Equipping Others: A Leadership Call to Expand Kingdom Capacityનમૂનો

The Leadership Lab: God's Design for Growth

Exodus 17 narrates how God led the people of Israel to a desert location called Rephidim. They had come out of Egypt, were going through the desert, and were on their way to the promised land. However, it was not a pleasant experience; they were in the desert. They complained to their leader, Moses, about the “challenging” circumstances they were enduring, and it became a developmental experience for all (including Moses!). The Scripture reads, “but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.” (Exodus 17:1-2) What would you have done if you were in Moses’s situation?

Leadership is rarely learned in a classroom. A classroom might spark the imagination, but relationships and experiences cement leadership learning. Challenging tasks or circumstances seem to be a very effective catalyst for leadership growth in comparison with other mechanisms. Many of the lessons learned in a classroom setting do not seem to transfer easily or apply perfectly to every circumstance that leaders face.

It is impossible to think that growth in leadership happens by only one artifact: there's a need for a variety of them, like reading, listening, reflecting, being trained, seeking advice, deciding, applying, assessing performance, receiving feedback, and starting things all over again, among others. There is a need for a robust and comprehensive plan. God is a merciful designer of the types of experiences leaders need to go through for them to grow and be ready to fulfill His purposes, He is the perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He will always find ways, tasks, relationships, and assignments for leaders to expand their capacity and to increase their trust in Him. Some of the most impactful and developmental experiences for leaders normally imply relocation, “need for water-in-the-desert” type of experiences (like the one Moses was going through!), supernatural provision, difficult relationships, loss, betrayal, and uncomfortable situations, among others.

Some experiences seem to have just happened to leaders, while some others are clearly engineered with growth in mind. Just like many global corporations design these kinds of developmental experiences for their executives by sending them to coaching sessions, executive education programs, or relocating them to other countries for a season, God also designs experiences for His children with growth in mind. He is the greatest designer of experiences who takes leaders out of their comfort zone and into a space of significant learning and growth. He always knows how to blend the perfect mix of developmental ingredients and, with the right measure, at times stretching for leaders, but never beyond what they can bear.

For Reflection: Can you identify an experience/developmental assignment that helped you grow significantly as a leader? Are you ready for the multi-layer, purpose-driven, and God-sized opportunities and challenges that are ready for you?