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Whoops! I think my ego is showing.

Author: Colin Buckland
Date: 27.06.2010
Category: Forming Leaders

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Graham was a local pastor from a free church somewhere in the depths of Europe. His call to leadership was clear to him; he had felt that God had put his ‘mighty hand’ on him and had gifted him to preach, teach and lead. Following his seminary training his first church posting went quite well but he had received quite a lot of criticism about his ability to listen to his congregation. In his second church, which was larger and for Graham and more in keeping with his giftedness, the problem got worse and within a short time many people were complaining that Graham was dominant and brash. Graham felt that good leadership was sure to upset people; after all, they crucified Jesus and so he pressed on without change. It ended badly and the church required Graham to leave. A very confused man was left to reflect on what went wrong and he did….the church just didn’t appreciate good leadership…….

It is really quite easy to get into a spirit of criticism and take ‘pot shots’ at different people types around the world but….in the quest for healthy leadership the aim must be high and the discussion must be honest.

When I was training for the ministry I was told this story as an attempt to prevent my ego from causing me to bathe in pride – ‘Charles Spurgeon stepped down from his pulpit and was greeted at the church doors by a well-wisher who said “that was a wonderful sermon pastor” and Spurgeon replied “yes, I know, Satan told me before I left the pulpit”…….

Ouch! I have found that leaders around the world often starve for the want and need of encouragement. However, an ever present ‘elephant in the room’, is the driving force of the need for recognition. ‘Power-distance’ is one of the most prominent dynamics at work among leaders around the world. Equating calling with position, notoriety and prominence has drug-like qualities that attract and indeed ruin many a potentially excellent leader and when it is attached to wealth or some other worth-gain source related to the differing cultures then look out! It takes a good deal of honesty to recognise for you self that your ego is showing and that you crave power, influence and authority. …..

When Sonship and Daughterhood is not enough we must ask ourselves what is wrong?

Keywords: Leadership, Ego, Power, Honesty

Conversation Post Comment

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down David_Hausmann (0)
Switzerland

After a disciple course, a BA at London Bible College, it’s on the field pastoring a small local french church that I realised that leadership was not so easy...

God has been good to me as He trained me and taught me through some of my mistakes. My Father loves leadership, He loves to release the potential of His kids! Now, when I see potential for leadership, I have compassion and come behind to bless, equip and encourage.

I am a learner and want to grow teachable on leadership. I am by God’s grace a leader and I feel He is well pleased with me. Praise God!

17.08.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Colin_Buckland (0)
United Kingdom
@ David_Hausmann:
David, keep going with this. Leading others to achieve their highest Kingdom potential is a facet of excellent leadership...Well done!

19.08.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down besoman (-2)
Nigeria

Yea, there you go again Colin. Looks like you’re talking about me but it seems its my brother. So now you’ve caught us, what do we do? Throw in the towel? No, we’ve come too far! However, I have a problem with manging some well meaning people who seem to be ahead of leaders. Someone said they are living in the next generation. What should such people do? How does one handle the eleventh commandment (The eleventh commandment is an ’invention’ of Christians in the shame cultures and it says "It shall not come from thy mouth") when things are going wrong, everybody sees it but no one seems to want to discuss it? Is it ego that raises these problems? How do we ensure that the ego remains dead if we really died with Christ?

28.06.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Colin_Buckland (0)
United Kingdom
@ besoman:
I am not sure we should kill the ego so much as heal it so that our sense of identity is found in Christ and that the need to rise up above others shifts to a desire to love others.

29.06.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down besoman (-2)
Nigeria
@ Colin_Buckland:
I thought that the ego is so sick it cannot be healed. I also think it will keep coming up until its cricified with Christ and the new man is allowed to rise in power. However, considering the need for power, authority and prominence even to be able to function in catalyst capacity, how do we balance the need for humility with the need to speak out especially when there are clear problems and most people prefer to keep mute?

30.06.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down JBennett (0)
United States
@ besoman:
@Mbah Chukwu, I’ve definitely seen both in my church: overconfidence/arrogance from some and timidity from others. Sometimes I think it’s the same problem (doubt/fear) expressing itself in different ways. The overconfidence can just be a play to overcompensate for doubt, while timidity is withdrawing from anything that is risky...

Does 1 John 3:19-24 play into this?

By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.
01.07.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down besoman (-2)
Nigeria
@ JBennett:
Thanks for your insight. Yes, that passage does help but the problem remains that the conscience is trained or conditioned by several factors that include the environment and as you alluded (if I got you right) personality trait. Thus one may act irresponsibly either way without feeling condemned.

05.07.2010