A few years ago I was the Executive Director of a national Christian ministry. While most of my ministry colleagues welcomed me with open arms, others greeted me with suspicion, assumptions, and unfounded accusations. Their guard was immediately raised. They approached me with anything but a warm handshake and a welcoming smile. Did they feel threatened? Did they simply not like that someone else had come to town with the same or similar agenda? Were they fearful? (If so, what were they fearful of?) Whether they did or not, I felt that they viewed me as competition. While I came into the community with hopes of friendship, I was met instead with an ugliness that leads to my next definition of great leadership.
A great ministry leader does not compete with others in Christian organizations. Instead, a great ministry leader acknowledges the efforts of others in the community who are also working to accomplish the same or similar goals—even if they do things differently or come from a different philosophical foundation or background. S/he does not treat them with disdain; s/he does not gossip about them; s/he does not verbally admonish them or attempt to undermine their work. Instead, s/he is inclusive. S/he welcomes them, encourages them, and offers to help them in any way s/he is able. In fact, s/he is even kind and loving toward other agencies that offer opposing viewpoints or services.
In fact, we are even called to love those who operate non-Christian or anti-Christian organizations! It wasn’t with anger, hatred, scorn or disdain that Jesus drew people to Himself; it was through Love. We don’t have to love what they’re doing; we don’t have to love their agenda. But we are called to love them! We are called to love one another—especially those in the world, those caught in sin. A great ministry leader will consider how s/he and his/her organization can be Christ to other ministries, businesses, groups, and organizations, being instruments of peace, love, and hope instead of drawing battle lines.
If we, in the Body of Christ, cannot be loving toward one another, how in the world is the world going to see Christ in us?
Simply stated, it won’t.
Whatever your ministry position today–whether leader, follower, participant, or observer–strive to love others with the same love you have received from Christ. We don’t have to do it perfectly, but we are certainly held accountable for how hard we try — in the Spirit and Grace of Jesus Christ.
As Jesus did, go and do likewise.
In His love and grace,
Mary
Copyright Mary Comm 2014. All rights reserved.
Question: Have you ever reached out (in love) to a non-Christian or anti-Christian organization? What was your experience?