The Leadership Experience (1)

Heat Check
E-NATION! This year’s Summer Conference was very timely. Many of us can attest to the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father in exceeding the expectations which we came with. And He did not leave us wanting. From its very inception to the moment we shared closing grace, we were immersed in the presence of God. There was a hunger in the air, and we in one accord came to glean from the wealth of wisdom that fell from the Father’s table.

Truly God gives us shepherds from His own heart; This year, it was in the body of Lead Pastor Gerald Plange of Upper Room Family International Church and Pastor Benjamin Appiah of All Nations Church-Kharis House. Over a two-night course on deck, these men of God took us under their wings, steadily unpacking the meaning of Leadership.

This message comes at a time of transition, where God’s people are being propelled to the next level of their respective ministries, being promoted in their workplaces, and having conviction to live out their God-given vision. And we took notes — yes we wrote the vision down — because we need to run! Enjoy the recap of this two-night series:

Night One
Young Ministers and Leaders Panel Discussion:
The Night began with a message from Ps. Benjamin Appiah titled Leadership Reconceived. He expounded on what leadership is and what leadership is not. He stripped the word down to its two components, Laden (to go before as a guide) and Ship (to create; a means of getting something from one place to another).

Leadership is:
…Not about winning a vote.
“Leadership is not about how many people are following you.”

…Not about being gifted.
“You might be gifted, but it might not be the prerequisite into putting you into leadership.”

…Not about being served.
“Sometimes we feel that as leaders, everyone must bow down to us.”

…Not about being Spiritual.
“The truth is you can be a prayerful man and still be a prayerful fool because you haven’t been taught or sharpened on how to be a leader of excellence.”

…Not about acquiring power.
“Leadership comes with power, but the truth is, that should not be the primary concern.”

…Not about having all the answers
“Leadership is knowing that you don’t have all the answers; saying I don’t know does not denigrate your authority as a leader.

Leadership is:
…About service
…About sacrifice
…The capacity to translate vision into reality.
…Social influence that can be translated into spiritual influence, because physical relationship can be converted into spiritual influence.