LEADERSHIP IS ADVANCED FOLLOWING

We were on our way to minister in one of the State Capitals in the South West of Nigeria. We made a brief stop that Sunday afternoon with our spiritual parents. That afternoon my spiritual father asked me a powerful question.

The question was quite prophetic for the season that we were in— the spirit of division and rebellion was already rearing its ugly head. There were too many leaders in the boat. I knew that question was God-ordained. It helped through the season.

One of the major lessons I have learnt on the journey of ministry and vision is this— there is no way you can be effective as a leader if you are not effective as a follower.

You can build a Saul kind of vision or a David kind of vision. The Saul kind of vision starts by connection with Samuel (a father figure) but disconnects from Samuel on the journey.

A Saul leader can make decisions without recourse to fatherly guidance. He has the attitude of “there is no big deal.” ‘Whatever Samuel can do, Saul can do’ is the unwritten motto.

There are a lot of people who started out by learning from teachers, but they have now outgrown teachers. They are running their own show. They will merely exist but cannot do major things like killing giants. They may seem to do mighty things for a while, but they gradually enter a struggle to keep up.

A David leader does not joke with his Samuel. He is quick to find his Samuel. With a Samuel, they are preserved from attacks that swallow others.

The Saul leader cannot raise men to the height of greatness. If God blesses him with gifted men, he does not know how to handle them. He prays to God for them, but he rarely gets them. When he gets them, he loses them. In the extreme, he ends up entering into competition with them.

A David leader has the ability to walk with men through seasons. They have mastered the art of raising men to heights they have attained.

A Saul-leader builds a monument for himself from his achievements. A David-leader builds a monument in the heart of men that makes men dare death for their sake.

Paul told Timothy that is the pattern to follow:

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2 KJV

You can never be effective in leadership if you are not effective in following. As a matter of fact, leadership is advanced following. If you want to build a vision that will last, do not joke with following.

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