Leaders are Bleeders

Leaders are bleeders! If you want to lead you have to be willing to bleed. The world is looking for peoople who are willing to pay the price.

That was one of the quotes that stuck in my head yesterday when I was on a conference call with Dr. Samuel Huddleston, the Assistant Superintendent of the North California and Nevada District of Assemblies of God. The topic of the month was "How to more effectively minister to African American youth."

You could tell that it was a subject matter that the predominately white youth pastors on the line wanted to discuss but never really had an opportunity to talk about out loud.

He began by making it clear that in some areas of the country you can't be diverse. If you live in a town that is predominately white, you might not be able to become racially diverse but maybe you should focus on being economically diverse ... you probably have some poor people. A couple other key points he hit on...

It's not about the color of skin but our sin.

If you're not doing well on diversity, take a look at your leadership team. What color/gender/etc. are they? Be HONEST when it comes to building your team. Tell them what you are trying to do. But personally, just be yourself ... don't try to conform to try and fit in. People, in particular kids, can tell a fake.

People will follow where the leaders lead. Be intentional about building relationships with people who are different than you.

Don't harp on race. But when racial issues pop their ugly head up, deal with them.

Once again, you have to be intentional. When you get serious, it becomes painful. It takes relationship.

He told a great story of about how two of the largest campus groups in the state were being run by woman, but the only woman on the leadership team that gave oversight for the state was taking notes. He asked "why?" When they didn't give a good enough explanation, he got the women's numbers and made it happen.

When dealing with racism, he gave a great idea on how to bring it up in such a way that people get it. Instead of just talking about a particular color of skin like black and white, he said have some kids share about negative experiences they have had being a man, woman, black, white, etc. Take it beyond race. After a couple of people share their story, ask the question "Now, what can we do about it?"

Give permission for people to tell you if you do something wrong or offend them. When we're honest and talk face to face then we can deal with it.

It's not about you ... you've been called to lead the parade, not be the parade.