Jesus Style Leadership 4 - Sent & TeamSýnishorn

Dealing with External Challenges

Leadership Lesson

No matter how strong the team is, a Jesus-style team leader will have to guide the team through challenges.

Read Nehemiah 4:1-6

Comment

Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, the region just north of Jerusalem. The arrival of Nehemiah with the backing of the Persian emperor was a threat to his power. He was not pleased with the rebuilding venture and the possible resurgence of Jewish control and political power. Tobiah, his Ammonite/Jewish ally, was probably also a governor in the region. Their taunts played on the fears of the Israelites – that they would never be able to rebuild the walls. It all seemed so impossible. When you lead a team, you will face times like this. Everything seems to be falling apart and your faith visions feel like impossible dreams. The team will experience the pressure, but the leader usually feels it most. This is when Jesus-style team leaders must be strong. Nehemiah did two things: he turned to God (4:4) and he kept the team working “with all their heart” (4:6). I’m sure he too was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and the strength of the opposition (later they threatened to attack the builders), but he kept going because he knew he had been called by God and he knew that the team needed to see his faith. Your team really needs its leader when the going gets tough.

Prayer

I enjoy leading my team when everything is going well and the team members are positive and productive. I’m not so confident when we’re under pressure. You will need to give me strength Lord. I know that my best work as a team leader will be done when things are tough for the team, so help me to be courageous and faith-filled, as I hold tightly to your promises.

Personal Reflection

What can team leaders do when the team is discouraged because things are not going well? How can they keep the team working “with all their heart”?