High Achievers using the F word.

In my last blog I talked about Church Leaders who are High Achievers and what makes them different from other church leaders. One of the things I pointed to is that High Achievers are more likely to take risks and therefore are more likely to fail. I know, for example that this is true of many secular business entrepreneurs who fail many times before they find that one thing, that one product or idea or concept that propels them onto world business stage, but you rarely read about or hear about  the many times that they failed before they succeeded.

Why, therefore do High Achieving church leaders keep going and have huge success? I believe it is for two reasons:

                                1) They are teachable.

                                2) They do not base their relationship with God on the success of their ministry or                                performance.

Being Teachable:

A short while ago I was chatting with a young leader about the closure of a particular program in his church and why after a great deal of fanfare at the launch of it, he had decided to shut it down after only twelve months.

 "So it was a failure" I said. "Yes it was" he replied honestly "But please don't let my congregation hear you use that term, rather say we are looking for a new way forward."

I had to smile to myself, because many times when I talk to leaders of vibrant growing churches they will not use the F word. But I believe that it is OK to use the term FAILURE!, because it shows two things; it shows we are human and we don't always get it right and secondly it shows that we are willing to learn from those mistakes and move forward. To me failure does not always have to have a negative connotation. You have only truly failed when you have failed to try. It is what comes next that really counts.

High achieving church leaders who have failed at something don't sit back and sulk, they immediately look to the reasons why, they find people with more experience and they learn from them. They learn new skills. They have a program of learning and a plan to be better at what they do. They read, they listen and they observe. They don't sit still. The High Achieving church leader does not allow pride, cynicism, scepticism or a lack of time to get in the way of wanting to succeed. Teachability is an openness to learn from every opportunity. If we do not learn from our mistakes and allow them to defeat us then we are doomed to keep repeating them.

Relationship with God.

Spending time alone with God is essential to any High Achieving church leader who wishes to be successful. A 60 or 70 hour week schedule will profit little but perfection in programming and performance and yet relationship with God is neglected.

I have had reason to discuss the idea of 'relationship with God' and what it means with many High Achieving church leaders. I also have had reason to ask this question of myself. I believe the only way to get to succeed is not through performance and ministry, because this could lead to arrogance and self indulgence. " Look I am more committed than anyone else in my congregation or leadership. But to spend time alone with God for at least a few hours a day, first reading the bible- just for soul food- and getting new ideas from HIM. Also that when we  pray it should more of a one sided conversation with God, a sounding board as it were, rather than petition and a constant asking of forgiveness for our own imperfection. There should be an idea of prayer without ceasing.

Let me also say this, I don't believe that God is as 'chatty' as many claim, God said this and then I said this and He counted by saying that etc. But I do believe that the more time spent alone with God the more we become aware of those small nudges that the Holy Spirit gives us.

Conclusion

High achievers are not afraid to take a risk and fail. They are not afraid of using the F word. "Look I failed BUT I am learning all the time and I will with God's help do better next time". High achievers focus not on the  success of the program or ministry but on the success of their personal relationship with God. The High Achiever is teachable, that is what makes them great at what they do, but a High Achiever  has a heart after God.