There is
quote that will get leaders thinking: “If you think you are leading and no one is following,
you are only taking a walk” – Benjamin Hooke
Wow! Most of
the time, we like to be known as a leader. But often wonder why things doesn’t
get moving, or the group is not growing, or people are not following. Worst
still, we didn’t realize that we are just taking walk (and maybe get lost).
As I was
thinking about Christian leadership, I couldn’t help but reflect on the recent
re-shuffle of the cell group that I am presently attending. The cell has grown
bigger (more than 20 members) and 2 new leaders have been appointed so that the
group can split into 2 groups. The present cell leader will be promoted to
higher office, as an Area Overseer. How the 2 new leaders were appointed was
beyond my time as I only joined the cell about more 2 years ago.
In December
2013, the cell leader asked me which of the 2 new leaders would I want to
follow. My selection was quite obvious. A Christian leader who openly tells the
group that “there is no need to pray since God knows all my needs” and “I don’t
need to have devotional time, as God is everywhere” will have difficulty
leading, perhaps only walking partners. A Christian leader must speak with
godly wisdom. Such talks will only de-motivate members to draw near to God.
Just last
month, I am told that all the cell members will go to one group, leaving one of
the new leaders without any follower. Through a series of miscommunication, I ended
up with this new leader. So, it will be only 4 of us (our wives included). The
Area Overseer will join us for the time being to add the number to 6, so that
it looks less pathetic.
I guess the other members must be wondering why I choose to go with this new leader.
Should I let them know of the miscommunication? Is there a need to explain?
God always
has a peculiar way of preparing His children to do His Will. This time He
prepared me for all this new development even before it happens. After I informed
the leader who is now known as Area Overseer, of my choice of the leader I like
to follow, my family went on a Cruise. During the 4 days of relaxation, the
word “Friendship” kept appearing on my mind. As I sense the Spirit prompting, 2
Bible verses which I have remembered trigger my thoughts:
John 15:15 – “I do not call you servants any
longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have
called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have
heard from my Father.”
Ecc 4:9, 10 – “Two are better than one, because
they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the
other. But woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.”
I remember that
during the cruise, I asked myself this question, “would I be able to be
friended with difficult people, or work with people I don’t quite get along or
even seem doesn’t quite fit to be a leader?” I knew then that I would love to
say, “No!” But the 4 days of reflecting on the work of Christ on the Cross led
me to say, “Yes, in God’s Will”
And so, it
all became clear why I kept thinking about “Friendship” during the Cruise. It
is to prepare me to take the path less trout, to follow a leader who probably fewer
people want to follow. And hopefully, I can obey Ecc 4:9, 10 – to help those
who fall.
