On Leading Well

Year: 2007

  • Knowing & Doing in Africa

    He laid aside his outer garments…and taking a towel…began to wash the disciples’ feet…. “If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13

    A New Mindset
    “You will take your meals in here,” we were told by our gracious hosts after our arrival in Lomé, Togo. Simple, tasty servings of fish and rice doused with local spices were set before us in the air-conditioned comfort of our guest quarters. Breakfast arrived on our doorstep the next morning. John, Karen, Dave and I began to wonder if we deserved such special treatment all week.

    “Is it common in your culture for the officers to eat separately from the troops?” I asked Kennedy, the Campus Director for the French-speaking Area of Affairs. “I don’t want to cause offense,” I continued, “but from this point forward our team would like to take meals outdoors with everyone else.”

    This cultural value of over-deference to positioned leaders contributed to an environment that did not encourage risk-taking, rapid learning, empowering leadership or student-led movements. When Jesus laid aside his robe (a cultural cue that he was a Teacher), he also set aside the trappings of his position.

    By coming alongside godly, committed staff members from 18 countries in Africa, we were able to lead in a new way, together, which helped reground all of us in Biblical values. The “work hard, play hard, be overly diligent” values we cherish so dearly in North America and Singapore were challenged head-on with African values of hospitality, deep relationships, and languishing conversations.

    I wish I could tell you that all problems were solved, all questions answered, and that it will be smooth sailing in the future. You know better. The world is a BIG place. There are huge gaps between the compelling vision God has given us for student-led spiritual movements on every campus and what currently exists. We have hope, though. The Lord of the nations is clearly at work. Let’s get up from our knees, roll up our sleeves and do it together.

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  • What Does It Look Like for a Leader to Love?

    Steve, my boss, opened four days of meetings with this question yesterday. When was the last time you heard of a president or CEO breaking the ice like this? The fifteen of us in the room invested an hour discussing acts of loving leadership. These included attentiveness, listening, taking action on what we know is right, doing what we said we would do, building trust by being worthy of it, and creating a safe environment. Steve and his wife Judy personify many, if not most, of these traits. They are easy to follow. Once again I am left with the conclusion that great leadership isn’t rocket science.

    October is nearly gone and this will be my only entry for the month. It’s not that I haven’t been reflecting – I have. Just not here.

    Today – Halloween – is my spiritual birthday. 34 years ago Ann Pugh shared the gospel with me during a backyard Bible club on a Wednesday afternoon. The felt board she used had a big red heart with a door in the middle. Jesus was willing to enter my heart if I would open the door, confess my need for him, and invite him in. Though only 10 years old, I can remember with astonishing clarity going upstairs that evening, kneeling beside my bed, confessing the crud in my life, and experiencing the flood of forgiveness that flows from the Cross.

    Lessons for us: Never underestimate the power of love, or the ability of young people to understand profound, simple truths.

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  • Manhood on Sept 11


    The other reason we remember September 11 around our home is that it is Travis’ birthday. Today marks 18 years for him. Here’s what I wrote on his card:

    Travis,

    Congratulations! Today marks a rite of passage. In our society you legally become a man. I am proud as your earthly father to have a son like you, as you have been becoming a true man for many years now.

    For 18 years I have prayed the same prayer – that you would grow in WISDOM and STATURE and FAVOR with GOD and with MEN. By any standard – worldly and spiritual – God has clearly answered this prayer.

    Travis, you are a blessing to me, to Mom, to our family and to the world around you. May your life always be a crossroads – a line in the sand inviting others to step over that line and join you in becoming true heroes.*

    Proverbs 15:20 says a wise son makes his father glad. This is true. Have a wonderful day and know that I love you.

    In Jesus, Dad

    *P.S. For those not versed in Texas history: Legend tells us that Col. William Barrett Travis, one of the few commissioned soldiers at the fall of the Alamo, upon realizing that the 180 men there could not hold out much longer against Santa Anna’s 5,000 troops, drew his sword and etched a line in the sand. He then invited any volunteers who would fight for Texas’ independence to step across the line. All others were free to leave, after which the gates would be locked and they would fight to their death.

    Every man but one stepped across the line.

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