I’ve spent a lot of time this summer processing the concepts of management and leadership and how they are often assumed to be the same thing, yet I’ve learned them to be two extremely different things.
Last week at Catalyst Andy Stanley said:
Managers manage to sameness, leaders lead to change.
One of my favorite quotes on management and leadership is:
Management is controlling complexities, leadership pushes towards innovation and change.
I’ve noticed a shift in church culture that has put a much greater emphasis on leadership. In reality, any organization needs both great managers and leaders. Almost all of the “big name” church conferences today are focused on leadership and the development of it. One of the most popular book genres today is leadership as well. So this isn’t only a church thing. Our culture is in love with leadership, its development, its philosophies, and its deployment.
In general I think of myself as a manager more than a leader. Part of this is necessitated by the two large ministries I help keep going week to week, but part of this is my personal focus on planning and organization. Going to church conferences that focus on leadership is always hard for me because I know it to be one of my weaker areas. My default is always to manage instead of lead. Maybe it is impossible to be both a great manager and great leader at the same time? Often I think to do one means you sacrifice some of the keys to the other. But I do acknowledge that my vision casting and leadership skills must be developed for the places in which I serve to make the next step.
So while I say all that, I also believe that the body of Christ needs excellent leaders and managers, not one or the other.
I’m not old enough to know whether the church has historically focused more on leadership instead of management, but my concern is part of our leadership focus has turned great pastor/leaders into celebrities in this small Christian sub-culture.
Navigating the balance between management and leadership can be particularly challenging, especially when the demands of maintaining and organizing large ministries come into play. Effective management requires a meticulous approach to planning and execution, which is often seen as less glamorous compared to the visionary aspect of leadership.
Yet, both are crucial for the health and growth of any organization, including those within the church community. When focusing solely on leadership, there is a risk of neglecting the essential HRM strategies that ensure smooth day-to-day operations and sustained progress. Management involves structuring and streamlining processes, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently, and maintaining a stable environment where goals can be met systematically.
However, I also believe we need leaders to help push the church beyond its out-dated form of existence and into today’s world. Managers might help that take place, but leaders are the ones who get people to buy in.
Any of you leaders out there have thoughts on this?
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