Stop Running

I have a confession to make. I run. Not like I physically go on a jog, trust me that never happens, seen my getting close to man boobs lately? But I like to run things. I like to help things operate. Specifically, I like to run the worship ministry at Sojourn. I guess it's a good thing that it's my job. But it's a little bit of a problem. Let me explain.

I'm a hard worker. I'm not trying to brag, I just like to take a task as my own and see it to completion. I enjoy that. It's a good feeling to know that you were a part of making something happen. But for the past 2 months I've been so busy trying to run the worship ministry at Sojourn that I've forgotten to lead it. I've been running instead of leading.

I know what you're thinking, because I thought it too. As the leader, your job is to make sure that it runs smoothly, right? Oh yea, absolutely correct. Part of my job is definitely to be sure that the worship ministry runs and runs smoothly. But I've been getting the order of stuff mixed up.

Usually we think, "Part of running an organization is leading it."

WRONG!!!

Part of leading an organization is running it.

See the difference? Most of the time I get so focused on the task in front of me, I forget why that task is even there. Why am I even doing this? I know this is part of what I'm supposed to do, but why am I doing it again? I try so hard to make sure that the gas pedal is pushed so the tires turn. But I often forget that I have to grab the steering wheel to be sure we're heading in the right direction. I push the pedal harder and harder to go faster and faster and keep checking the speedometer but never look at the map.

So I have this big challenge for myself. The challenge is this...

Stop running the worship ministry entirely. And start leading it only.

I am no longer going to be running the worship ministry at Sojourn. That is not even going to be a thought for me. My total and complete focus is on leading the worship ministry.I know what you're thinking now, because I thought about it too. But if you're not running it, then who is? Great question, and it took me a while, but I realized the answer.

The key to the worship ministry running smoothly is making sure that it is lead strongly. Strength in the leadership will equal smoothness in the operation.

And I totally serious about this. I've got more that I want to say, but I'll say it later. You've read this much and you need a break. Plus it's time for me to go wreck up Toby and Clay's strategic planning meeting. I have no idea what goes on in these things, but Toby invited me so I'm going. More about leading and not running later.