Because our churches are spread out geographically, MCC is making good use of online ways of working together. On Monday night, I took part in a learning conversation, organised by Rev. Elder Tony Freeman, the Director of the Office for Church Life and Health. I am England, Tony is in the USA; the other participants on the call were in Scotland, Germany and the Netherlands. The topic of the conversation was ‘Leadership’. We talked about how we could develop and support leaders in our different congregations. No everyone is called to be a leader, but if we are, then what is needed to help us to grow and develop? That includes me too. It is a challenge to be an experienced leader and still find ways to grow and learn. After the call, I immediately got in touch with an organisation that offers training for leaders and hopefully I will find one of their retreats or courses to suit me in the next twelve months or so.
Leadership development is one of my passions. There were several practical suggestions in our discussions about how to develop more leaders within our congregations. I will be thinking and praying about which ones might be helpful for us at Northern Lights MCC. It is also worth thinking about what being a leader means. One of the most prominent writers on Christian leadership is John C. Maxwell. You can find many of his quotes online. I particularly like this one “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” People get nervous about the term leadership because they associate it with the misuse of power. This does happen. However, there are thousands of leaders in schools, workplaces and communities, in churches and in politics, who use their influence for the common good. Power and status are not important to these people, although they recognise the ability that these can give them to make a difference. Mother Teresa used to get politicians and other decision makers in front of the TV cameras, and then asked them to make commitments about improving life for the poor, when they were in the glare of the media. She used her fame to influence others for good, not to gain more power or wealth for herself.
I believe that the more leaders a church has, the more it will grow – in faith, in service, in maturity and in number. What is also vital is that the leaders have a common goal, support and encourage each other, learn from each other and hold each other in prayer. As John C. Maxwell puts it ‘A successful person finds the right place for him/herself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others.’ Are you called to be a leader in Northern Lights MCC?
God bless,
Cecilia
Leadership development is one of my passions. There were several practical suggestions in our discussions about how to develop more leaders within our congregations. I will be thinking and praying about which ones might be helpful for us at Northern Lights MCC. It is also worth thinking about what being a leader means. One of the most prominent writers on Christian leadership is John C. Maxwell. You can find many of his quotes online. I particularly like this one “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” People get nervous about the term leadership because they associate it with the misuse of power. This does happen. However, there are thousands of leaders in schools, workplaces and communities, in churches and in politics, who use their influence for the common good. Power and status are not important to these people, although they recognise the ability that these can give them to make a difference. Mother Teresa used to get politicians and other decision makers in front of the TV cameras, and then asked them to make commitments about improving life for the poor, when they were in the glare of the media. She used her fame to influence others for good, not to gain more power or wealth for herself.
I believe that the more leaders a church has, the more it will grow – in faith, in service, in maturity and in number. What is also vital is that the leaders have a common goal, support and encourage each other, learn from each other and hold each other in prayer. As John C. Maxwell puts it ‘A successful person finds the right place for him/herself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others.’ Are you called to be a leader in Northern Lights MCC?
God bless,
Cecilia
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