What follows are the writer's reflections from the Biblical Foundations of Leadership module via the Christian Leadership Alliance Online Academy. Participants reviewed Scott Rodin’s outline of the journey to become a Steward Leader in the book, "Becoming a Steward Leader", then reflected where they are in their own development.
I am not God. I need God. I want God. I show God.
My first requirement in becoming a steward leader is to realize that I am not God. Understanding this simple truth helps me disassociate myself from the ‘owner’ mentality. I am part of something special; something much larger than myself. I am part of a divine design set in motion before time and am called to love the Creator of that plan. I am not God.
Next is coming to the realization that I need God. Purposefulness being my intent, it becomes clear my desires, attitudes and efforts are meaningless without a Savior. Because I am not God I cannot save myself. I need God.
Then, I reach the point where I want God. Seeking God consumes me. Like a giddy psalmist joyfully describing the yearning to be in His presence, I recognize there is no better company to keep than the Spirit of the Lord. My time spent with God compounds, as does my love for Him. I want God.
Finally, on a true pursuit towards steward leadership I show God. I don’t even belong to myself. I am a temple of the Lord’s, a reflection of unconditional love. I am mature in my intimacy with God, myself, my neighbor and creation. Bearing fruit in these areas becomes second nature, a benefit of a Spirit-filled life. This is the most difficult aspect of the journey to maintain. It can always be improved, thus it is never fully accomplished. It is a place I visit but where I don’t really live.
That is my humble (and compared to what is already written—feeble) approach to summarizing the journey to becoming a steward leader. Each statement demonstrates additional maturity and accountability, yet all of them intertwine into a sort of synergistic, steward-filled blueprint.
Where am I on this journey?
It’s hard to say. I have determined this journey is more fluid and less defined. If nothing else, after reading Scott Rodin, viewing the presentation and wrestling with this topic, I am at least more intentional about the use of everything in my life. My pursuit of becoming a steward leader affects every angle of my life—in a positive way. It has turned into a self-audit of my heart, mind and actions. I’ve also noticed that sometimes I just want to be a follower. I want to be given direction, to be shown where to go, to be a passive participant with less “doing” and more “being”. Then again, I am a follower because I am not God. I need Him. I want Him.
Written by Ben Lee
