The Responsibility of Leadership

In my three decades of ministry, I’ve observed a significant transformation and shift in leadership. What was once a stronghold of “my way or the highway” has evolved into recognizing that leadership is fundamentally about responsibility. As leaders, this responsibility is centered on the understanding that our primary calling is to serve.

Nonetheless, we cannot fulfill the role of service or fully embrace the responsibilities that leadership demands unless we are honest with ourselves.

Continuous growth and personal development are vitally important regardless of your position or status.

I am convinced that certain aspects of leadership will remain elusive unless one is committed to ongoing personal and professional development. The growth journey is a gradual process, often challenging and rarely comfortable. There are some things we may never know unless we have not just a willingness but a passion to grow.

The apostle Paul raised a pertinent concern in II Corinthians 10 that, in my view, is frequently neglected: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:3–5). Candidly speaking, at this moment we may find ourselves trapped in the monotony of ministry, ensnared in routine, and easily losing sight of the fact that every one of us, as a leader, is engaged in an epic struggle for survival.

The very core of leadership is rooted in struggle and resistance. Genuine Apostolic leadership necessitates this resistance, as it is through overcoming challenges that we gain the strength required to transcend the current pressures and circumstances that threaten our identity and purpose as leaders. The rigors of resistance training furnish us with the resilience essential for effective leadership.

In the realm of leadership, we are compelled to enter the arena, grapple with the flaws in our nature, expose ourselves to risks, uphold lofty ideals that may be invisible to others, and reject the simple paths of cynicism, disillusionment, and blaming others.

Steadfastness in the face of unceasing opposition is crucial as we lead and press forward with faith in the divine purpose that God has designed for each of us. Resilience is the vital force behind impactful and influential ministry. Without this, we will never become the person God envisions. While discussions about resistance often involve tangible challenges, the predominant battle is spiritual, and the conspicuous battleground is frequently within our minds—between our ears. We must win the battle of the mind!

At nineteen, I penned a remarkably simple yet profound statement that I’ve consistently strived to live by and regularly remind myself of:

YOU WILL NEVER MAKE AN IMPACT IF YOU ARE NOT COMMITTED TO THE COLLISION.

It’s reasonable to assert that everyone reading this shares a desire to create a meaningful impact with their lives. That aspiration brought you here and led you to engage in leadership at your current level. However, the challenge lies in the demands of that impact—you must confront your identity. To genuinely make a difference or leave an impact, you must engage with your thought processes about life, yourself, ministry, people, your mother-in-law, and so forth. This is the collision I speak of.

Let’s face the truth: WE CAN ONLY FIX WHAT WE ARE WILLING TO FACE! I can only conquer what I am prepared to confront.

As leaders, we often find ourselves engrossed in the demands of leadership, neglecting the internal struggle essential for making a meaningful impact. We must engage with the forces attempting to dominate our inner realm, confront them, and stand up to lead effectively.

To navigate past hindrances that impede our progress, we must confront negative thoughts directly and deal with them. Ignoring detrimental thinking is not the solution.

To grasp this concept today, it’s crucial to remember SO MUCH OF HOW WE THINK DETERMINES HOW WE LIVE.

Our calling is to serve as ambassadors for Jesus Christ and to impact the lives of those we are called to lead, yet we cannot lead effectively if we’ve permitted thoughts unworthy of residence to settle in our minds.

May this year be a year of fighting against the forces that try to infiltrate your mind and hinder your progress. Remember that He that is within you is greater than he that it is in the world, and no weapon formed against you shall prosper! You are called to make a difference, and it starts by renewing our minds (Romans 12:1–2) and taking on the character of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

I cannot wait to see what 2024 brings for you, your churches, your ministry, and your families.