(This post was originally posted on 2/27/19)
Management is not the same thing as leadership. How so?
Management is primarily focused on implementation while leadership is focused on inspiration.
Management is primarily focused on making today better than yesterday while leadership is focused on make the future better than today.
Management is primarily focused on how / what while leadership is focused on why.
Still not sure of the difference? Comparing Dell and Apple should help see the difference between management and leadership:
Dell is driven by what they do (make computers); Apple is driven by why.
Dell tends to avoid risks or innovation. They appear to be content with manufacturing computers, monitors, etc. and selling them to consumers. Apple, on the other hand, is continually seeking to innovate, inspire, and change the status quo (and that often means a drawerful of adapters and dongles for their customers!)
Management is not bad. Leaders need to manage well to be good leaders. However, people can be good managers and not be good leaders.
So, what’s the point?
God has called us pastors to be leaders and not just managers. Don't be content with just managing your church’s programs, calendar, and events. Lead your church. Lead in the decision making. Lead the men in your church to be godly husbands and fathers. Lead your congregation to embrace the sufficiency of Scripture. Inspire those around you to follow Christ.
As the Apostle Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). (Click here for a helpful article on this verse. Click here for another one. And…one more for good measure!)