Whether you are just now entering leadership or are a veteran, boot camp helps. Boot camp, basic training, is designed to toughen those who will eventually be assigned a station in the military. Whether you’re going to crunch numbers or lead with your on-air presence, basic training is recommended.
Military.com suggests that all those entering boot camp prepare themselves mentally and physically. This translates well into our world of ministry. If you step into leadership, you are going to be followed. Your every move is scrutinized, analyzed, measured up and likely criticized. The same people who pay you lip service may give you lip on the way out. People you trust will falter. Theymight even abandon you. So how to prepare?
STEP ONE: FOCUS
Be strong in the Lord. Prayed up. In the Word. That’s step one. You can’t make a move without God. The Bible says, “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps”[Proverbs 16:9] and “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes”[Proverbs 16:9]. You can be a strong person, but when it comes to the Lord, you must be pliable, attentive, and in constant contact. “Take heed if you stand lest you fall”[1stCorinthians 10:12].
STEP TWO: CHECK YOUR SIN AT THE DOOR
When you enter basic training, the military requires that you leave the following at home: family, pets, expensive personal items, non-prescription drugs or drug paraphernalia, weapons, obscene or pornographic material, alcoholic beverages, gambling materials and tobacco products. That’s great advice! As Christians, we need to take it one step further. Check your sin at the door! As a leader, if you’re harboring sin that hasn’t been dealt with, the entire organization will have to deal with it. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”[Galatians 5:9]. A clear description might be two drops of tobasco sauce in a glass of milk. It ruins the entire drink. Unchecked sin affects you, your family and your organization.
STEP THREE: LEARN PERSON-TO-PERSON COMMUNICATION
The majority of our communication is done in the digital realm. But as a leader, you’re going to have to communicate in the physical, face-to-face. That means learning to say the hard things. Learning to read people. Learning what it means to give an in-person presentation.
CONCLUSION
The apostle Paul lacked some personal communication skills, and yet he became an amazing, God-inspired writer, teacher and leader. Moses had difficulty communicating, and yet he was able to stand up to Pharaoh. David’s sin with Bathsheba cost not one, but two lives. Yet God called David, His chosen king “…a man after His own heart”[Acts 13:22]. David was the least of his brothers and yet he was chosen for the throne.
God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, but He doesn’t do it without putting us through boot camp. If you want to be used, if you want to lead, prepare yourself thoroughly. Rest assured, it’ll be a journey you’ll never forget.
