and encouraged others to live out, such recognized concepts of OCB in our workplaces, churches, and missions as part of the worthy behavior of Philippians 1:27? What difference do you think this would this make?

Konopaske, R., Ivancevich, J. M., & Matteson, M. T. (2017). Organizational behavior and management (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Moorman, R. H., & Fetter, R. (1990). Transformational leader behaviors and their effects on followers’ trust in leader, satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behaviors. Leadership Quarterly, 1(2), 107-142.

The Fig Leaf And The Towel

Everyone looks pretty much the same in the locker room.

You can’t tell who drives what kind of car, what each person does for a living or anyone’s position in society. You also don’t now who is happy, who is going through a hard time, who the intelligent ones are or who are the idiots. 

Everyone looks pretty much the same in the locker room, until they open they mouths and put on their clothes.

Community with a Towel

I remember my fitness and recreation times at the YMCA as a young pastor in Chicago. Those were good workouts. I met fascinating people. We had conversations you couldn’t make up. All types of people used the YMCA, very interesting people from the rich down to the poor. 

These regulars didn’t know much about one another. I played racquetball with many of them, lifted weights with a few others and ran the track occasionally with yet a different group. Observing their interactions with one another was enjoyable, but what made it rally interesting was facilitating their deeper interactions. 

When we sat in the sauna together, everyone looked pretty much the same as the next guy. Sweating together for thirty minutes builds an unusual community. If you have a purpose in fostering relationships this can become a place of reality, life on life. Ask people to tell their stories about the day, the crazy things they did as a boy, or what they are looking forward to. Just have fun, relax and laugh even share helpful advice. Sometimes deep pain and fears come out, so be prepared to comfort and encourage. Grab a towel and join us!

A Proverb for the Locker Room

Proverbs 22:2 ESV “The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.”

This Scripture verses reminds us of a major theme in Proverbs, and all of the Bible, of the absolute sovereignty of Yahweh the Creator, and the associated truth of our absolute accountability, whoever we are. The rich and poor alike have equal status and accountability before God. Here lies basic human equality.

You can see so for yourself; everyone looks pretty much the same as a baby, or playing sports, or getting a physical, lying in a hospital bed, and eventually lying in a casket. There are many equalization moments throughout our lives. The YMCA locker room was one of mine.

This verse might also be simply stating that God makes both rich and poor, which is true enough, but the verses that follow will focus on discussing the sinfulness of humanity.

The rich and poor “meeting” likely refers to the common bond of humanity and shared dignity, maybe also, that they will meet on the Final Day of God, or that they meet in this life in society, or locker rooms. 

The problem is that they tend to despise one another, take advantage of one another, and even distance themselves from one another. The wise follower of Yahweh cares for community and harmony among all.

The Gospel for the Naked

The guys each went their own ways after the sauna sessions two or three days a week. We all learned about one another. We appreciated one another in new ways as rich and poor alike. We all learned why we all need the Gospel, because I brought it up as relevant to our lives.

People listen when they are sitting there vulnerable.  Tell them the truth, about our common bond of humanity but also how we all are naked before God. It is in Hebrews 4:13 ESV “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” 

You might begin at the beginning with Genesis and the parallel between the fig leaf and the towel.

Genesis 3:7,10-11 ESV “Then the eyes of both [Adam and Eve] were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. . . . And he [Adam] said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He [God] said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?””

Or, you might begin with The End with the words of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:17–18 ESV “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”

Wherever you start the conversation, make sure to talk about the person and substitionary atonement of Jesus Christ the Son of God on behalf of shameful sinners. Encourage them to look “to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

The YMCA experience was so long ago that I don’t remember how well I took advantage of the situation to talk about Christ. But, I do know that I would do a lot better today with more knowledge and life experience, and being more comfortable in my own skin. 

The Lord used these meetings over the course of a couple years to create in me a compassion for everyone, to teach me how to interact with and help all sorts of people, and to train me to be always thinking seriously about how to effectively share the Gospel that is intended for all of us. 

Lampooning The Ludicrous Life Of The Lazy

Have you ever been frustrated by having to give counsel to lazy people? Lazy people give endless excuses for their irresponsible choices in life, as this poem from Proverbs illustrates.

Proverbs 26:13–16 ESV “The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.”

This is the third poem on the sluggard from Proverbs. The other two poems are just as amusing and are found in 6:6-11 and 24:30-34. In fact the book of Proverbs has even more references to this type of fool—he is the favorite fool to mock.

A Ridiculous Fear

This first line revisits 22:13, “The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”” He stays away from work, or finding a job, or life itself because of irrational fear of dangers out there.

What sarcasm—this is an absurd and extreme excuse to avoid work!  “Lions in the street,” really! What a fool! Sluggards are of full of such outrageous claims to avoid working and responsibility. Notice also that he is accusing the righteous of killing an innocent man by making him work!

