Bible Students

Some Thoughts on “Shrinking the Integrity Gap” by Mattson (chapters 7-10)

Arrogance is similar to narcissism. Arrogance sees the individual as greater than others around them. They often do not seek wisdom from other people, but believe they have all they need. Arrogant leaders will not provide well for their teams. They must show humility in order to incarnationally live the gospel for their team members. Assessments can be used to see how the individual views themself. This can be used to diagnose arrogance in leaders and seek out solutions. 

Many parents want their children to grow in their own values, not in the direction the child wants to grow in. Each person on a team is uniquely wired by God to contribute differently to a team. Different members have different values and contributions which all work together in order to successfully move toward their goals. Many great leaders have disregarded the cares of other people on their team, to their own demise. 

Healthy leaders must be willing to look at how their ways are affecting others on the team. They must look for grace and love in their relationships, rather than striving to be shown correct in even the smallest situations. Christians must seek to understand the values of others, especially when they have different styles. All four styles of team members must be properly appreciated and understood. 

Leaders who refuse to listen will have massive blindspots. Proper leaders must learn to listen to those on their team, and reduce the amount of talking they do. They should be engaged with those on their team, and be willing to carefully and attentively listen to all team members. Leaders should strive to synthesize and repeat what the other individual says in order to show they have understood. They should also empathize with the other person, truly trying to understand how the other person is feeling about their ideas. 

Team members will appreciate when leaders truly listen to them. The four different kinds of team members will be able to thrive when the leader intently listens to the team. Additionally, while all four types will respond differently to negative situations, all four will eventually respond well to leaders who actually care about their feelings and want to empathize with them to create a solution. 

Pastors must be on the lookout for burnout. They need to be sure not to spend themselves so far that they ignore their limits and quit early. Leaders must prepare well. Many ministry leaders have compassion fatigue and burnout which melts away their desire or love for the ministry. Burnout is often seen as something which shows the hardworking nature of the leader, but this is a social trap, as burnout is always bad. 

Many leaders believe it is better for themself to do everything themself rather than delegate to other people. True leaders need to delegate responsibilities to other people, otherwise they are not leading at all. Pastors can not only depend on themselves. They need to depend on others. If they depend only on themselves, they will harbor bitterness and eventually result in burnout. Leaders should move others toward serving Christ for themselves. Partnership must not be only a theory. Efficiency must not become a mistress. Leaders must allow others to do work as well, even when those things may be done worse outside of the leader’s hands. Pastors should be able to push each other to know their own limits. How can the pastor know how to push others to know their limits when they do not know their own limits? Physical pain can be a signifier of burnout. Do not believe only you can do the job. Give the job to others and include them in serving the Lord. 

Pastors are often lonely. Congregations do not see the pastor as a regular person, but rather someone who has it all together and who does not need fellowship. Additionally, pastors often neglect their need for proper fellowship and being poured into by others in the body of Christ. Pastors must pay attention to having fellowship with others. Loneliness is far too prevalent in church leadership. 

Relationships must be an active part of the ministry of the pastor. There must be healthy rhythms of rest and work, in addition to community. Relationships must not only be areas for ministry, but areas to be ministered to. Pastors must be connected, and not be isolated. Deep relationships are absolutely essential.