Horizon on Leadership

I was asked by Paul McGrew to write some of my thoughts on Horizon before I leave for Arizona... some general thoughts on what we do, what we could do better, etc. I have been working on some of this for a while now, and thought I would share at least this segment on leadership @ Horizon. Enjoy!

Definition of Leadership:
We have typically equated discipleship with leadership, making the two terms synonymous with each other in our community. We are basically saying that those that are leading people are leaders. Yet there are a few things to clarify:

What does it mean to lead someone?
Well, if we have defined leadership as being synonymous with discipleship, the answer is that we lead someone through discipleship. So, what does that mean?

We have often described this process as "connecting." Many times we ask another, "who are you connecting with these days?" Of course, "connection" takes place in various ways:

Sunday morning chat, possibly a first time conversation.
Grab some coffee together, or grab lunch or dinner.
Chat at Link Group, etc.
Spontaneous gatherings of community (Ashes Remain shows, Java Mama's, football, movie nights, etc.)

Connection/Discipleship is lived out in different phases, and messily - not cleanly divided between the three:

Social: In this phase of the relationship, neither person knows each other that well, but there is a desire to get to know each other more. Perhaps there are common interests, goals, relationships?
Friendship: In this phase, each person gets to know each other a little more. There is regular, or at least semi-regular, times in which each get together.
Vulnerability: In this phase, the relationship has deepened to a level of vulnerability in which both people are able to trust one another and spur each other on towards Christ-likeness.

Somewhere between the friendship phase and the vulnerability phase, connection becomes discipleship. This is an important distinction because with it comes our definition of what a leader is. In other words, if all one does is connect (i.e. social setting gathering, casual conversation, etc.) this person is not leading. Though one may be good with the initial element of what it means to lead, they are not leading unless there is a pattern of developing relationships past this phase and into discipleship. Yet, if one does develop relationships past any initial connection, one will see a leader leading.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION:
Notice how Jesus' time with his disciples took this same course from initial contact to vulnerability.

Can leadership be measured?
Leadership in our context is investment in people. This makes measuring results difficult for obvious reasons. Living the Christian life and investing in others is more of an art than a science. Yet still we are able to say, "that person is a leader." Why? Because there multiple examples of one's leadership as this is lived out within the community. In other words, leadership is demonstrated.

In what ways is leadership demonstrated?

Jesus said in Matthew 7.15-20:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

In this passage, Jesus beautifully articulates that evidence of one's character is born out in the fruit their life develops. Likewise, evidence that a leader is in one's midst comes from the fruit of that leader's life: the people they have invested in.

Pause for reflection:
Think for a moment about your investment in people. Who is now living out their faith because you have invested in them? Who is pursuing Christlikeness like never before because of your encouragement to do so? Who is being vulnerable with you, confessing their sins and seeking to move forward towards what God has called them to do or be? I realize this exercise can make you uncomfortable. This may look like I am asking you to brag on yourself, but I am not. I am asking to really own up to whether or not you are leading others to pursue their relationship with God and helping them by walking beside them in that journey. If you cannot think of anyone, this is not a moment to be discouraged, but rather a moment to consider what needs to change in your life.

Cross the Threshold of Connection to Discipleship:
A connector generally waits to speak or meet up with people in his/her Link Group until the Link Group actually gathers. A discipler, on the other hand, has been doing so between the meetings. He/she knows that Link Group happens between the meetings, not only during. In doing this, a leader at Horizon is investing in others and in time, new leaders will emerge. Multiplication is impossible without this.