Over the weekend I finished reading In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Nouwen, an incredible writer, wrote this book to the new Christian ministers who are taking up the mantle as leaders in this post-modern world. As his text, Nouwen turns our focus toward the temptation of Christ in the desert. He believes that leaders today are tempted by expectations and desires contrary to God’s leadership.
Jesus was first tempted to turn stones into bread. Instead of bread, today’s leaders are tempted to be relevant. Chasing after being hip and new takes our focus away from leading others to God. The remedy for relevancy is prayer. Prayer helps us tap into what is truly important. Our egos take a backseat when prayer call shotgun.
Leaders today are not tempted to jump of the roof of their churches but they are tempted to do spectacular things to gain popularity. To avoid this trap, ministers should look to the question and answer session Jesus gave Peter:
After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”
Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know.. You’ve got to know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
In John 21, Jesus tells us the secret to popularity and that is ministry; serving the people we lead.
The final temptation for today’s leader is… leading. After this exchange, Jesus tells Peter, ‘When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” Becoming a leader for Christ means being led by Christ. Sometimes we are lead where we want to but more often than not we are lead where it is uncomfortable for us. We are not our own. Leading means being led.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is a leader or who wishes to become a leader. It was a great little read that packed a theological whallop.