Ever heard stories of lions in the streets?  Ever heard preposterous excuses for avoiding life’s responsibilities? Ever heard fantastic reasons why every idea just won’t work in their situation, how their situation is unique to mankind?

Ever heard upside down explanations why others really owe them, and their hard life is because of others? It is other people’s fault, other’s should take care of them and their lifestyle.

Don’t listen to the stories; there is no place for sympathy for a lazy person. And if you really want to help them, you won’t listen to them, even though they will keep on talking.

A Ridiculous Life

The two basics of sleeping and eating illustrate that he is enslaved to thoughts of comfort, “As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.”

The lazy man can’t get himself out of bed, or off the couch. He does as much work as a door on a hinge -- limited range and limited usefulness. He looks like one too, as turns over repeatedly to keep on resting and sleeping.

It is not that lazy people sleep all day necessarily, but that they are given to self-indulgence, ease, frivolity.  They don’t take up challenges; they live life aimlessly and like it that way.

He can’t get food into his mouth because its too painful to finish the task. In 19:24, “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.” You might have witnessed people falling asleep at the dinner table such as tired toddlers, which is often cute.

Our example here is not cute, because the sluggard is awake. He got his whole arm into the bowl of food or dipping sauce up to his elbow in fact, which is a good start. But, he can’t motivate himself to lift his hand to his mouth!  He doesn’t care!

This story is about being surrounded by God’s plentiful provisions, but not enjoying them, not caring about them, not using them as He intended for His glory and one’s good. Our society is one of plenty, and has plenty of ungrateful people, and often so many who are unmotivated.

A Ridiculous Pride

Lazy people really are like this, convinced of their own wisdom about life. They think they have life all figured out, and will often pontificate on the subject.

The poem concludes, “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” Lazy people think they are wiser than seven wise men, meaning wiser than all the rest of the world!

There is little to no hope for the lazy person. They always have something to say about their situation, a different perspective to provide, and a rationale to meet any objection to be offered.

The lazy give endless excuses and will suck you into their irresponsible lifestyle. If you listen to them, they will work on you and you too will end up with a ridiculous life. Stay away from them.

Lampooning the lazy man is an enjoyable pastime of Proverbs, but also for wisdom instruction.  Most basically, we should learn to identify and handle those who would divert us from wisdom such as the lazy person.

Spending too much time trying to help the lazy person is a foolish waste of time itself.  This is especially the case when the lazy one claims to be a Christian, but won’t do what is right in God’s eyes to honor Christ.

Actually, mocking is probably the best medicine for the fool, though there isn’t much hope for such a person. I have adopted this technique and I think I might have helped a handful of people. Proverbs actually encourages this approach back in verse 5, “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”

Encouragement Is Underrated

Leaders are lonely. Some leaders are more lonely than others. This is more true in more isolated and unreached areas of the world.

Travel to Encourage a Fellow Leader

As soon as you show up, encouragement begins. Simply start by spending time together. Talk about family, life and the struggles and joys that are attached. Take time to talk about deeper matters of the heart and share together about your walks with God in Christ.

See their places of ministry. Watch what is going well with excitement. Observe what is not going well and share in the concerns and humbly offer your ideas. Ask good questions. Stay long enough to discuss many times over each of your visions and dreams for ministry.

Gather your friend’s colleagues together for an informal leadership forum. Learn from one another. Talk leaders to leaders about what God might have next for everyone and pray.

In doing these things we experience more of what our Apostle Paul was discussing in Romans 1:9–12 ESV “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

Encouragement Changes Everything

“Is that all you did?!” People might say this to you. Or, you might fear people are thinking it, or you are thinking it yourself.

But you did more than show you care. Encouragement is severely underrated. This is because of our overly pragmatic approach to ministry, and our out-of-control desire for immediate and reportable results. In reality, planning for a profound future took place.

Encouragement changes everything because it changes perspective and builds long term relationships. The lives of leaders and the future of ministries change simply by spending time together thinking bigger and thinking about it out loud together. There is no need to worry about action, because leaders by definition will take action.

The Apostle’s letter to the Romans ends like it began with anticipation of the blessings that come from mutual encouragement. Romans 15:29 ESV “I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.”

Leadership can be a lonely calling. So, just get on a plane and get over there and see how the Lord Christ brings about the fullness of His blessing to them and to you!

God's Approval Process

Why is it that some of our plans work out and some do not?  Have you ever considered that they have to pass though God’s approval process first?

God is sovereign over the affairs of the world and the plans of all humanity.  Ultimately, only His designs are the ones that indeed move forward, even when He allows the wicked to go ahead and succeed temporarily.  Everything must have God’s approval to take place in this world; and this is re-assuring.  

