Family gatherings can be a great occasion to celebrate, connect, and enjoy the company of loved ones you don’t see regularly. Tables covered in great, home cooked food, lawn bowling and board games, different generations mingling in conversation; gatherings can be a rich time to…
Several years ago, during a worship service, I heard a retired man stand to tell his congregation how God had healed him from cancer. The man’s prognosis for recovery had been dismal. Alone in his hospital bed one night, he felt completely overwhelmed. In response, he spent the entire night repeating the name…
After two very successful equipping events, we are now planning module three of the Church Unity Project, Group Facilitation Skills. This training event will take place Friday October 3 (7-9pm) and Saturday, October 4, 2014 (9am-4pm) in Winnipeg. Brian Strom (Director, Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution in…
I recently had the privilege of attending Gathering 2014, The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches semi-annual general meetings in Vancouver, BC. The following diary is from the perspective of a first-time attendee. It also provides a point of view of someone who is not a member of an…
In the late 1970s I was inspired by Keith Green’s song “Make my life a prayer to you / I wanna do what you want me to / no empty words and no white lies / no token prayers, no compromise” (as sung by Matthew Ward of the…
Have you ever started doing something that was against your better judgement but you kept going, somehow hoping that things would turn around eventually but instead you hit a cliff? I’m afraid of heights and at 1.92 I find my head is already far enough…
Tuesday evening, my wife and I were delighted when one of our sons stopped by our house. He was returning our pickup after borrowing it for some errands. We invited him to sit and visit awhile. We talked about work, families, studies—the regular things of our lives. We were delighted that he showed up.
Recently I was asked to describe my favourite leadership book. Thinking in the moment, this question should have been a very difficult question to answer. I have been influenced by great publications on the subject by both secular and Christian authors. There are many great…
What’s involved in the shaping process of a disciple? Perhaps it’s a sign of aging but I really enjoy watching the show “How it’s made (HIM)” a simple and yet informative reverse engineering show. The half-hour show usually provides the historical background of at least…
If you are anything like me, you probably have a shelf in your personal library reserved for books on leadership. Most authors and experts in the area of leadership will advise us that a good leader leads by exerting influence. The clear call from most…
If you are anything like me, you probably have a shelf in your personal library reserved for books on leadership. Most authors and experts in the area of leadership will advise us that a good leader leads by exerting influence. The clear call from most articles and books is for a strong, upfront leader blazing a trail. We admire and at times idealize those “out in front” leaders who are creating a brave new world for us to follow. There is, however, an important part of leadership that is seldom talked about: mentorship. The ability to take a second role, so someone else can learn to lead, is paramount to great leadership. Good leaders know how to lead from behind.
In 2000 I was part of planting a new church in the city of Winnipeg. At that time my father who had pastored large churches in our native Brazil had just returned to Canada. I told him of plans to plant a new church and asked him to take the lead in that endeavour. His reply to my request changed my understanding of good leadership. He simply said, “You lead… I will help.” And for the next ten years that is exactly what he did. My father’s expertise, wisdom, and support help me develop and grow.
Paul is a good example of an “out in front” leader who knew the importance of leading from the back. In his ministry life he took time to mentor others, giving them the opportunity to lead. One of his mentees is motivated to continue on the tradition. Here is what he says to Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2. What Paul is instructing Timothy to do is: learn, then teach teachable people who will teach teachable people. There are several pivotal consequences of good mentorship. They are:
So the next time you feel led to blaze a new trail, why not give someone else a machete and invite him or her along with you. Great leaders, able to leave a lasting legacy, are leaders who know the importance of “leading from the back”.
“Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.” ― Nelson Mandela
“Leading from the front requires the leader to lay out the steps from A to Z and delegate in order to accomplish each step in the right order. Leadership from behind requires the leader to firmly understand and communicate Z (the end goal).” – The Social organization
Elton DaSilva
Executive Director
