This weekend as an organization we revisited our vision, mission, and strategic objectives. We talked about where God was calling us to and where we need to see some improvement.
Do you know what prompted the most reaction to the sermon?
It wasn’t the future, and it wasn’t the past. Rather, it was the honest reflection of how I feel on a daily basis. I started the sermon by telling people how I still felt as if I had no idea what I was doing. I also shared my fears: that someone was going to come in and remove me, that no one was going to show up to church, and that one week God wasn’t going to give me a message to preach.
I didn’t share these for sympathy; I shared them so that people would know how I honestly felt. The response to those fears was people coming up to offer support, to sympathize, and, in some cases, to shed tears.
As I reflected on this phenomenon, I was struck by one thing: Our culture craves the truth. The people in the church, and in every other organization, want someone who will stand up there and let it all out. Despite what you may think about Donald Trump’s politics, his ability to stand up there and just be himself has created a breath of fresh air in a world of polished politicians (disclaimer- I am not endorsing Donald Trump, just stating an observation). Another example is the Pope: The Holy Father stands in front of the world and just says it like it is. Neither of those men apologizes for who they are; they simply let you embrace the fullness of their personality.
Relational leadership is a call to just put yourself out there in a way that says, “This is who I am, here is my version of crazy.” When that happens, the people whom you are attempting to lead will either follow you or get off the bus. But either way they can’t fault you for not being honest.
The world of polish and refinement is leaving us for a world full of authentic confessions of our heart.
How will you let this new world shape your communication?