Let’s face it. The reason you are in a position of leadership is because you have talent and experience. You have learned from previous battles the lessons that benefit what you are doing presently. That experience is better than any college degree. But it does not mean you can go it alone. In fact, if you are going it alone, you are not a leader, but are, instead, a Prima Donna.
This thought was impressed upon me as I heard that American Idol winner, Philip Philips was suing to alter his contract. He wants a bigger percentage cut than what he is currently getting. His management company is making a lot of money off of him, and he wants a bigger share of it. As the proud parent of a son in the music industry, I have a few thoughts.
Mr. Philips, the reason you have a brand / name is because of the management company, and all of the money they have shelled out to make you who you are. They have purchased the rights to the songs you sing (you did not write them), they have paid for all the equipment that stages your show (lights, sound, video, amplification, rental of the venue), and the salaries of the people that operate all that gear that makes you shine (stagehands, light riggers, gaffers, sound technicians both in front and behind the stage, directors to keep the logistics moving, even the crew that makes your green room comfortable so that you can be relaxed before you go on stage). The management company produced the TV show, paid for all that crew, AND the crew for all of those celebrity judges (never mind the celebrity judges pay itself). The management company hired web designers, video designers and editors, recording studios, engineers, marketing people, lawyers to protect your copyright and brand, and, yes, they took a paycheck also – they have families as well, you know. That percentage that is taken out of your pay goes for all of that and more. You have a great voice and talent. You could not make it on your own, so that is why you signed up for American Idol. So do not disrespect the paycheck that has been brought to you.
But this concept is bigger than a musician’s squabble. The same is true for any role of leadership. I want to remind Pastors that you are not go it alone either. Yes, you can do a lot, if not most of the things that are taking place in the church better. After all you are in the position you are in because of your resume’. But if you are going it alone, and not allowing people to contribute to the ministry, you are not leading, but doing. Furthermore, you are limiting the blessing of God because you are relying on skill and talent, and not God’s mighty power.
I am constantly amazed at what it takes to deliver a church service. Our church is different than the one where I grew up. It is even different than the churches I have lead as a pastor myself. It is a mega-church in Little Rock, but it could not do what it does without a team of volunteers. We will go from the street to the service. There are volunteers directing traffic and greeters at the door. The aroma of coffee fills the hallways because volunteers were there much earlier making the vats of coffee it takes to serve the 2,000 plus worshipers who attend. The hallways are lined with posters promoting future events and ministries, the TV’s are on with announcements scrolling across, and a countdown clock running in the corner (those are being controlled by about 10 people sitting in a darkened room making sure that everything is clicking like clockwork). There are people at the children check-in security area, and teachers and workers in the children’s area. Then there are people handing out worship guides that were previously printed, and of course a bucket of pens that were purchased well in advance of the service. You pass additional greeters, and there are the seats all lined up, with additional promotional material sitting on those chairs, offering buckets all stacked up, and ready to hand out. Soon about 10 or more well rehearsed musicians walk out on stage with microphones and electric instruments that are miked and controlled by people in the back of the room, the flood lights come up (again controlled in a booth in the back of the room), and pretty soon a preacher walks out on stage and begins delivering the message. You have probably encountered the work of 100 or more volunteers that have worked to make this event take place before the preacher ever walks onto that stage. And I have not touched on the home groups, the homeless ministry, the retraining ministry, the school backpack program, and all of the other ministries that this church operates, all staffed by volunteers.
God is in these activities because all of these people are using their calling, skills, talents, experience, and resources to make this happen. So pastors, before you get too braggadocio, remember, that without all of these people there would be no stage for you to stand on. All of these things, working harmoniously and flawlessly is a testament to your leadership. It is the people who are the church, and not the pastor.
Leadership is service – do not ever forget that.