John Sweetman
This post is a continuation of a previous theological reflection on one of John Maxwell’s laws of leadership.
Maxwell's Law #18: The Law of Sacrifice: "A leader must give up to go up."
Summary of Maxwell’s Principle
Maxwell tells the story of Lee Iacocca and the turnaround at Chrysler. Iacocca understood that successful leaders have to maintain an attitude of sacrifice in order to turn around an organization. The true nature of leadership is really sacrifice. It is a constant in leadership. It is an on-going process, not a one-time payment. Leaders who want to rise have to give up their rights. As you rise in leadership, responsibilities increase and rights decrease. Effective leaders sacrifice much that is good in order to dedicate themselves to what is best. Leadership success requires continual change, improvement, and sacrifice. The greater the leader, the more he/she must give up. For example, Martin Luther King paid a huge price to lead his people to equality.
John’s Theological Reflection
This principle has solid biblical footings. When some of Jesus' disciples asked for important leadership positions, Jesus knew they had no clue what they were asking for. He called them together and said (my paraphrase), "In the secular leadership world, position means power and control. But in my kingdom the great leaders are actually slaves of everyone. That’s how I see my own role." (Matt. 20:25-28)
So do you want to be a Christian leader? Now we need to put Jesus’ statement in its cultural context. Servants and slaves in Roman society could have significant responsibility and standing, depending on their master. They weren’t necessarily doormats. It’s just that they weren’t free - they had to serve. For a leader, giving up control and freedom is a significant sacrifice.
Don’t think that when you move up to the next rung of leadership things will get easier. Oh, some things might. You may find that you have more influence and recognition, even better resources. This can be helpful and exciting at times. But there will be more problems, greater responsibility higher expectations by followers, and possibly less encouragement. In 2 Cor 11, Paul talks about the huge cost of his missional, apostolic, Christian leadership role. He concludes with, “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (11:28). Yes, there’s sacrifice involved.
Not that sacrifice slows down a true Christian leader. You’re not looking for an easy path. Face up to the cost (it’s not going to get any easier), lay down your freedom, and then follow God’s calling with all your heart.
