Are you a Boss or a Leader?

Sometime ago I run into an aticle that posed the question which gives the title to this entry. It was an article in the business section of a newspaper. All of us, even if we are not in a position of authority in the bussiness world, should think in that question. All of us have authority to one degree or another. At home, school, work, etc.

In the pages of the Bible we find the result of approaching the authority we may have from the stand point of a boss or a leader. One bitter and the other sweet.

Rehoboam was asking advice on how to rule, exercise authority over Israel. The two approaches were presented to him. Being a leader--if you are a servant, if you serve them well, if you speak good words to them, they will serve you forever. The result, unity and peace.

The other approach was also presented. Being the boss--show your authority, threaten, make them fear. "I will add to your yoke", "I will chastise you with scorpions". the result, fight and division.

A true leader serves, loves, shows with his example, answers patienly to questions about his decisions and actions.

A boss threatens, orders, doesn't feel he has to explain himself. Never wants his actions to be questioned and loves to be surrounded by "yes sir" men.

An old frriend of mine summed up these approaches 15 years ago when I was ordained to the ministry of Jesus Christ. He told me: "...There are two ways for people to follow your lead. Out of love or out of fear. If they follow you out of love is because you are loving them and they will never want to be far away from you. If they follow your lead out of fear, as soon as they can, they will run away from you".

Just thinking...