Volunteers are defined as people who freely offer to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. In reality most people don’t really like the idea of doing things for free; after all they say time is money. Leaders on the other hand are principle players, the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. I don’t know about you, but leader has a better ring than volunteer. This past Sunday my church held its semi-annual membership meeting. During this meeting I heard a theme repeated by several of the ministries that gave reports. They each spoke about the need for more people to step up and lead, more specifically they said volunteer, but what I heard was we need more leaders. When I think about the statement I heard that night, “We need more volunteers” and I compare it to what the statement should have been, “We need more leaders” some interesting thoughts come to mind.
I realize that most people do not define themselves as leaders, unless someone else has already bestowed that definition upon th
em. This can come in the form of a title (executive director), credentials (MBA), or gender roles (husband). Once they identified by others under these titles/roles they begin to step into the part, learn more about the requirements, and assume the identity. The assumption is often made that because of these titles/roles the person is a leader. Nothing could be further from the truth. Name recognition or status does not make you a leader. On the other hand there are people who show leadership traits yet are not classified as leaders. It is wrongly assumed that because they do not have that tile/role they aren’t a leader. Do you see the problem here? In actuality a leader is anyone who people take notice of, has influence over others (knowingly or unknowingly), and whose actions are noticed, copied or modeled.
As I listened to the same statement made by different ministry leaders I considered the areas of leadership where members of the church had already fallen short. Out of 560 church members only 198 attended our last membership meeting. Over the last few years we have been a host site for the Global Leadership Summit and the attendance has never reflected a membership body of 560 people. When service is finish on Sunday, the same people help break down the seating week after week while others rush out into the lobby or to their cars, and another set stand around talking as the helpers maneuver around them.
What prevents people from seeing themselves as leaders? This is a question that I have asked myself as I develop my leadership skills and talents. I am currently reading Leading Ladies: Transformative Biblical Images for Women’s Leadership by Dr. Jeanne Porter King. In her book Dr. King instructs readers to close their eyes and visualize a leader. During this exercise I am sorry to say that my vision didn’t look like me. It was at that moment that I understood that even as I am walking this journey to clarity, I need to transform my subconscious mind to reflect the truth that I have uncovered. The truth is that God has a wonderful and divine plan, but first I have to get other people’s stuff out of my head. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
The Journey
Seeing myself through a new set of I’s is my first step on this journey to self discovery. I am a Leader. I Am A Leader. Our culture’s dominated by beliefs and patterns that will rob us of our greatness and lead us into conformity if we are not careful. These patterns and beliefs about who should lead shortchange us and prevent us from reaching our potential. They prevent us from knowing that we are each wonderfully designed and born with gifts useful for leading and in leading serving others. Leaders are people in service to others, therefore if you want people to volunteer (be in service to others) then groom them to lead.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 New International Version