Even more personal to us as His People is having our plans line up with His plans.  We don’t just want Him to let us go ahead with our plans as if we were heathen.  We want our plans to really please God and truly advance His purposes in this world.  It is our responsibility to align our motivations and plans accordingly in order for them to be established by Him and used positively for His purposes. 

The Process

We are familiar with approval processes.  Maybe we have an idea, or a plan, but it needs approval from those in authority.  Such a review will usually improve the idea or strengthen the plan.  It will also ensure that it fulfills the right purpose and accomplishes what it should.  This is common procedure in our workplaces, in our schools, in government, and even with our parents.

Sometimes it can be frustrating and slow; other times it can be helpful, re-assuring, and resourceful.  Overall, it is good to have approval from authority and a well run process, so our lives and societies can be lived in an orderly and fair manner.

Proverbs 16:1-3 talks about God’s approval process over all the plans of all people.  Certainly, the analogy will break down at some point, but the author of Proverbs would have us consider it anyway because it is helpful for us.

Proverbs 16:1–3 ESV “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”

The Details

Verse 1 makes it clear that God has, as we might say, “the last word” on any given matter.  He gives the “answer” to any particular path of action.  This might also be interpreted as Yahweh working in the actual words of people.  He let’s spoken what He wants, and He even confounds as people speak.  Further, for His own, He leads them in what to say at right time and in right way.  We can easily envision, even recall, how such things have come to pass.

Verse 2 tells us that Yahweh is constantly evaluating the motives behind the plans contained in verse 1.  Everyone, generally speaking, is self-justifying in their motivations.  Sometimes this is trickery, sometimes delusional, other times it is just naïveté.  We are complex beings with complex motives, often beyond our own self-understanding.

But, Yahweh sees the truth always, even when people do not see it about themselves or others.  He alone is able to weigh the complexities of human thoughts and drives.  This is important for us to recognize and pray through for ourselves.

Psalms 19:12–13 ESV “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.”

Psalms 139:23–24 ESV “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” 

1 Corinthians 4:3–5 ESV “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

Verse 3 provides us as believers the best course of action given the above truths in verses 1 and 2.  We should commit (literally “roll”) our plans over to Yahweh willingly at beginning when we make them, and then all way through to their completion.  In doing so, He will establish them as they should be.  As earlier taught in Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge him [meaning to know and be with Him], and he will make straight your paths.”

The Confidence

We need not worry then too much about purity of heart, because we do not have it, nor will we ever have such an experience in this life.  We all know this and know our need for His continual mercy.  We need not worry too much either about our effectiveness, our assessments of situations, or the expected outcomes from our plans.  In other words, we are not concerned with self-confidence regarding our motives or our abilities, but having a God-confidence in what we are doing.  

We are encouraged to be taught that everything must have God’s approval to take place in this world.  As Christians, our goal is not just to push our plans though God’s approval grid.  We must continually learn to “commit our work to Yahweh” for Him to establish it.  We want our plans to be pleasing to Him, and even advance His purposes for His glory. 

How To Conduct An Annual Planning Retreat

I recently returned from my annual ministry planning retreat.  It is a highlight of mine every year, to review God’s work, rejoice in His leading and power, and look forward with anticipation to yet another year of service for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Most likely your ministry organization, or your business, goes through some type of an annual strategic planning review process.  But the process I am talking about here is more personal, about God’s calling on your life and ministry, specifically.  

This is how I go about this important time of planning and praying.  Hopefully, it will be helpful to you.

Select the Location

The first priority is seclusion for 2-3 days.  You really need to be by yourself, with God, and no one else.  This also means purposefully cutting yourself off from interruptions from your phone and email. 

Find a relaxing place, relatively low-cost, and where you will have plenty of work space.  You will need to be able to think and pray aloud.  It is also possible you will need access to God’s natural creation to wander about and talk further with Him.

Establish the Theme and Topics

About two weeks beforehand, pay more attention to your life, ministry, hopes and concerns.  Take notice of where you find yourself in God’s Word each days.  Likely the theme for your annual ministry planning retreat will emerge.

Think big picture.  What do you need to pray through?  Talk to the Lord Jesus about?  Or, just spend time thinking through opportunities, challenges and options?  Maybe even research a little further?

Categorize these items into a few broad topics you need to cover.  Bring the necessary documents, goals and files you might need.  But bring only the few you really need, so as not to be over prepared.  

Follow the Schedule

Organize your work time into 2 hour blocks with plenty of rest time in between them.  The schedule needs to be both productive and enjoyable for you.  Prepare yourself to hear from God; be expectant, as He will meet with you and show you His goodness.

Begin each session with singing one hymn or listening to one praise song.  Listen closely to the words and how it might address you and your situation.  Then read those Bible verses that you selected that fits the theme of your planning retreat.  Stop and pray, worship in silence, just be open with your heavenly Father about why you are here and what you need Him to provide.

