Insights on the Journey

I just finished my October column for The Inside Track and thought I’d give my blog followers a brief excerpt. One branch of our TeamCVC Equipping Network agreed to hold their meeting here at our headquarters last week, and it was great to be able to meet with them and hear what was going on in their ministries. There was a lot of encouragement as we learned that the things we are focusing on are the things they most need. One area of frustration in their ministries that we might not have focused as much on yet is the challenge of building a culture of equipping when the senior pastor isn’t totally committed.

Leading upward can be challenging, but it can be done. Here are some tips I’ve collected from those who have done it.

Keep a positive, supportive attitude. Let’s be honest here… we have probably all had people around us who we reached the point that we just didn’t look forward to seeing them come toward us because we knew it was going to be an unpleasant interaction. How likely are you to pay close attention to the advice you get from such people? If your leader doesn’t see you as someone who believes in and supports him or her, what attitude will he or she have toward you as you’re walking up?

Be excellent at what your leader wants you to do. If you’re not doing well at your current tasks, why would someone feel inclined to trust you with more? Sure it’s possible you’re in the wrong role, but that’s a different problem. Are you doing the best you possibly can at what you’re being asked? Jesus congratulated those who had done well with a few things and entrusted them with more. Your leader is more likely to listen to your great idea if you have already proven your worth and built credibility by being excellent at what he or she has already asked of you.

There are several more, but I have to save some things for our CVC members!

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