Five Levels of Leadership

Mighty Warriors of God,

As we begin our preparations for the 2011 Mardi Gras Mission. We will be sending out a special message EACH Friday to help all of us get ready for the harvest. They asked a little girl what a “saint” was. She responded that it was those people on stained glass windows that you can see through. That is the best definition I have ever heard. The song I sang when I read this was “Let Others see Jesus in you... Keep telling the story, be faithful and true, and let others see Jesus in you.”

Love ya’s and look forward to working with you at the Mardi Gras, March 4-8.
Fred

The No Greater Love Mardi Gras outreach for 2011 is rapidly approaching. This is the first in a series of emails aimed at helping you to prepare well so that this may be our best year to date. The deadline for taking advantage of the discounted registration is February 21. You may register on-line at: http://www.nogreaterlove.org/application.html

This week’s emphasis is on Leadership.

Five Levels of Leadership

Leadership is often overstated and is mostly underdeveloped. Many times what is valued as leadership on a ministry team is actually the lowest form of leading and perpetuates an immature leadership model. Let’s consider a simple model of escalating leadership values and some sports applications of them from John Maxwell’s book, “Developing the Leader Within You.”

Level 1 – Leading by Position. This lowest level of leadership is often expressed by a group leader, squad leader or ministry director who constantly pulls rank. He bosses people around with phrases like, “I’m the leader, that’s why. Just do it, I’m the camp director.” Sadly, many group leaders lead at this same level and group members follow them simply because they have to. This level of leadership breaks down quickly as frustrations mount and inconsistencies are revealed.

Level 2 – Leading by Permission. These leaders have a tremendous advantage on the former group as people follow them because they want to. Their followers are more highly motivated to go with the leader because of the relationships that are being developed. Ministry teams which have a strong sense of camaraderie, which have a “sense of family,” are often blessed with a number of Level 2 leaders. The weakness in this level is that not everyone will like a particular leader. This can lead to a squad or camp which sorts itself in to several cliques and team unity ultimately breaks down.

Level 3 – Leading by Production. The productive leader is not dependent upon simple matters of style and personality to lead, rather his leadership emerges from his contributions to the group’s collective goals. People say things like this about these leaders. “He gets things done for us. He makes things happen. I’m glad that guy’s on our team.” This leader’s productivity has others following him because he furthers the group’s achievement. The problem arises for this leader when her productivity falls off. When the leader is tired or distracted, he is no longer productive and his leadership is diminished. When the leader’s effectiveness as a witness or street preacher drops, his leadership is compromised.

Level 4 - Leading by Developing People. This lofty level of leadership is very costly to acquire, but makes for a long lasting impact. These leaders are often characterized by comments like, “That guy makes us all better. We are a better group when he’s on the street with us. The ministry team became exponentially better when he showed up.” These leaders catalyze their teammates by energizing each one’s particular gifts and abilities toward the group’s goals. More than individual performance or production, these leaders seem to enable the others to be at their best. The best sports coaches, NGL squad leaders and camp directors I have met lead at this level. Those leaders are also looking for this kind of leadership in their group leaders, assistant leaders, worship leaders, camp chaplains, administrators and other key leadership positions in their ministry teams.

Level 5 – Leading by Personhood. This is the top rung of the ladder and few leaders ever arrive at this strata. These leaders lead by reputation. Their years of consistent production and development of others have created a platform from which they now lead. These are the people who when they enter a crowded, noisy room everyone stops, looks and listens. The others don’t want to miss a word which he might say. Fred Bishop, Charley Houston, Dave Munson, Ron Schernikau, Ken Gearhart, Dave Maragni, David Cain, Bernie Kneale, Kent Lewis, Harold Braswell, Cliff Cain, Jim Murphy, Murphrey Carlock, Laverne Kramer and others of this sort are leading this way today, some even from beyond the grave.

At what level are you leading today? How would you rank your leadership during last year’s Mardi Gras? To what level do you aspire to lead during Mardi Gras 2011? Each of these is available to us, but the costs rise along with the elevating levels of leadership. My challenge to you is to continue the development process and to pay the price to become the most effective leader you can be.

God bless,
Roger Lipe
Southern Illinois FCA
http://sportchaplainsportmentor.blogspot.com/

MARDI GRAS 2011
WITH
NO GREATER LOVE MINISTRIES

Who can Attend? Men and young men ages, 17 and older.

When: March 4th-8th, 2011

Where: Arrive between 12:00-3:00PM
Friday, March 4th
Heritage United Methodist Church
3 Barracuda Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39482

Registration Donation:
$175.00 if received by February 21st, 2011
$225.00 if received after February 21st, 2011

Questions?
Contact N. G. L. at 618-542-4503
Fred Bishop (nglfred@nogreaterlove.org)
Abby Emling (nglabby@yahoo.com)
http://www.nogreaterlove.org

The earlier you register the better.
For your convenience you may register on line at http://www.nogreaterlove.org