Show Notes – Episode 16

The Gospel and Authority in Leadership

Different personality types tend toward either positional or relational leadership. Jesus comes with a positional authority for the purpose of relationship with man.

God has established positional authority. We shouldn’t denigrate that. —Jeff Redlin Click To Tweet

God is far more interested in the quality of my submission than He is my focus on the quality of authority. —Jeff Redlin Click To Tweet

All earthly expressions of authority are somehow flawed, but that doesn’t negate our needed submission. —Cary Schmidt Click To Tweet

We must close the gap between positional leadership and relational leadership. The title doesn’t make you a leader, but it does give you an opportunity. Though we may start with positional authority, we shouldn’t live there.

A title is nothing more than an opportunity to steward to gain trust. —Cary Schmidt Click To Tweet

Results of Purely Positional Leadership

1. There will be strong resistance to correction from a merely positional leader.

Spiritual leaders can abuse authority when they overstep into areas in which they have no real authority.

Does my leadership look like Jesus?

2. Teaching and discipline have little to no impact.

3. Postional leadership fuels rebellion.

It is challenging to help a Christian get beyond carnal leadership.

4. Wrong behavior is reinforced.

5. Ministry becomes a job rather than a joy.

This is true for both the leader and those following.

6. You can never be pleased with right action.

There is never a sense of accomplishment.

7. Perpetual frustration with ministry and with others is the result.

One of the greatest joys in ministry should be the team we get to serve with. —Cary Schmidt Click To Tweet

The team can’t please a purely positional leader because this leader will never be pleased. —Jeff Redlin Click To Tweet

Results of Purely Relational Leadership

We must not abandon the position in order to gain relationships.

1. There is an inability to correct.

2. A direction for the future is missing.

3. Frustration with being taken advantage of will grow.

If you place yourself in a position to be taken advantage of, you will be.

4. Maintaining the relationship is done by those following.

5. You’ll be liked or disliked based on freedoms provided.

Personal Questions:

Do I abdicate my position in order to gain relationships?
Do I focus primarily on my position to the neglect of building relationships?
Who is a leader that I know who is balancing these two types of leadership?

Team Questions:

1. Does our leadership team lead outwardly through a healthy position and relational style of leadership?
2. Are we leading in any way that is overly positional and creates a culture of frustration and rebellion?

Helpful Resources:

You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader, Mark Sanborn

Growing in the Gospel

Leading in the Gospel