[Editor’s note: One of my beefs against my profession is that too many pastors have left the Apostolic role of Proclaiming the Gospel and slouched into the role of chaplain (one who cares for and comforts the bereaved or infirmed).  I believe being a pastor is involves caring for the folks but like my granddaddy used to say, “The job of a preacher is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable”.  The article below is a good measuring device to see if you are (or your pastor is) a pastor or a chaplain.  Don’t get me wrong, I got nuthin’ against chaplains – they are an important and valuable part of the ministry.  I just think it’s a different job and calling and we shouldn’t spend most of our time as pastors doing the work of a chaplain . . .]

7 Indications You’ve Stopped Leading

by Ron Edmondson

Being in a leadership position is no guarantee we are leading. Holding the title of leader isn’t an indication one actually leads.

Leading, by definition, is an active term. It means we are taking people somewhere. And, even the best leaders have periods—even if ever so briefly—even if intentional—when they aren’t necessarily leading anything. Obviously, those periods shouldn’t be too long or progress, or momentum eventually stalls, but leadership is an exhaustive process. It can be draining. Sometimes we need a break.

For an obvious example, I try to shut down at the end of every day and most Saturdays. I’m not leading anything—but I’m still a leader. And I periodically stop leading for a more extended period. During those times—I’m intentionally not leading anything. There are other times, such as after we’ve accomplished a major project, when I may intentionally “rest” from leading to catch my breath and rely on our current systems and structures to maintain us.

But, again, those times should be intentional and they shouldn’t be too extended. In my experience, leaders get frustrated when they aren’t leading for too long a period.

For me personally, I like to evaluate my leadership over seasons rather than days. Typically, just for simplicity of calendar, I look at things on a quarterly basis and then on an annual basis. How/what am I going to lead this next quarter—next year? How/what did I lead last quarter—last year?

If the past review or the future planning is basically void of any intentional leadership—if all I’m doing is managing current programs and systems during that time frame—if we are in maintenance mode for too long—I know it’s time to intentionally lead something. That’s good for me personally and for the teams I lead.

How do you evaluate if you are leading or simply maintaining? One way is to look for the results of leading. What happens when you do lead? And ask if those are occurring.

For example …

Here are seven indicators that you’re not leading anymore:

Nothing is being changed. Leadership is about something new. Somewhere you haven’t been. That’s change. If nothing is changing—you can do that without a leader.

No paradigms are being challenged. Many times, the best change is a change of mindset—a way we think. Leaders are constantly learning so they can challenge the thinking “inside the box.”

You’re not asking questions. A leader only knows what he or she knows. Nothing more. And many times the leader is the last to know. A great part of leadership is about discovery. And you only get answers to questions you ask.

There are competing visions. Leaders point people to a vision. A vision. Not many visions. One of the surest ways to derail progress is to have multiple visions. It divides energy and people. It confuses instead of bringing clarity. When we fail to lead, competing visions arise and confusion elevates.

No one is complaining. You can’t lead anything involving worthwhile change where everyone agrees. If no one is complaining, someone is settling for less than best.

People aren’t being stretched. There are never moments of confusion. Please understand. A leader should strive for clarity. But, when things are changing and challenging, there will always be times of confusion. That’s when good leaders get even better at communicating, listening, vision casting, etc.

People being “happy” has become a goal. Everyone likes to be liked. Might we even say “popular.” In fact, some get into leadership for the notoriety. But the end goal of leadership should be accomplishing a vision—not making sure everyone loves the leader. Progress hopefully makes most people happy, but when the goal begins with happiness, in my experience, no one is ever really made happy.

Leader, have you been sitting idle for too long? Is it time to lead something again?

Leading is hard, thankless work.  If you’re doing it right as a pastor, the folks at your church who want a chaplain will be upset with you.  Don’t give up your calling for comfort . . .

Pressing on toward the goal . . .

RevDrKid

Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Ron has over 20 years business experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner, and he’s been helping church grow vocationally for over 10 years.