Leadership

When I was a young boy, I wanted to be a firefighter. I can’t remember why, but at the time, it seemed like a noble and worthy pursuit. As I grew up and started thinking a career path, my aspirations began to focus on medicine and finding “success” as a doctor. 

I entered college and thought I knew where I wanted God to take me. Little did I understand, at the time, that God’s plans were nothing like my plans. A life of personal success and financial accomplishment was not what he had in mind; looking back I am grateful for how he thwarted my plans and brought his plans into fruition. His plans are far better and there is no place I’d rather be. 

As far back as I can remember, I’ve found myself in leadership roles. In kindergarten it was just wanting to “help” to get things done. Mrs. Blackestone’s note to my parents simply stated, “Mark needs to learn to let others lead.” The translation as I look back: Mark can be bossy and controlling. It was un-shepherded leadership. 

I was a safety patrol on two different occasions in elementary school. In high school, it was student counsel, captain of various sports teams, President of National Honor Society at our school, a school-wide bible study leader and self-appointed “president” of the youth group. 

In college, I found many opportunities to lead: I was president of my dorm, an RA, I worked in the admissions office as a Student Ambassador and I planned multiple service trips over spring break with college friends. 

I was an influential leader on campus, so I thought, and felt I had leadership skills coursing through my veins. 

In graduate school at Michigan State, I met Jesus and my life was turned upside down. The path I had for my life with success, accomplishment, prestige,  and financial security was turned upside down in that transformational encounter. 

Over the past 24 years, my wife and I have served in full-time vocational ministry. The longer we serve, the more we recognize that leadership is not about title or position. It’s not about financial status or academic prowess. True leadership is about humility, dependence on Christ, and living as a servant leader. The more we lean into Christ, the more dependent we find ourselves on him, the more positioned we are for Christ to pour us out and to use our lives and his influence in us for his glory and his purposes. 

I don’t fully know all the details of where God is leading us, but I know He is leading me, and my wife, to serve pastors and their wives, churches and missionaries to help them thrive as shepherd leaders. And I trust he will lead us as we follow and serve him.