Journeys into Leadership
October 27, 2009 |
The other weekend I ran into a guy (literally) who had stopped short to turn around as we followed the masses out of a church sanctuary. “Sorry,” he said, looking disheartened and eying the crowd. “I was supposed to have a group following me.”
“No problem,” I laughed. “’Nobody behind me’ is the story of my life…..”
And it really is. I can’t tell you the number of times in my life as a leader, I’ve look around—amazed—that for once people actually sometimes follow me. Because it certainly wasn’t always the case.
Growing up, I was never the kid who always had some great thing going, the girl everyone looked to to start the fun. Instead, I was the sort to shyly suggest a game or activity and have everyone go, “Nah…. Let’s play this instead!” I wasn’t on student council in high school, and I was not the social go-to person. And in college, I sort of dug into my studies (and—okay—a bit of socializing) and didn’t lead anything.
The only inklings I had through much of my early life that I might have some sort of leader-like gifts were when I would write. Apparently, I always had a knack for “persuasive” writing—and was on more than one occasion deemed a “thought leader” by teachers and professors. Not bad, but certainly not the same as a leader leader. At least not in my mind.
But when I entered the workforce something changed. I suppose because I was in a profession—magazine editing—where the thought leaders WERE the leader leaders that suddenly people began to call out and encourage my leadership gifts. I was passed batons—if you will—as others moved up and onward, and people began to look to me as a leader. Suddenly, I’d suggest something and instead of “Nah….” I’d get a “Great!” or at least a “Not bad, but what if we….”
As others affirmed my gifts, it opened my eyes and my heart to other ways I felt the Spirit prompting to use my “new found” gifts: in ministry, in community, in my family. Today, I don’t hesitate to call myself a leader—even though sometimes it still shocks me. That a shy girl who preferred hiding behind words could grow up to lead amazes me. Especially when I end up with a group following me.
Sorry if I’ve rambled, but this little walk down “Journey into Leadership” Lane (that I first did after I passed the guy I bumped in to) has sparked a couple different desires. The first is for us women leaders—especially those of us in ministry—to call each other out in our gifts and to affirm abundantly the gifts we see at work in others. Because so often leaders are gifted in ways that might not fit perfectly the image of a leader leader.
And also it’s increased my desire to hear YOUR journeys in leadership. I think we all ought to spend time sharing how God brought us into the places where we are now—leading, learning to lead, or maybe waiting to lead.
And actually, this is something I’d love to hear about from you all now! What’s your journey into leadership? How’d you get where you are? Where do you sense God calling you next?
Caryn Rivadeneira, managing editor of Gifted for Leadership, is author of Mama's Got a Fake I.D.: How to Reveal the Real You Behind All That Mom. She and her family live in the western suburbs of Chicago. Visit her at her blog or The Mommy Revolution blog.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on October 27, 2009
Comments
My leadership journey is an outgrowth of my gift for teaching. As a young child, we always played school: guess who was the teacher? I was a piano teacher at 14, a public school teacher in my 20’s, and a homeschool teacher (five sons!) in my 30’s & 40’s.
Now the training that took place during those hidden years has developed into a public ministry. As a columnist and author, I write and speak nationally on parenting, homeschooling, and music teaching issues.
Recently I stepped into the role of curriculum writer/teacher for an adult parenting class: Building Tomorrow’s Generation While Cleaning Up Today’s Spilled Milk. Supporting that ministry, I develop special events for parents, a skill I learned while coordinating general sessions for our state homeschool conference and preparing countless piano recitals with my 34 piano students.
I never expected to be at this place in this season of my life, but it has been a grand ride. God has a wonderful journey for us when we turn over the keys to Him!
Posted by: Marcia Washburn on October 30, 2009
Thank you for sharing your Journey into Leadership. I also thank Marcia for sharing hers.
