A few days ago I wrote about some reflections I've had on Steve Farber's book, "The Radical Leap." Today I wanted to wrap up my reflections on Farber's book by describing what "extreme leadership" looks like.
L - Extreme Leaders LOVE.
Love is the ultimate motivation of the extreme leader: love of God; love of people; love of a mission or a cause; love of a principle; love of the future they’re helping to create; love of the ministry that God wants to accomplish…
Without the calling and commitment of your heart – without love – there is no good reason to take a risk – to experience the “OG!M.”
I love the way Paul describes this in 2 Corinthians 5:14 (MSG): "Christ’s love has moved me to…extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do."
Personally, I believe there are at least "three great loves" of every extreme leader:
* Extreme leaders have a passionate love for GOD (Matthew 22:37).
* Extreme leaders have a compassionate love for PEOPLE (John 13:34-35).
* Extreme leaders have an inspiring love for the MISSION (Acts 20:22-24).
E – EXTREME LEADERS GENERATE ENERGY.
A spiritual leader is a generator, a powerful force for action and progress. He / she is an enthusiastic believer in people and in their capacity to do the awesome… Extreme leaders partner with God in establishing momentum and creating a sense of energy, passion and urgency…
A few years ago I read an incredible statement from A.W. Tozer about enthusiasm and energy. Tozer wrote:
"God dwells in a state of perpetual enthusiasm. He is delighted with all that is good and lovingly concerned about all that is wrong. He pursues His labors always in a fullness of holy zeal. No wonder the Spirit came at Pentecost as a sound of a rushing mighty wind and sat in tongues of fire on every forehead… Whatever else happened at Pentecost, one thing that cannot be missed by the most casual observer was the sudden upsurging of moral enthusiasm. Those first disciples burned with a steady, inward fire. They were enthusiastic to the point of complete abandon." ~ A.W. Tozer – Of God and Men
Wow! I think he's right! Believers in the first century church were passionate, energetic and enthusiastic. Their passion translated into action. Hey, the book that tells their story is called "ACTS."
One of the things that concerns me about what I see in many churches today is the lack of passion among many of the leaders and the people. I see so many believers running around who aren't passionate about anything. They aren't passionate about God, the Church, their family, the mission, ANYTHING! Maybe this is one of the reasons we're blowing it when it comes to effectiveness and impact.
Paul described the way we ought to live life in Colossians 3:23 (NIV), "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…"
A - EXTREME LEADERS INSPIRE COURAGEOUS AUDACITY.
Audacity is a bold and blatant disregard for the normal constraints. Whenever audacious people hear someone make the remark: “We’ve never done it that way before!” They think, “Great! There’s a first time for everything! Let’s go!”
Extreme leaders believe God to do the impossible and the audacious.
Farber says it like this: "If I love who we are, and if I love what we can be, then I’ll love the process of how we get there. And in order to make it all happen, I will act boldly and courageously and I will, at times, fail magnificently. But my love demands that I try. Demands it."
Several years ago I was challenged by the words of Jim Elliott in regards to living audaciously.
Am I Dangerous?
"Utterly ordinary, so commonplace; while we profess to know a power the twentieth century cannot reckon with. We are all sideliners, coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. We are spiritual pacifists, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death, with principalities and powers in the heavenly places. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous." ~ Jim Elliot, Extreme Missionary
It's my prayer that God raise up a generation of leaders who are dangerous and audacious. Yes, we may fail, but at least we'll fail while attempting to do GREAT THINGS for the kingdom of God!
P - EXTREME LEADERS PROVIDE PROOF!
Leaders prove the alignment between their words and actions. They prove it by standing up for what is right. They prove it through measurable, tangible signs of progress. They prove it through their experience. They prove it through success. They prove it through glorious failures. They prove it by partnering with God to accomplish the impossible.
What does extreme leadership look like?
L - Love
E - Energy and Enthusiasm
A - Audcacity
P - Proof
Why not take the leap today and make a decision to be extreme. God desires it. The church needs it!
Let's get EXTREME!
3 comments:
Pastor Chris, you said, "Let's get EXTREME!" I'm ready!
I have been greatly encouraged in recent weeks by the various conversations being held in different parts of the "blogosphere." As well as the leadership being offered to it by blogs like this one!
I have encountered an "energy" that seems to be building as individuals are displaying the "audacity" to boldly speak to the mission of Jesus Christ, and the mobilization of His people. The resolve of these individuals quite obviously grows out of their "love" for our Lord, and that to me is "proof" of its authenticity. Thanks so much for doing your part!
mJonathan, thanks for the comment...
A few days ago someone introduced me to your blog... Thanks for sharing some profound and provocative thoughts about church, leadership, mission, etc.
Who knows? Maybe a revolution will begin on the web, among those who care enough to think, write, pray and work...
Keep up the great work...
Chris
Thanks Chris. I agree, who knows? But why not try? Like you said, Lord make me more like William Wallace and less like Pee Wee Herman! Ha! That's great. Thanks again. I'll be reading (and writing and praying too)! Blessings.
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