Your attitude as a leader is a vital to the health of your small group. That’s why your daily time with God is so important. It’s the starting point for leading from the heart.
It’s way too easy for a leader to fall into an “O, God …” attitude. O, God, these people aren’t really growing. O, God, why are we not serving more? O, God, why don’t we sense your presence? O, God, why is this group not growing in numbers?
I’ve witnessed this attitude in many leaders and many groups over the years, and I’ve seen this negativity frustrate and hinder a group from growing. Let me clarify … Yes, as leaders, we must be taking our concerns before God and surrendering them to Him. Yes, as shepherds, we must be aware of and concerned for the people entrusted to us. However, we cannot allow ourselves to turn negative. As a shepherd-leader, I need to allow God to work in His own way and in His own timing, surrendering what I think. When I start thinking negatively, I can miss the spiritual growth that is happening, perhaps below the surface. Spiritual maturity is extremely hard for humans to measure.
Our calling is to plant seeds, water, cultivate, and let God bring the growth and fruit. This is important! As leaders we must learn what is our role and what is God’s and not get the two confused!
The attitude of healthy, effective leaders is “Yea God!” Learn to celebrate what God is doing in and through your group and church. Be ready often to encourage even the baby steps you see. Don’t push for people to change. Just plant the seeds, cultivate them, and surrender their growth to God. He’s the only one who can really make things grow.
When you pray together take more time to praise God and thank Him for what He is doing in your group. Change the attitude of your group to proclaiming often, to one another and to those outside your group, “Yea God!”
