I remember in 6th grade when I first got called into ministry. I went on a trip called Summer in the Son at Kentucky Christian University. When I look back on my first week-long trip away from home, I remember how much I didn’t want to go. I was the kid who threw a tantrum to get out of Vacation Bible School. It was a miracle in itself that I happened to be there, but that wasn’t the only miracle that happened that week.
Only about three days in, a couple friends and I were messing around in the dorms when my youth minister at the time pulled me aside and told me, “You are a natural leader. These kids in this youth group seem to follow you.” My first reaction was, “Why would they do that?” but I just nodded and went back to messing around.
Since that moment, I have known that God wanted me to go into ministry. It wasn’t the words, the concerts, or the people who convinced me to go into ministry but an urge I couldn’t quite explain; I later realized it was the Holy Spirit.
In the American culture, it seems like we have set boundaries around the leaders we look up to. Financial boundaries, attractional boundaries, or intellectual boundaries, and if you don’t meet certain requirements, then maybe you weren’t “fit” for leadership. Leadership is not for the elite. Leadership is for everyone who wants to make a positive impact in the world. Leadership is for every Christian that wants to see the world fall in love with Jesus.
“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” -Vince Lombardi
Today, the church is declining, suicide rates are climbing, and people are all wondering why. Today, more than ever, the people of God need to personal ownership of the mantle of leadership. If you are reading this, then you are no longer ignorant of the role you must fill. The role of being a generational, radical leader for the people around you. Again, we have made leadership this unrealistic, insane leader who changes the world. I want to FLIP leadership. Only a few people change the world, but you can lead someone in such a way to change their world.
Over the next four weeks, we will be going through the four essentials to what makes a leader. The goal is to simplify leadership to be practical and applicable to everyone. This is for the person who wants to capitilize on what the Lord has given them.
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
“‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
– Matthew 25:14-30
God has already given each of us so much. I’m not talking about physical things. I am saying God has given you talents, gifts, and influence to multiply. It is our responsibility, like the servants in the parable, to take what God has given us and multiply them.
You may be asking why I have named this leadership lesson FLIP Leadership. One, because it intentionally says what I am trying to do. FLIP Leadership on its head, but also because it is an acronym for the next four weeks. It stands for:
- Followers with a Common Mission
- Lifetime Learner
- Influence
- Prayer
Personallly, my calling came in 6th grade at Kentucky Christian University to be a leader. I hope you have already had your call to leadership and if not, then this is your call. Everyone is made to multiply in the kingdom of God. It is not solely for the scholar, Bible student, or missionaries. Leadership is for you and for me. It is not always easy but nothing worthwhile ever is. Let me leave you with this quote:
“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” -William Carey
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Grace and peace.
nick settles 