CHAPTER 1
WHO’S HOLDING YOUR LADDER?
Whether in management or systems, the
effectiveness of a leader depends on the person or persons who hold the ladder;
those who are in support roles.
Those who hold the ladders are as
important as the leaders themselves.
Those who faithfully support from the
bottom are often unseen. That doesn't diminish their importance or the need for
them. It does mean that even though their ministries or their positions are
every bit as important as the leader on the top, sometimes they do their work
unnoticed. Sometimes, God may be the only one who knows who’s holding the
ladder.
The ladder holder determines the height
of the ladder climber; those who hold the ladder control the ascent of the
visionaries.
LADDERS AND LEADERSHIP
Three ways in which we do ministry: the
first is to do everything ourselves. that's too much work. The second is to
hire it out. That is too much money. The third is to develop others. that is
too much time.
Because they didn't teach others to hold
the ladders for them, a few visionaries have fallen. Others have burned out
from overwork and trying to do everything themselves. Some have simply quit
trying. “It’s just too hard” they say,
“and too lonely.”
There is a vast difference between training
people and developing them. Training focuses on tasks; developing focuses on
the person. Training is uni-directional; developing is omni-directional.
God never intended for the local church
to be a one-person organisation.
If we don't develop and equip others,
we’re never going to have the kind of ladder holders we need - especially when
we want to climb to the highest rungs.
We can't treat people the way we treat
ideas or activities.
We need to help those we develop to:
Understand their purpose, grasp why their roles are important, cope with
disappointments as well as with success, ignite their passion, be inspired to
reach their fullest potential.
Having many activities isn't always
advancing.
We leaders need ladder holders the most
when we make the jump from activities to working with individuals.
We lead people but we manage things.
Too many of those who call themselves
leaders are actually good at projects. They can visualise what needs to be
done.
Dealing with projects is easier; dealing
with people is more difficult.
All projects need people - but they need
the right kind.
THE RIGHT LADDER HOLDERS
I've come to one foundational
understanding: The most important decision leaders make; is to select the right
helpers. If they don't have the right people holding the ladder, the project
will fail.
In the church we need to choose leaders
who are involved, active and already showing their commitment to Jesus Christ
by their involvement. In business, we need the same kind of dedication. When we
look at the qualities we seek, however, before anything else we need to start
with integrity.
In God's eyes, people count more than
bridges, elevators, escalators, or ladders.
The fulfillment of the vision depends on
the people who support the ladder of the visionary leader.
The higher we need to go, the more
important the ladder holders become.
Source: Who's Holding Your Ladder by Samuel R. Chand
God never intended for the local church to be a one-person organisation.
ReplyDelete