Jo Saxton

Think of the leaders that you respect or who impact you the most.  What is it about them that earns your respect and admiration?  Be as specific as possible!

For me, some of the characteristics that I admire are people who have passion, integrity, authenticity, a godly character, a real (and dynamic) relationship with Jesus, a life which is marked by self-sacrifice.  A man or woman who has vision, who is out there leading the way and setting the example, someone who is able to communicate that vision and has enough patience not to get frustrated when things don’t quite go according to plan or not everyone immediately jumps on board!  To get all these things in one person would be a miracle – who’s perfect, hey?!  But these are all great qualities and something most of us aim for.

Whether we are the leader of a large church or a small group facilitator, sharing from the well of what the Lord is speaking to us about – and doing currently in our life – is genuine and has great sincerity.  It also shows those around us that we are all on a journey, that God continually has a fresh word for each one of us.  Modelling a healthy response to that word and then sharing what happens (both good and bad) as a result of stepping out in obedience can be hugely powerful.  Leaders need to have testimony of what God is currently doing in their lives.

One of the women in our church recently shared how God had been talking to her about getting out more into the community.  Unsure about what to do, she and her husband simply invited about 30 from her missional community to meet in a local park and see what God would do!  They noticed a woman with young children wandering around, obviously looking for something, with her kids becoming increasingly agitated.  It turned out she had lost her car keys, so the group all searched the park for them, doing so until sundown.  When they couldn’t find the keys they decided to pool money from their purses to pay for a locksmith to open the car and get it started for her.  This level of servanthood and generosity made a massive impact and tremendous God conversations followed with the woman and her family.

Stories of how God is working in other people’s lives prompts me to step out of my comfort zone, to pray more and to have greater faith for how God can work through me too.  Hopefully I will then see more fruit!  This then becomes a process that we encourage in those we lead.

God is our loving heavenly Father who loves to talk to and interact with us.  He is always speaking to us, revealing more of Himself to us.  Sometimes He is saying a lot, sometimes it is one word or just a gut feeling.  While the truths in the bible are unchanging and eternal, God breathes freshness over His word through His Holy Spirit.

• What is God saying to you at the moment?
• How does that affect your leadership and those you lead?
• How can you encourage those you lead to hear from the Lord and to act on what they hear?