Word for the day: “Succession leadership.”
John 14:12 (GNT): “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father”.
BELOVED LEADERS,
As a leader, you are very likely to give value to others or receive value from others, and many times this exchange happens concurrently. Your ability to support other leaders and embrace support from other leaders will enable you to be an effective leader in the servant leaders’ model.
TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE: THE ONES WHO GIVE VALUE AND THE ONES WHO RECEIVE VALUE.
Influential leaders, mentors, and managers must empower others to fulfill the purpose/assignment of any organization. In today’s devotion, we see Jesus has invested time and passion in developing leaders. Only at the point at which they could properly manage the resources did Jesus empower them. The teacher who offers empowerment too early sets up the developing leaders for failure—notice I said developing leaders, not followers. I believe the assignment of leadership is to empower and develop other leaders.
On the other hand, a leader who fails to empower capable people creates frustration. I believe that transformational empowerment is engaging your emerging leader to use his/her authority entrusted to them to fulfill their mission. Jesus imparted to his leaders a balance of both concepts. Peter was not ready for leadership before the crucifixion. He failed to use the empowerment given to him by Jesus. It required a failure in Peter’s life before he matured in his leadership; this is a significant lesson for all of us.
LEADERSHIP WITHOUT SUCCESSION PLANNING IS NOT LEADERSHIP.
However, once Peter began to take from Jesus what He had imparted to him, he became a powerful and effective leader. Jesus told his disciples they would be able to not only do what He had done but even greater things than He did. Notice how Jesus prepared Peter for the leadership role He wanted him to advocate in His Church.
However, Jesus intentionally took Peter away to a private place to teach him the content and context of leadership/headship. Jesus affirmed Simon Peter as a Rock, and on this Rock, He will build his Church, and what he binds on earth will be considered bound in heaven (Matthew 16:18-19).
It is a manifestation of Christ’s importance to Peter, a man he has trusted to lead His Church. Peter did not disappoint Jesus in his behavior, nor was he perfect in taking a decisive leadership role as head of the Church.
Quote Peter Drucker: “There is no success without a successor.”
POINT TO PONDER
Succession is a vital attribute of a transformational leader who empowers leaders to advance their purpose and assignment. Whatever your leadership assignment is, it will always involve advancing the lives of others.
Special thanks!
Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO) James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in November 2024, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. David and Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Brenda Spoach, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mr. William Jones, Mr. William Buchanan, Mr. William Wilson, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Mrs. Lola Moore, Ms. Rita McGuffin and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,