Leader as Inspirator

I really appreciated this image of leadership because I am drawn to words, whether written or spoken, and the influential power they have to impact people’s lives. Words are the means by which ideologies and worldviews are expressed. This is significant because the way we choose to act and live, in part, springs forth from the way we interpret reality, make sense of the world and most importantly, understand the living God. As spiritual leaders we are entrusted with the very Word of God and have been called to speak with words that proclaim truth in love. As such, our words should sometimes cut, challenge and convict. However, they should equally serve to encourage and inspire the people we lead.

One of my lifelong struggles will doubtlessly be to tame my tongue and use it for God’s purposes, especially as an emerging leader in His church. I am usually the type of person who focuses on the negative rather than the positive. I often first see the flaws in a thing or person and must make a conscious effort to acknowledge the good, the hopeful, the inspiring and potential. So this lesson has been particularly relevant to me and my obvious room for growth in this area of leadership.

As leaders we should not overlook the great gift and responsibility that our words are in the kingdom. It is through them that we articulate the gospel to an unbeliever and rally a team of devoted followers to lay their whole lives down for Christ’s sake. I love how God has made us to be imitators of Him in this way – breathing life into others just as He first breathed life into Adam. I want to know more of this mystery, where the Spirit moves through a people and gives them renewed hope and passion for the mission to which they have been called. I want to develop more in this area for the sake of the kids I lead and the people I serve alongside in the Walk. It can sometimes appear like we are in it alone, with little hope of more people rising up as youth leaders. But it is in those precise moments that inspiration among the team is essential.

I like the idea of a leader as a reminder-er of his or her people, simply offering them an expanded perspective in which to interpret life and telling them essentially what they already know. They already know that Jesus is faithful and at work. They already know the unparalleled love God has for the youth in this city. He will not leave the fields empty of harvesters. Sometimes the leader, the inspirator, must call this truth out in the hearts of their people so as to strengthen faith and promote perseverance. It is also an encouragement in the sense that they actually possess what it takes to lead well, the Holy Spirit within them. Like Paul reminds the Romans, they have been equipped with everything they need. They do not need him and our own ministries do not at the end of the day require us. Our small groups of leaders have definitely gained a great deal from biblical guidance and instruction, but what will truly benefit them is the kind of inspirational encouragement that reminds them of who they are in Christ and releases them as surrendered agents of God’s kingdom. With or without us.

I have been blessed with a team that does not become easily pessimistic or de-inspired. They have a trust in God that carries them through any task and provides more than enough motivation to serve kids however they can. The lessons learned here, though, will undoubtedly apply in the future as the ministry grows and the challenges become greater. The need for routine inspiration will be even more important.

This image of leadership has shown me that I really do need to rekindle the kind of self-inspiration I once knew and enjoyed. I’m seeing more and more the connection between memory – the remembering of truths, of past experiences, of the Scriptures – and the internal sense of peace and joy that comes from this recollection that things have and will work out even in the gloomiest of circumstances. Having this fire maintained inside will enable successful triangulation in the future, where God is purposefully invited into a situation between you and another person, and where inspiration can hopefully result.

I really liked the breakdown given at the end of class for equipping, inspiring and supporting roles of leaders. I agree that we can often excel in equipping and supporting, but tend to slack or underestimate the value of periodic inspiration. The example of Churchill’s speech connects well to its significance in stirring the hearts and spirit of a people. They can be given the tools to complete a mission and the emotional support, but what frequently links the two together is the inspired mindset and reasoning that what we are doing is indeed changing the world for the better through the power of Jesus Christ.