How do we develop a healthy culture inside our staff and volunteer culture? We ask that question often if we lead any size team. We read books about it, we lead training to encourage it, and we find ourself frustrated when people don’t get it. This morning Andy Stanley helped us process the root question to ask when you want to learn how to play well together inside our leadership environments. That question is…HOW CAN I HELP YOU? Check out these notes from the session this morning…
You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:41-45 ESV)
Healthy and productive staff cultures are characterized by mutual submission.
The question mutual submission asks is HOW CAN I HELP?
How can I leverage my influence for you?
The struggle comes with this idea is when pastors and leaders feel like the anointing in a leadership role demands special treatment. We are all servants. Look at what Jesus said, event he came to serve others. The annointed one means you are the best servant. The new testament talks about the church being a body not a corporation with a CEO.
1. Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. // Do not allow the pressure to be “fair” stop you from helping people. Be engaged and take action. Being fair will keep you from serving anyone.
2. Systemize top down service. // Figure out how we can make service happen all year long. Place service into your calendar.
3. Create and maintain a sustainable pace. // The reason many of us don’t help others is we do not have time.
4. Celebrate and reward mutual submission. // Who helps you go further faster? Share that answer!
What is rewarded is repeated.
5. Confront your ego. // If this is all about you tell people. We know it’s not but sometimes we lead like it.
6. Drop the term loyalty from your vocabulary. // When we demand loyalty we have a loyalty problem.
The starting post for creating a culture of mutual submission is…HOW CAN I HELP?