I am swearing to you…I will not read another leadership book based on the leading style of Jesus. Is there anyone that will hold me to this?

Why?

For several reasons but, let’s unpack just one that confuses me.

There are at least two times where Jesus has an opportunity to lead an anxious group forward and he runs.

First, Jesus is describing the competencies of a good shepherd and he says something like “If it were me, I would leave the 99 in the desert to find the one who has lost its way.” That doesn’t sound like a great leader. I’ve never heard any of the books describe a leader who would escape the responsibility of the group for one rebellious soul. That just doesn’t sound like “getting the right people on the bus” mentality.

In another place, Jesus is talking to a group who are in their hour of need. And, again He runs. “I must leave you. I can not stay. But, don’t worry someone else is coming.” I haven’t seen a leadership model like this in the literature I’m reading.

It seems to me that a leader is to lead by presence more than being present. To build a movement based on being present will surely die. To lead a movement on presence requires one to leave.

So, maybe the question is “Can you leave knowing whatever you are leading will continue to move forward?”

Leading with presence may require an organic use of power.

Master Plan tries to deliver power to individuals through position. A person is set into a position on an organizational chart and given control, authority, jurisdiction, permission-granting rights, and influence. He or she is trained in how to use these tools to achieve the master plan.

Organic Order asks, “Who is now the steward of power?” and “Who is now leading?” Positions have no place of permanent importance. There is a revolving understanding of power.

In a framework of revolving power, there is no dominant member. Like the dynamic game, “rock, paper, scissors,” no one element stands as permanent leader. Rock is covered by a single sheet of paper. Paper is cut down to size by scissors. Scissors are crushed under the rock. This revolving understanding of power gives flow to the game and makes it competitive. (And interesting!)

Feel free to lead with presence and a revolving understanding of power. Let go of your fleeting positional power. Not even God tries to control your life with positional power

God you left the kingdom in some messy hands, please let me be as wise.