Leadership, the AA Way

We cannot teach about the power in God's forgiveness if we haven't first subjected ourselves to its work. Do you have at least two people in your life who know where you are tempted to sin? Do you allow others to speak into your life and encourage you to pursue spiritual health? The result of such fearless soul-searching is a release of God's power to work in and through you in all areas of life, particularly as a leader.

The Humility Step

AA describes humility as "another great dividend we may expect from confiding our defects to another human being." A man in his sixties told me, "I'm just a selfish guy. By helping others in the program I keep myself sober." His gruff demeanor couldn't hide his sincere and humble heart. He had a clear understanding of who he was—a recovering alcoholic equipped to help, and be helped by, others on the journey.

As leaders, we should seek to understand who we are outside of Christ. Another mentor once said, "I thought about the trajectory my life would be on without Jesus working on my heart. I know I would be a self-obsessed person set on greed and ambition." When we understand who we really are, we appreciate our influence and power as leaders with humility. We are willing to allow God to control the outcomes of our sincere attempts as leaders. We want others to provide contribution and direction, because we don't base our self-worth on the results of our leadership.

Talking about our past ways and current "drunken" areas—however large or small they are—keeps us from stumbling in pride. 1 Timothy 1:16 reminds us, "God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners." Accepting grace requires understanding need. Reminding ourselves of our own brokenness and sin removes the "us and them" mentality that can creep into ministry leadership. It keeps us as desperate for Jesus as the people we desire to serve.

As in the AA way, we should seek clarity on who we are apart from Christ, and make sincere attempt to move toward who he wants us to be in him. As a leader, do you have a grasp on your strengths and weaknesses? Do you encourage others around you to recognize their strengths and accept their weaknesses?

The Devotion Quotient

AA members know that devotion is critical for success in recovery. Day or night, a recovery group is probably meeting near your home. "It only works if you work it" is the mantra of every AA meeting, and newbies are encouraged to attend meetings daily. In a particularly busy season of ministry, I found myself struggling to keep up with the demands of leadership, motherhood, and counseling. I met with a trusted mentor who gently asked me, "Are you more in love with your Creator—or his creation?" The tyranny of the ministry to-do list makes it easy to forget that I must hear from God in order to follow his direction. Above all else, my heart must be devoted to God—who he is as my father and Lord. As a leader, do you ruthlessly prioritize personal devotion? Do you spend time each day creating space for God?

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