An appropriate response
Colin Baron
"Leaders make judgements coming out of their own order of values"
In my last blog on change instigators I highlighted how Peter was strongly rebuked as he tried to de-rail Jesus decision to go to Jerusalem. In this blog we see how Jesus handles the apostles arguing about who is the greatest in a very different way.
Mark 9:34-37…on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Leaders can sometimes deal with character issues in the wrong way. They make judgements coming out of their own order of values and of course firmly believing them to be correct. This can make the leaders response even more potent, and if wrong, de-powering for the individual. Some leaders could easily take those people arguing for a position, worthy of a greater rebuke than those who through noble intent, try and derail a strategic move.
Jesus was able to bring the appropriate rebuke and gentle correction to each situation. He constantly challenged the Jewish leader’s order of values all through his ministry. We must be careful that we don’t fall into their trap, inserting our own preferences and priorities and in doing so hinder the leadership development of those he has called.
Instigators of Change
Colin Baron
"instigators of change, carry very different pressures, to those who are on the receiving end of end of the change"
I have recently returned from a very enjoyable trip to South Africa, where I was asked to address a group of church leaders on the ‘Impact of change’. I spent time looking at a very important principle that those who are the instigator of change, carry very different pressures and insecurities, to those who are on the receiving end of end of the change. Many strategic changes in industry and churches, that have been taken to enhance profits and growth, have come to a ‘less than positive outcome’ due to these psychological principles not being taken into consideration.
Having already spoken on this subject to some of the senior leaders in Newfrontiers I was encouraged to see the same material, appropriately contextualized, really benefiting those who lead churches in some of the poorest villages on the planet. I am not sure I needed it, but this encouragement has given me even greater incentive to teach on the important subject of “leading excellently through change”. This includes carrying on with this series of blogs as we focus on how Jesus handled the bad reactions of his senior leaders to change.
We start by looking at where Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter’s outrageous response, was to rebuke Jesus saying, “Never, Lord!”…. “This shall never happen to you!” Matt 16:22. This reproving and potentially stalling statement made by Peter was dealt very firmly with Jesus (Get behind me Satan). Jesus had made a very clear leadership decision (setting his face) to go to Jerusalem and Peter was doing what the devil had tried to do at the start of Jesus ministry, tempting him to take an easier and wrong path.
This was going to be one of those rare occasions when a team leader has to deal strongly and specifically with one of their key leaders who opposed a strategic move. Before their good intentioned, but ill-informed statement, derails a massive strategic move.
Colin's Profile
Colin leads Christ Church Manchester (CCM), a new church on the east side of the city birthed out of a passion to see significant churches planted in each of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Colin also travels internationally for the Newfrontiers team, encouraging and equipping church planters as well as coaching leaders and developing teams in established churches.