Leadership is often described as influence. Several heavyweight leaders say these terms are interchangeable. I don't see it that way.
Yes, leaders can be quite influential in both good and bad ways, but this is not a given. I've seen people in leadership roles with little to no influence. The net effect of their leadership is nil.
On the other hand, I've known and witnessed influential leaders who've had great impact.
Leadership and influence
I ran across an excellent article on the difference between influence and leadership by Steve Graves. He makes a good case for the distinction between leadership and influence.
[bctt tweet="There is a distinction between leadership and influence" username="tkbeyond"]
Plenty of people have been good leaders with good influence, such as, Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightingale, and Billy Graham.
Leaders with evil influence? Sadly, it's not a short list, but men like Adolph Hitler come to mind.
Then there are many leaders who have a somewhat sketchy influence. A cursory look at political personalities could produce a lengthy list.
What about spiritual leaders where character and integrity are essential? Among them we can find good, bad, and even sketchy examples.
[bctt tweet="Spiritual leaders can have good, bad or sketchy influence in people's lives" username="tkbeyond"]
Another question
Last week, I answered the first of three questions I posed in a challenge in a previous post.
This week I want to look at the second question and give my personal answer. Here's the question—
Who is the most influential spiritual leader in your life, so far? Why?
Three leaders were influential in the early development of my spiritual life and theology.
Two are now with the Lord, but their leadership and influence are still embedded in my life. One is my age, alive, and still influencing others for good as a leader.
[bctt tweet="Who is the most influential spiritual leader in your life and in what way?" username="tkbeyond"]
My first pastor
I came to faith during the Jesus People Movement of the late '60's and early '70's. I mentioned some of this in last week's post.
Ironically, the church I was thrown out of for asking the wrong question is where I got grounded in the truth of God's Word. It's also where I began serving the Lord in full-time ministry under my first pastor, Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.
It was under him that I developed an appreciation for the grace of God and studying God's Word. Pastor Chuck was known for these two distinct things, not only in my life, but for thousands of others.
Both the grace of God and God's Word became foundational in my spiritual growth and my theology through his ministry. He was a living example of their importance and value, and a strong pastoral leader with great, enduring influence. Chuck went to be with His Lord in October of 2013.
[bctt tweet="God's grace and Word were foundational in my spiritual growth and theology" username="tkbeyond"]
A sage and a mentor
As my wife and I grew in our spiritual lives, we became more involved at the ground level of ministry while serving at a church and retreat center near Desert Hot Springs, CA.
When we arrived in 1973, it was a small church and retreat ministry in a sparsely settled area of the low desert of southern California. Susan and I learned so much about serving in every way imaginable.
Although it was remote, many significant spiritual leaders of the 1970's visited this little spiritual oasis. One of them was Rev PHP Gutteridge, known to us as "Percy". He was much older than us and also much wiser, a true sage.
Percy's teaching had spiritual depth and often centered on the cross of Christ, and the need for Christian believers to walk the way of the cross. Originally from England, he pastored this church in its infancy. In our time there, he visited on a regular basis, especially when we held large holiday retreats.
After I planted a church in 1978, he would come to preach to our little growing congregation in the upper desert area of Yucca Valley, CA. When he died in October of 1998, we were missionaries in the Philippines.
His life and ministry continue to influence us both to this day. Percy stirred my heart to further plumb the depths of the Scriptures and the essential simplicity of the way of the cross (Matt 16:24).
[bctt tweet="I was stirred to plumb the depths of the Scriptures and the way of the cross" username="tkbeyond"]
My friend and mentor
My involvement in ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa came at the invitation of a young man my age, but with much greater experience.
Bruce's wife, Joni, was pregnant and found it difficult to hold her guitar to lead praise for children's church. I and a couple others jumped in to help and this began a long term friendship in ministry.
Bruce opened the door for me to serve in many ways. When he and his young family moved out to the church and retreat ministry I mentioned earlier, we joined them and the ministry about a year later. We served their for five years, and it was of great value in so many ways.
Through Bruce's pastoral guidance, I learned how to preach, teach, counsel and lead as an assistant pastor. This was the foundation for my stepping out to plant a church and to develop a Bible College in the Philippines. It was practical, hands-on training.
[bctt tweet="I received practical, hands-on training that became a foundation for pastoral ministry" username="tkbeyond"]
But he was more than a pastoral mentor to me, he was a true friend. Bruce has a clear grasp on the immense, far-reaching love of God, which was infectious. His influence continues to reach around the world in a ministry he founded while pastoring in southern California—He Intends Victory.
Who for you?
So, now that you know who were important spiritual influences in my life and theology, how about you?
Who is the most influential spiritual leader in your life, so far?
And what is their influence in your life?