I run a small business, T3 Leadership Solutions, Inc., where I provide consulting, executive leadership coaching, customized leadership development programs, and diversity, equity and inclusion training. My work is my mission field.
Most of my clients are not Christians or their faith is not top of mind. However, on occasion, a client will make the importance of their faith known and invite me to share that perspective in my practice. With this invitation, I recently shared with a senior leader that managing people is ministry. He had never thought of leadership in that way before. His confession did not surprise me. I see it as a consequence of our limited discipleship practices.
At church, we talk about the church, the Bible, perhaps some community, justice, relationships or service projects, but rarely do we focus on either leadership or our vocations as missional. When was the last time that you heard a sermon series or participated in a Bible study or small group discussion that specifically focused on leadership? After all, Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples as they go about their days. Most Christians in the United States will spend most of those days at work (or working remotely). So, why are we not preparing more Christians to lead and become ambassadors for Christ in their workplace?
When I was training to become a U.S. Marine Corps officer, I was taught the leadership fundamentals of mission accomplishment and troop welfare. We learned that winning battles was impossible without a well-trained, united fighting force. Officers lead, yet troops win battles. Therefore, it is the officer’s responsibility to ensure that the troops are well-fed, well-rested, and well-trained.
We prepared for battle daily because, as the saying goes, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” The U.S. Coast Guard’s motto for this is semper paratus, or “Always ready.” Managing a team means that leaders must ensure their readiness. This posture of mission readiness and care for people is also modeled in the teaching and shepherding leadership of Jesus.
Jesus was clear about his mission: “[The Son] can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). Yet, Jesus’ mission was not for himself. His mission was to usher in a new kingdom, to invite his disciples to share and partake in that kingdom, and to train them so they would carry on that missional work. Jesus was building a team of spiritual warriors who spent most of their time ministering among common folk who were just going about their day’s work.
If our mission is to continue this work, then we need to train more disciples toward this end. We cannot simply train people to serve the needs of the church—we need to train them to advance God’s kingdom as they serve in their lives. Otherwise, they will be unfit for their battles, and we would not have led, managed, or stewarded our responsibilities well.
Read more from Natasha Sistrunk Robinson »
Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is the visionary founder of Leadership LINKS, Inc. and the author of A Sojourner’s Truth and Mentor for Life.