Is it about you or your students?
I was watching the NBC Show “The Voice” with my daughter (#3) this week and I was reminded of a couple of things from previous years of viewing. The Voice is a show where hopeful singers from various musical slant stand on a stage and sing for four famous in the industry coaches while their backs are turned. While I am a fan of the under dog and seeing people make their dreams come true. The cool factor is the finalist usually come away with a record deal. Okay, back to the show.
While watching the show, the singers were giving their all and we were guessing if they would get a chair to turn or if they would get none. I began to see a pattern within the coaches.
It was as if they were trying to get attention from each other or the audience at times with disregard for the singer trying to make it big. I do admit when no chairs turn they are very sympathetic so that is nice. But when they carry on about themselves in a marketing stance, it rubbed me wrong, which made me think of my ministry.
The question I came up with is…. Are you building into people for your own gain or for their gain? God can grow them with both mindsets but one produces fruit much faster than the other.
So, let me ask you, Are you investing in people for your gain or theirs? It can’t be both.
If you are investing in them for their gain, awesome.. thank you. But if you are doing it for your gain, I will ask you to adjust,
Why adjust? simply because they will develop life long habits from you.. good or bad they are your disciple (student) and you are their guide. What they see you modeling they will also become and model. This is a cycle that will only end when a leader steps form the model and realizes the way he or she is learning is not the best most productive way.
I know at times I have fallen into a need for identity through who I am connected with but it isn’t fair for those who look to you as their leader and guide into the world of ministry or life for that matter.
Please join me regularly push the hold or pause button and do a quick evaluation of your leading…. a couple of question to prompt you:
1. Am I selfishly investing in this person to help me?
2. Am I helping them be all they can be?
3. How am I growing them to be the best person they can be?
4. Do I come away from meeting or teaching or investing in them with regret?
Good Luck in walking beside future leaders helping them be all they can be.
You Rock for sure.
It's just my junk 