Our tolerance for flawed leadership is getting lower and lower (although not in all spheres). We expect our leaders to be perfect and when they are not, they pay a high price personally and the organizations they lead pay an even higher price sometimes.
I was at a conference yesterday where I heard the same refrain about leaders in the church that I have heard for years: as the pastor goes, so goes the church they lead. I don't agree - or at least, I don't agree that it has to be like that.
Simply put, we are placing too much weight on the shoulders of our leaders and pastors when we say that the future of the organization depends on them. True, they operate this way at times, and as followers, we let them. But it can be different. And perhaps it is time for it to be different.
A quick review of judges will show an ever declining level of moral, skill, faith and character in the judges selected to free Israel. God seems to use whoever is willing, and sometimes at very high personal cost to that selected leader (Samson died for his judgeship). If God uses people no matter their flaws, perhaps we could help our leaders to lead no matter their flaws.
The future strength of an organization, church, movement or industry does not need to depend on the leader. It can also depend on the followers, the environment, the culture and the tenacity of each of these groups to push through towards their goals and objectives. Organizations rise and fall because leaders, their followers and their context all play a role in that rise and fall.
So, leaders, stop taking the weight all on yourself.
Followers, start picking up some weight for the future of the organization.
And everyone, pay attention to the context around you, it plays a role too.
What do you think?
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