My Journey into leadership was not understood or known by relatives or others, but as far as I can remember, I ran third space in a competition among some of the schools I attended. I was the one, the teacher asked to read a passage from our reading book, as example to the other students of how we should read. In School, among adults, as my family circle would have us be, I became the "the one" that was especially liked. I was also a very sensitive even at the age of 6. My aunt at the time with whom I lived for a while, had a lady friend; I observed one day she was sad, and I suspected she was ill-treated by some family member, and it troubled me a lot, for I held a deep concern for her. I can remember at the age of twelve, I wrote on the wall of our home, "God is love". Deep inside I had a hunger to know God, and I used to stay up at night when all at home was asleep and pray to God. I dreamt about Jesus, and I asked Jesus, if He was greater than God. I used to have quite some dreams about Jesus calling me. At 16, I began having open visions, and did not know what it was at the time, but I saw myself in front of a crowd, talking to them about God.
While praying, I would have a vision of myself preaching, at the same time, the thoughts of the message would be going out in a sermon to the crowd. I still did not fully understand what all this was about. I has already accepted Christ as my Saviour and Lord,and was teaching Sunday School, counselling married people, and other young people, singing solos, at church, Crusades, Concerts, visiting people in their homes, and praying for them. Some years later, God began talking to me. I was too busy, in many activities, ( I had already graduated from Bible School) I needed much more time to spend studying the Word of God, so I dropped choir, and used that time period in the Word. Soon after, God began to open doors of preaching His word, and it kept on ever since. This is now 34 years later since in ministry. I am an Ordained Evangelist, have done pastoral work also. I myself am amazed, and I have asked God, why has He chosen me to be an Evangelist preacher. I asked Him this because I came to know why the dreams, the visions, the way He was using me already, to counsel people, to be a cell group assistant Leader, etc., He told me because He is Sovereign, and has made His choice. I asked Him why He only started using me to preach at age(about 35 plus), since I knew He used to talk to me from the Scriptures, and spoke to my spirit also. He said that He was ready a long time, but I was not, as I had stresses, and difficulties in my life that were distractions. Many times, when I am not even studying or reading the Word of God, He would talk to me using Scripture. While brushing my teeth after eating lunch, He gave me a whole verse at once. "My covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that has gone out of my mouth". I went to the Bible and found it to be psalm 89: verse 34. When I think of my Saviour, I am in "awe", for I still cannot comprehend How He can love me so much,and why, because I know I am undeserving of the many ways, He blesses me, and allows me to sense His Presence, the opportunities, He gives me, it all causes me to feel so special; really in fact, we are special to God. I have never written a book, but have written a few devotionals. I desire to write a book, as I know others will be blessed,but with the help of the Lord, I look forward to doing so, in order to reach many more people,and encourage others in their walk with the Lord. May all who read the encouraging words of my sisters here, will be greatly encouraged, and will continue "daily" walking with the Lord, continue feeding yourself in the Word of God, and take time to fellowship with the Lord in private prayer time. God bless you!
Posted by: Abigail Taylor on October 30, 2009
It is so interesting to read Caryn's journey, getting into leadership. This was indeed my story too. Because of the fact that I have a hearing problem, none of the kids in school ever gave attention to me - in High School I was a Christian Student's Society Leader (I am staying in South Africa), but definitely not known for leadership!!
I also loved to write and read and was an example to the girls in my class for loving my language and how to write a story.
But... in church it was different. At the age of 18 I was chosen to teach Sunday School to the grade 1'S; At 20 I was Sunday School Secretary; at 25 I was the secretary of the Women's Association...
Then, at the age of 35 I was nominated as Business Woman of the Year for the SA Council for Business Women and also nominated on their board as their secretary...Here it started moving... in 1997 I got a prophetic work that I am going to work with women in ministry. Thereafter I was the vice-president of King's Daughters of Excellence in South Africa; a year ago I got president of Women in the Workplace Ministries and was just ordained as pastor of the Women's Ministry in my home church.
This leadership skills developed over the years ...but I first had to go through some difficult times, eg. sickness, a financial crisis in our family business..... the Lord first had to do some scouring, some trimming to get rid of things in my life that would not work in leadership (eg. a bad temper)... today I can see why everything happened in my life..... God had a dream for me... but I first had to get obedient...
Posted by: NERINA SMITH on November 2, 2009