Then it is time to work.  How is the Holy Spirit directing you at this point?  Maybe you need to pray even more.  Maybe you need to do some research or write up new plans, or sketch out diagrams.  Maybe you need to develop an idea, or even a whole new vision.  Maybe it is as simple as laying out specific goals for the coming year, or filling out annual planning forms.  When the time block is up, close in prayer, take the break, and return refreshed to tackle the next topic.

Capture the Gains

In your closing session, review your progress and transfer ideas and action items to your calendar and wherever else you might need to keep them.  You want to be able to head home with the process completed, not having to do this later.

Take time to thank God for listening and answering your prayers, and giving you direction.  In the coming weeks and months, He most likely will continue to speak to you, refine your plans, and confirm His guidance to you both internally and by granting success.

One of the best rewards from following this annual pattern of strategic planning is seeing how faithful God is year after year.  He is faithful to move His own plans forward by moving you to play a significant part in them.  We learn so much about God, and enjoy Him even more, as we seek to follow His will in our lives and ministries.

Is God Messing With You? Your Life? Your Ministry?

When we let our work define us, we set ourselves up for great heartache and confusion.  This is because changes will be coming into our lives that will shake us.  Those of us in Christian ministry are some of the most vulnerable and unprepared.  

We tend to get our identity from what we do, such as preaching or teaching, leading worship, counseling, running schools, leading organizations, conducting outreaches, doing evangelism, providing humanitarian services, et cetera.  

On top of this we tend to believe that our current ministry, or ministry location, is our life-long calling or close to it--at least for a very long time.  Rarely is this the case, however.

Three Important Distinctions

It will be helpful to distinguish between our identity, our calling and our assignment.

Identity.  This is who you are as a person, who you are to God separate from what you do and when, where or how.  Even moreso, it is who you are in Christ, because of Christ.  We must rest in Him as His own.  This is permanent, unchangeable and untouchable.

Colossians 3:3–4 ESV “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Calling.  This is what you do because God designed you this way and gave you gifts and passions to match.  This calling travels with you wherever you go.  It is your occupation in His service.  This is semi-permanent, not likely to change wildly, but it will take on new developments throughout your life.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 ESV “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Assignment.  This is where you serve as placed by God.  You work in a specific location for a certain employer, playing a particular role, and probably holding some kind of title.  Likely this will be temporary as God will bring about change through a variety of circumstances, people and opportunities.  So, be ready to move and be ready to stay, simultaneously.  

Luke 9:57–58 ESV “As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.””

Keep them clear in your mind:  who you are, what you do and where you serve.  Even if you already knew this you can still get mixed-up and feel lost.  By prayer, ask God to remind you of His truth when you feel overwhelmed.  This is especially important when you feel like He is messing with you, your life and your ministry.

For A Better Present & Future

Differentiation leads to greater confidence in ministry because we have a stronger sense of our identity and a greater trust in God’s sovereign movements.  It also leads to greater success in ministry because we see that it is less about us and more about God.  

And it leads to a better future for everyone when the time comes for change because we know God rearranges things and we are ready to trust His wisdom.  He is deploying and re-redeploying His people so that His Mission moves forward most powerfully.

You Weren't Supposed To Learn That In Seminary

Every so often you will catch a pastor saying, “they didn’t teach me that in seminary.”  And church members will likewise remark, “I bet you didn’t learn that in seminary!”  Such statements, whether serious or poking fun at learning as impractical, can be foolish and dangerous.  This is because these are the complaints of anti-intellectual pragmatism.  

It is becoming increasingly popular in our society to belittle formal education and learning, especially among Christians.  It is dumb to think that we will be smarter and more successful by holding only to the lowest levels of education.  Growing in knowledge and reflection is most practical.  As one of my colleagues is known for saying, “nothing is more practical than good theory.” 

Most basically, seminaries should teach pastors how to study and teach well the Holy Scriptures, which is the basis of all Christian life and ministry, and guide them as they begin to think through matters of pastoral ministry and leadership.

But, it is ludicrous to expect to learn everything in seminary, especially the innumerable things that only can be learned by doing, and should be learned by doing.  Insight and success are gained by experience along with an understanding of how to be lifelong learners at a deeper level.

Often stated another way, “I don’t use half of what I learned,” implies that seminary wasn’t really that important for ministry preparation, either.  However, the reality is that we use everything that we have ever learned all the time, because it becomes part of who we are and forms how we think.  

Whenever I hear pastoral colleagues or even parishioners make light of seminary, I am quick to respond, “you weren’t supposed to learn that in seminary.”  This begins an enjoyable and usually profitable conversation on the value of learning, and when, where and how it best takes place.