You can overcome obstacles to becoming a good leader

I believe that there are many reasons why there are few outstanding leaders. Why don’t people want to be leaders in the first place? What are the things that stand in the way of people even desiring to be bishops?

You must study to become a good leader. I have read countless books on leadership. I have studied this all-important subject.

I want to be a good leader. You must study to become a good leader. You have to study and discover all that there is to learn.

Obstacles you can overcome

•You can overcome the fear of disgrace.

There are many leaders who have ended up in disgrace after taking up the mantle of leadership. Others have experienced terrible hurts and had bitter experiences. Some have been crucified by the very people they led.

I have personally watched how leaders have been rewarded with evil after many years of service. I have seen several churches throw out their pastors after he has led them for many years.

I have seen pastors ridiculed and humiliated by members they have ministered to for years and at great expense. I have watched pastors being rejected over issues such as cars and houses. How sad!

We all know how Jesus was crucified after three and a half years of ministry. That was his ‘reward’ for being a shining light to His people!

In this piece, I urge you to take up the mantle of Christian leadership. I urge you to take up the call to leadership in the Church. It is worth it!

The challenges and accusations are very similar to secular leadership. But it is worth it! When I think of the rewards that await those who faithfully do the will of God, I become encouraged.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

• You can overcome the accusations that stop you from becoming a leader.

Leaders are often accused of being ambitious. Leaders are often accused of having bad motives. The nature of good leadership is that it charts out a course and maintains the direction. This means that you may cross over and hurt certain people.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27

Becoming a leader will cost you your valued life. A leader has very little private life left. Most people know a lot of things about the leader. A leader’s life is discussed in people’s homes and cars. Like all leaders, I am praised by some and criticised by others. This is the lot of a leader. This is why some people shun leadership.

But Jesus adjures us to take up our crosses and follow him. Remember that Christianity involves sacrifice. But it is worth becoming a leader within the Church!

•You can overcome your inferiority complex

Some people think they are not morally up to the standard of leadership. Others think that they have no leadership qualities.

Yet others feel that they have too many personal problems to become leaders. They cannot imagine being saddled with other people’s problems.

I have good news for you today! God does not work with perfect people. He works with willing people. He looks at the heart and understands your human weakness.

If Jesus had looked for perfection, none of the disciples would have qualified for leadership positions in the Church.

Take Peter for example; he betrayed the Lord Jesus three times just a few weeks before he was ordained. He swore and cursed as though he had received no training. Yet, the Lord used him.

Take the other disciples who argued over their positions in Heaven. “Who would be the greatest?” they asked. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. Luke 22:24

After arguing over who would be the greatest, the disciples all deserted Jesus Christ when He needed them the most. Would you trust such people? Would you use such people if you were Christ?

Yet the Lord did! You do not have to be perfect to become a leader. God expects the highest standards of character and morality. Yet, he works with imperfect people.
…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

If Christ had decided to stay in the comfort of Heaven, where would you be today? He rose out of the grave and you cannot even get out of bed?
We thank God for missionaries who travel away from their homes into foreign cultures just because they want to help somebody.

You can become one of the good leaders in the world today! Overcome these fears that gnaw at you and become a good leader!

The writer is the founder of the Lighthouse Group of Churches.
E-mail: theaol@ymail.com