Yes. On the right. That’s me. You see, we have had over 700 children here all week for Vacation Bible School, and the way we do it is, might I say, over the top! It’s pretty impressive to see all that our children’s pastor accomplishes with her team each year. For a church our size, VBS is amazing and one of the best around. Generally only churches much larger than we are do this level of excellence and effectiveness.
Now, back to the story of how I got into a rocker wig. One of the songs that they sing with kids is a high-energy, rocker song in which I joined our student pastor in being a living prop! It was a fun moment for the kids to see a couple of their pastors being part of the action. It was fun and spontaneous for the 250 adults who volunteer as well. Here’s the point.
Great leaders (which I’m trying to become) jump in and get involved when the need presents itself. Certainly rocking out with 700 children isn’t listed anywhere on my job description, however, as a leader, I am constantly on the lookout for how I can support the other members of the team and help to impact the lives of the people we serve. That’s what leaders do. Am I a rocker? No. Am I an extrovert? No. Am I one to try to draw attention to myself? No. However, I am one who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and to touch lives in a positive way. Leaders show up and dive into whatever is needed. Rocking out isn’t part of my natural giftedness, nor is it my personality to be so out there, but the mission of what we do at the church isn’t about me…I’m merely a servant.
The leadership lessons in this example are endless. Willingness, humility (believe me, donning such an outfit is very humbling!), flexibility, team spirit, and more, however, especially the concept of working alongside the people who are also serving. You’ve heard me speak of this before. It’s very important that our teammates and team members see that we are willing to do our part, working right alongside them in our shared mission. Leaders must be engaged with their people, not just through delegation and administration, but also physically. When a leader works alongside their team, they show that they value the work being done. It shows that the leader isn’t any better than the rest and that the leader is one who can be trusted to do what they say they will do and what they tell everyone else to do. They lead by example. When a leader is personally involved in the hard work, they are more than an authority figure, they are a partner, one who is approachable and authentic. When leaders do this, their followers will step up to even higher levels of service. You can direct and manage from sitting in your office, but you don’t lead until you are working alongside your team, and then giving them all the credit…but that’s another subject.
Lead well and rock on.