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Influence is one of those words that is tossed around a lot in leadership circles. Leaders like to use it when teaching and it’s a word that by all accounts most people would contend that they understand. But what if we don’t understand the word at all?

Its been said that Leadership is Influence and I would agree with that. In fact, I would go as far as to say that as you read those words, you most likely nodded in agreement. Of course leadership is influence – that’s a given right?

But here’s a question I’d like you to consider: What’s influence?

You see we often see influence based entirely on a person’s position. Accordingly, society operates on the premise that a principal of a school has more influence than the janitor. A General has more influence than a private. A politician has more influence than a voter. A business owner has more influence then the 16 yr old teenager that frequents the business. Maybe you agree with this concept, but if you do then I have to ask this question: Is positional influence a true reflection of the word influence?

Maybe your thoughts are that influence is really that certain magnetism that draws people towards and individual who has a plan, a vision, a mission to accomplish. Maybe your thoughts are that some individuals will have very little influence on others whereas other individuals will have incredible influence on millions of people. Is this correct? That influence is something that is given to all in various degrees and sizes? Or is influence something far greater?

I would contend that neither of these should be considered true influence. I would contend that true influence is not an individual standing in front of others saying the words, “Follow Me” but rather the individual who has the close relationship that permits that individual to speak directly into peoples lives.

Influence is not the idea that I’m the leader and I know what to do. It’s not positional. It’s not charisma. Rather, influence is the ability to speak into others lives in such a way that they are drawn to a greater vision or purpose then what they could ever imagine.

That’s what our pastors and our leaders do for us. Jesus made it clear that He was the one to follow and since that time, his disciples, the pastors and leaders of the church, have been given the privilege of speaking into others so that they may be drawn into the life that God has in store for them.

It goes without saying that many pastors and church leaders have misinterpreted the concept of influence and made the assumption that the people were drawn to their words, actions, and personalities. But I would contend that there is a greater number of pastors and church leaders who understand what true influence is and as such have fully taken to heart the words, “More of Him, Less of Me.”

What are your thoughts on influence?

Servant. That’s a word that we don’t hear enough in today’s culture. When we do happen to hear it – it’s never in a pleasant or respectful context. For most of us, when we hear the word servant immediately images of silenced individuals who tend to our many needs but secretly resent us and their position in life.

Don’t believe me? Next time when someone asks you what you do, tell them that you’re a servant and gauge their response. Because of the connotation of the word, most simply cannot comprehend what the word means.

In Philippians 2:3-4 Paul writes,

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more signifant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Paul is pretty clear that as Christians – we are to count others more significant of than ourselves. It’s not just our interest we are to look after, but also the interests of others. In a me-first society we’re to put others first.

Want to know how your servant attitude and mindset really is? Here’s a simple way to gauge it. You can tell your servant attitude by the way you react when people treat you like one.

I’ve heard it said time and time again that nothing happens until someone provides leadership for it. Whenever I hear that statement, I always ask myself, is that true? Does nothing happen until a someone steps up and says that they will provide leadership?

I would say that in the business world that is absolutely accurate. The only way a business or organization will grow is for someone to step up and be the leader. If no one steps up – then the organization and business ultimately fails.

Does that same philosophy work in the church?

I don’t believe it does – at least not the way it works in the business world. In the business world – it’s all about one individual standing up and saying I’m a leader – follow me! But in the church, God chooses the most unlikely people to be the leaders.

I would contend that time and time again we see stories in the Bible where God raised someone up into a position of authority. Adam, Noah, Joseph, Moses, David, Isaiah, Isaac, Peter, Paul, John, etc. all were raised into positions of authority long before they were considered leaders.

These men and many more all had one thing in common, God raised them up into leadership positions. They did not step up and say they wanted to be leaders, all they said was that they wanted to be faithful servants. It is only after they committed themselves to being faithful servants, that God blessed them and turned them into leaders.

What’s your thoughts? Who provides leadership? Is it people who say they are leaders or is it God who blesses people who want to be faithful servants?