the    sides

Yesterday morning marked a significant change for WH in terms of our approach to leadership. The Council met at 7 AM in the library with only the study of God’s word and prayer on the agenda. No decisions, no discussion of decisions, no reports, no motions – just opening up God’s Word.

It will be a regular thing for us moving forward. The only way we’ll see the reality of God having the last word on our decisions is if we are consistently listening to God’s voice. We started in Mark 10:32-52.

Here were some of the nuggets…

Jesus was ruthless with the truth with his disciples as to what was going to happen and where he was taking them. You don’t get much clearer than – I’m going to be betrayed, mocked, spit on, beat, killed and rise again.

Even with clear, concise communication it’s possible for those closest to misunderstand.

James and John’s request probably wasn’t asked out of complete selfish ambition. No one else ’stepped up’ to help lead the Kingdom. Could have been asking for those positions just to be close to Jesus. It does reveal a lack of understanding of what Jesus was saying and a lack of understanding of the kind of leadership Jesus required.

The “I Syndrome” will kill any movement – thinking of problem or potential only through the lens of “I” or our particular ’silo.’ Leadership with Jesus will always include a death of the self – the cup and the baptism. This includes they ’silos’ we bring to the table.

Jesus’ answer was redemptive – do you understand, you will drink/baptized one day. Jesus’ answer was definitive – Those positions aren’t mine to ‘give.’ Jesus’ answer was a teaching moment – it’s not top down but servant leadership.

What does servant leadership look like for me? For us? Is it putting the mission and vision above individual, certain teams?

Jesus dealt with the ‘indignant’ straightforward with high level vulnerability, calling the elephant out in the room. Easy to miss how risky this confrontation was and how hard it is to pull off in the ‘real world.’ We must do the same thing. How without blowing up the ship?

Bartimaeus was living example of what to be – blind to self, insightful to TRUTH – “Son of David, have mercy.” Simple, straightforward – I WANT TO SEE! He already had insight, vision. Couldn’t be shut up by the ‘mature.’

Tough, uncomfortable questions – Jesus didn’t all, didn’t grant every request. Did he receive sight because he asked or because he was faithful? Was it just a drive-by healing?

The hour flew by…looking forward to the next one. Mark 11:1-25.