Leadership
for Saints,
Part 4: With Love and Faith Come Commitment
by
Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar
Perhaps the
best-known statement on effective leadership in the Church came
from the Prophet Joseph himself: "I teach them correct principles
and they govern themselves."
Contained here are at least three basic elements: 1. There are correct
principles. 2. The leader is teacher and servant. 3. People are
capable of self-government.
Faith in and love for the Lord Jesus Christ are the first and most
important guiding principles. They are necessary ingredients in
all practices and all programs pertaining to our stewardship.
With faith and
love come commitment. The Savior Himself is our model. Everything
He has ever said and everything He has ever done modeled perfect
leadership principles. His gospel is the foundation of every good
thought we should have, every good motive we should act upon and
every good deed we should offer in the service to others.
Essential to our success is that we operate under the direction
of the living prophets, with personal guidance from the Holy Ghost.
Note this from
D&C 12:
Therefore, if
you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall
be opened unto you.
Now, as
you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments,
and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion.
Behold,
I speak unto you, and also to all those who have desire to bring
forth and establish this work.
And no one
can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of
love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all
things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.
Behold,
I am the light and the life of the world, that speak these words,
therefore give heed with your might, and then you are called.
Amen. (D&C 12:5-9)
Principles and Practices
To be trained in
correct principles allows infinitely more freedom than to be taught
only practices. For each true principle there are an infinite number
of correct practices. As the Prophet Joseph observed, "A man
is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get
knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in
the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently
more power than many men who are on earth. Hence it needs revelation
to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God." [1]
We must constantly bear in mind that the leader is teacher and servant.
As always, the Savior is the perfect model:
Ye call me
Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am.
If I then,
[your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to
wash one another's feet.
For I have
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily,
I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; either
he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know
these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:13-17)
Self-government is an on-going process. The Lord is actively engaged
in helping each person do his or her best. "For behold, this
is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal
life of man." (Moses 1:39)
Individual growth depends on the demands the individual makes on himself,
from accepting responsibility (stewardship), fulfilling that responsibility
and being accountable for his commitments.
As a leader
in the Lord's Church, can you, will you-
- See yourself
as a teacher to your people?
- Change from
seeing your people as your helpers in getting your assignment
done, to seeing yourself as a servant to help them in their stewardships?
- Resist managing
by fear and threats (implicit or explicit)?
- Give people
a job, with a specific time to return and report, and then allow
them the freedom to succeed?
- Wait for
the Holy Ghost before reproving?
- Correct with
clarity and charity, not anger?
- Love those
you serve, especially after correcting?
- Include persuasion,
long suffering, gentleness, meekness and love unfeigned, kindness
and pure knowledge with your management skills?
All of this
requires that leaders serve with "the heart and a willing mind"
(see D&C 64:34) and that we listen constantly for the promptings
of the Spirit.
But does that preclude an understanding of and the ability to benefit
from specific leadership skills?
Of course not.
In fact, for generations of saints the general authorities of the
Church have emphasized the need for more skilled leadership in the
kingdom.
It is true that
success in Church leadership is measured in terms of souls saved
and strengthened, not in profit and loss. The Lord's work must be
done by faith, prayer and by the Spirit.
But just as
the Savior reminded Oliver Cowdery (D&C 9:7-9), we are expected
to do our part, too.
Our part is
the focus of this book. It is designed to help Latter-day Saint
leaders in stakes, wards, branches and families increase the effectiveness
of their service.
The authors
do not profess to cover everything there is to know about effective
service in the Church. But this book does attempt to view such leadership
through a wide-angle lens. Treatment is given to the importance
of personal worthiness and self-mastery. Being a model, not a critic.
Relying on influence rather than on authority. Listening with empathy.
Ministering versus administering. Becoming a partner with those
you serve. Nurturing through focused teaching and interviewing.
Managing meetings in ways that excite and motivate the participants.
Delegating tasks-and accepting tasks-in ways that build people and
inspire performance.
In short, bringing others, and ourselves, to Christ.
In all these things, continuous improvement should be our goal.
After all, does the Lord-the leader of us all-deserve any less?
Does he desire any less for us?
Applying
the Principles
- Make a list
of about a half dozen of your roles in life. The list should include
your obvious leadership roles like Church callings as well as
roles you may not always associate with leadership, such as parent,
friend, neighbor, community volunteer.
- Under each
role, write the word "Linkage." Then jot down two or
three things in that role that you do (or should do) to invite
others to Christ. These may not be obvious and overt "missionary
activities." For example, under the role of "Young Men
counselor" you might write something like "Stay positive
and upbeat in working with the Aaronic Priesthood." Under
"community volunteer" you might write something like
"Avoid criticizing, always look for the good and how to make
it even better."
- Make three
specific commitments to yourself regarding your own leadership
development. Take responsibility. Follow through.
You Can Do
It!
You realize that everyone is a leader-at home, school, work and
in the Church. You are a leader by example, within your role, or
by an assignment or calling. Sometimes you can feel overwhelmed.
There is no need to fear, for the Lord will not only provide a way,
but will also give you the strength to do the work. You should be
of good cheer. You are His child, doing His work. You are empowered
by your God. He will bless you and you shall have glory and joy
in the work. You are filled with the Spirit that will show you what
to do and how to do it. Just do your best, and your best will constantly
improve. Enjoy the journey. The role of a leader can be a blessing
to you and those you serve.
You can do it!
. . . in the strength of the Lord.
[1]
Joseph Fielding
Smith, compiler, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976], 217
Note:
The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian
are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book. To
learn more about this ground-breaking book and to order copies,
click
here.
©
2002 by Rodger Dean Duncan & Ed J. Pinegar
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