I've been studying and talking a lot about leadership recently. Last week we got to know a little bit about the relationship between Paul the Apostle and Timothy, his young apprentice, as we began our series on 2 Tim. I'm finding many leadership lessons as I develop these sermons for the weekend services. I'm also reading some interesting books and articles as part of my preparation.

In this week's installment of Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I want to quote from a book by Dan Allender, President of Mars Hill Graduate School, near Seattle. The book is called, Leading With a Limp, and I've found that Dr. Allender has a way of shattering stereotypes. He makes a strong point that "natural" leaders are dangerous because people who can lead without God don't tend to rely on his strength in order to become supernatural leaders. His observation is that God's plan is to use people who are reluctant to lead (hence, the idea of leading with a limp). Why is that? Because "the reluctant leader is not easily seduced by power, pride or ambition." Talk about a strategy that helps us fulfill our purpose - try this principle on for size: "Doubt is the context for surrender. And flight is the path for obedience. When we're reluctant to lead, doubting ourselves and our call, we are ripe for growth as a leader." I don't think his point is so much to be full of doubt, but to empty ourselves of enough pride that we can be full of the Holy Spirit, who strengthens the weak to serve.