Unless you have been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you have heard about the Broadway phenomenon “Hamilton.” It’s a musical based on the life of U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton, performed in hip-hop and rap.
Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda said when he read the Hamilton biography by Ron Chernow he immediately thought, “This guy is a rapper!” The story of a poor, orphaned immigrant from the Caribbean who rose to be one of the most influential men in early American history, then died by gun violence, speaks to a modern American.
In one scene in the play, Hamilton tries to convince George Washington to give him his own command, telling the General that he is more than willing to die for the idea of America. Washington declines Hamilton’s request, telling him his skills will be best used for the new country with his intellect. Washington tells him, “Dying is easy. Leading is harder.”
Everything rises and falls on leadership. As a leader, I can affirm that busyness is no substitute for accomplishment and activity is no substitute for success. Having been a pastor for many years, I learned that a vast number of programs seven days a week is not what makes an effective church.
Growing and developing healthy disciples will be the best investment you can make to grow a healthy church. Let me repeat that: Growing and developing healthy disciples will be the best investment you can make to grow a healthy church.
Intentional discipleship must be the priority of every leadership team. We must be relentlessly focused on making and growing disciples. Leaders should have a clear understanding of their role in helping people grow and progress spiritually in their church and community context.
In this way, the role of leadership is transformed from a “fix our church” agenda to a “build the kingdom” agenda. Our focus moves from growing larger churches to growing a larger number of disciples.
Praying that you will lead well,
Rev. Junius B. Dotson
General Secretary
Discipleship Ministries
The United Methodist Church
Do you want to receive more messages like this? Click here to subscribe to the #SeeAllThePeople newsletter and start committing yourself to disciple making!