That's Good Advice

Leadership is an interesting dynamic, particularly when it comes to team-building.

You want people who understand the direction and buy in to the vision as well as step in and do whatever needs to be done to move a group or organization forward towards the desired goal or outcome. At the same time, you don't want a group of "yes-men", for who knows what will be missed, overlooked or ignored all in the name and effort of keeping the peace, keeping one happy or keeping in their good graces.

Hence, one of my favorite scenes from the show, The West Wing, when the Chief of Staff offers a job to a lawyer whose political party affiliation is not the same as the administrations'. She has dreamed of working in the White House "since she was 12", but never imagined it would be for the opposing party. Meanwhile, the CoS continues to make his case, appealing to her sense of duty. Ultimately, he gives a great reason why she should join the team, as Associate White House Counsel.

"The President likes smart people who disagree with him."

Not many leaders specifically pick people who disagree with them. And while it might not be a good idea to have a full team of disagreeing people, having someone who can bring a different perspective because they operate from a different belief system has it's advantages. Will you ever come to agree on anything? Maybe. But what happens in the course of the conversation is powerful.

New questions are posed. Premises are challenged. Understanding is gained. Perspective is widened. Experience is shared. And who knows... as happened in a later episode, the outsider might just turn someone around on an issue, making for a better decision and outcome regarding the issue at hand.

So, on this #deaconThursday, pray that God would grant discernment to pastors as to who they need and should surround themselves with when it comes to counsel, advice and input. While there are elements of faith and doctrine that they should absolutely be in agreement regarding church leadership and ministry, pray that they would be in agreement because they were able to work through a conversation and the differences of opinion rather than simply saying 'yes'. May their differences in opinion and perspective not stand in the way of them coming together for the cause of Christ and advancing the kingdom of Heaven. Pray God would perform the miraculous, through the acts of submission and willingness to serve in ministry; even when decisions and plans don't go as they would have liked, hoped and planned.

A unified force
Because of a commitment to work through the differences
For the glory of God

- PNC