However, the best first step is to be clear and confident about why your church exists.
Every organization that does goodwill takes heat, you might as well take heat for the central purpose that your church exists.
These political fine lines are real and legit conversations; they are part of real life, but what role and how large a part should they play in your church?
How do you lead with grace and gumption amid difficult issues?
4 axioms to help you lead through the political fine lines:
1) Understanding over Arrogance
It’s a good idea to admit upfront that none of us have all the answers. There is usually more than one way to accomplish the mission. That’s what makes this so complicated.
You’ll discover that the larger your church gets, not even all your staff will fully agree on every issue.
The best way to lead in complex waters is to have a genuine conversation rather than combative confrontations.
Nothing is gained by drawing a hard line in the sand. The only place “a line” becomes the issue is when you get to the gospel message of Jesus. But candidly, rarely is that the battle.
Understanding isn’t a license for endless debate with those outside the church, or for progress to be lost in committee with those inside the church. Focus is required. (see point 4.)
But seeking to understand will strengthen your wisdom, discernment, and subsequent action.
2) Unity over Division
The New Testament makes the power and purpose of unity clear (See Ephesians 4 for a good start). In contrast, division is a chief tool of the enemy.
Unity does not suggest a compromise of values or biblical truth. Still, it does include a willingness to surrender our individual rights for the good of the body of Christ and how we best serve others together.
Bluntly stated, we don’t have to get our way to lead the way. But it does require unity of spirit and strategy.
Unity within the church is highly attractive and inviting to those outside the church.
3) Love over Pride
Love and pride contradict each other.
I’ve been guilty of pride over love. Under pressure and out of time (not an excuse just reality), I have lost patience or bowed up and declared my decision on a matter. Fortunately, that’s rare for me, but it’s never a good choice.
Love takes a longer and more patient route. Love values people and their perspective. As leaders, we have a responsibility to know what we believe is right, but how we go about it matters.
There are situations where you are out of time, and there is real pressure; that’s a leadership reality, but if you ever feel love losing and pride winning, it’s time to stop and regroup.
There is a better approach.
4) Focused over Scattered
In the same way that no one church can do every ministry, no one church (or leader) can or should embrace every issue.
You can’t win every battle, make every wrong right, solve every problem, or make everyone happy. But we are all responsible for doing something. And that something is focused on the message and person of Jesus.
What are you called to do?
This is the gutsy part of leadership — making decisions and taking action.
My aim in this post is to communicate that whatever your decision, understanding, unity, love, and focus (on the mission) will represent you and serve Jesus well.
This article originally appeared here.
