Management Vs. Leadership

2010 August 31

by Tyler

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.

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?

Filed under: church Tags: church

Brad Schlief

Great quotes. These quotes truly define the difference between leadership and management. Being a corporate guy, I see the difference every day in the many leadership and management roles that I interact with. I believe we are all LOOKING for leadership, but most times we end up with management filling the position. In many cases, the leadership gets beaten out of you and you are forced by the situation to be a leader. Jesus was the ultimate leader and even when he had to be a manager, he did it and then went right back to leading. I believe that leaders need to be intentional about leading or they can fall into the management trap. I believe that a lot of burnout that people feel is based on the premise that they are either leaders being forced to manage or managers being forced to lead.
http://web.me.com/love101 A. Amos Love

Tyler

You write…
“Almost all of the “big name” church conferences today are focused on leadership and the development of it.”

You would think, after all these years, someone would have this figured out.

I have some question’s about “your” use of the word “leader.”
The word “leader”seems like a “high place.” Yes?
Jesus always took and recommended the **low place.** Yes?

Seems Jesus has a different take on “Leadership” for **His Body.**

Jesus humbled Himself, made himself of NO reputation,
and took on the form of a **Servant.** Php 2:7-8.

How do “you” reconcile the use of the word “leader”
when “Jesus” told **His disciples** NOT to be called “leader?”

Jesus, in Mat 23:10 KJV, told **His disciples** “NOT” to call themselves
“Master / Leaders,” for you have “ONE” “Master / Leader” “The Christ.”

King James Version -
Neither be ye called masters:
for “ONE” is your Master, even Christ.

The Interlinear Bible -
Nor be called leaders,
for “ONE” is your leader the Christ.

Phillips Modern English -
you must not let people call you leaders,
you have only “ONE” leader, Christ.

Today’s English Version -
nor should you be called leader.
your “ONE” and only leader is the Messiah.

Jesus told **His disciples** NOT to be called **leaders** and NONE did.

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant

**His Disciples** all called themselves **Servants.**
None called themselves “Leaders.” None? None.
None called themselves “Servant-Leader.” None.

If Jesus instructed **His Disciples** NOT to call themselves “leaders”
and someone calls them self a “leader” or thinks they are a “leader;”

Are they NO LONGER a “Disciple of Christ?” Oy Vey!!!
Or, are they just a **disobedient** “Disciple of Christ?”

Why isn’t what Jesus said important?

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall **hear MY voice;**
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16

One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice.
If Not Now, When?

Be blessed in your search for Truth… Jesus.
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

Wow, one of the longest comments I’ve ever gotten. Well done.

I’d say back that I totally agree that a true leader must first humble him/herself. And I do think that many of these books on leadership and conferences give this some focus.

However, you can’t deny that the Bible talks about elevating some select people to specific roles of leading the people of God. And if that is true, we should be LEADING to the best of our God-inspired ability.
Greg Oakes

I think within the church leaders to often are meant to come from a defined position. While hierarchies exist, I think the church can be unique that leaders can lead from all levels. People at all levels can provide vision, can support one and another and can mentor. I have found in business that leaders tend to foster and encourage leadership throughout all aspects of their lives. Why not try to cross pollinate leaders from outside the church with leaders from within the church? The audience is there. Leaders are there.
http://web.me.com/love101 A. Amos Love

Tyler

You write…
“you can’t deny that the Bible talks about elevating some select people to specific roles of leading the people of God.”

Seems Jesus showed us the way.
Don’t think “elevating select people” was His intent.

As man, Jesus humbled Himself, made himself of NO reputation,
and took on the form of a “Servant.” Phil 2:7-8.

“All” “His Disciples” called themselves “Servants.” NONE called themselves “Leaders.”

“Titles” and “Position” give you a reputation, whether you want it or not.

Is the “Title” and “Position” of **Today’s** “Pastor/leader” found in the Bible?

I can’t find one congregstion “led” by a pastor. Can you?

“Idols” of the heart are dangerous. (Ezek 14:1-11)
And Jesus told “His Disciples” NOT to be called “Master.”(Mat 23:8-10)

In my experience…
“Titles” become “Idols.”
“Pastors” become “Masters.”

When you believe the lie… You start to die…

Jesus… The Shepherd and Bishop of my soul….
http://www.manofdepravity.com Tyler

I think we’re coming from 2 very different perspectives. I won’t try to convince you away from yours.
http://www.religionsucketh.com/2010/09/05/se7en-15/ se7en | religion sucketh

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