There Is Always More To The Story

"Leadership is lonely." No kidding. That sentiment has been repeated so many times, we don't know who to credit with the quote.

A few months ago I read an article in Newsweek magazine that helped illustrate the lesson. (You can read it here) The article described the the leadership of George H. Bush (W's daddy). He was often described as a wimpy leader. The article attempted to refute such an accusation. One example of H's wimpy leadership surrounded the falling of the the Berlin wall and the subsequent fall of communism in Eastern Europe and eventually the Soviet Union. When the wall fell, many thought that the President of the free world should lead the celebration with the first dance in the street. He should have given a long-distance pep talk to the wall-whackers and a harsh scolding to the communist leaders. But he seemed to do nothing. The resulting judgment of his leadership: wimpy.

The author explained, however, that according to many sources close to the President, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev had sent a message asking the United States, "not to take provocative action that might instigate a Tiananmen Square-like military crackdown in East Germany."  Gorbachev and other leaders realized that communism was falling, and they were allowing it to fall, but only naturally and without the intervention or provocation from other nations. President Bush complied with the request, remained quiet, and did nothing. That communication remains classified, even to this day.

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I might question whether or not such a message was ever sent. But I'm not, and that is not really the point of this writing, so I'll just go with it. Assuming it was true, it seems that the President took a hit, knowing that his actions might allow communism to fall, but at the expense of his perceived leadership.

I have learned at least this much about leadership: there is always more to the story than anyone knows. Every decision is always more complex that you or I think it is. It is only a simple issue when viewed from one perspective. Add a second or third perspective, and it immediately gets complex. Of course, most of us see life only from our perspective. The job of a leader is to see as many perspectives as possible and then make a decision, knowing that someone, if not everyone, will be disappointed.

As Americans who appreciate broad freedom, we don't like this "secretive" leadership.  "Why not just tell us the rest of the story or the other perspectives?" we ask demand. Well, for starters, we are often asked not to share one or more sides to the story. Sometimes the other perspectives involve deeply personal, private, and sensitive information that you wouldn't want me telling others and so they probably don't want me to tell you. So sometimes leaders are not allowed to share the "more" to the story. But don't fret- you will appreciate it when it is your "more" that is not shared.

So if you are struggling with the leadership of your pastor, your boss, your parent or your President, remember this- there is always more to the story than what you see or know.

Praying, Not Criticizing

The headline caught me, so I hovered over the newspaper stand at Wal-Mart, and read the first few lines of the article, while holding a replacement mum in each hand. First Family Church, in Overland Park is losing its 15 million dollar campus to foreclosure. Wow! Another mega-church bites the dust.

After planting my new mums, and doing a few other things, I grabbed my own newspaper and read the rest of the article. After a year of intense negotiations and refinancing rejections, the bank has requested that the property and everything in it be sold.

I am fairly familiar with First Family. I drive past it whenever I take the "back road" to Olathe. I attended one of their first launch services while I was in college. I sat on a blanket on their then-new property and listened to the testimony of a father of one of the Columbine victims. I listened to the frustration of two of my seminary friends who were re-starting a church in the area, grieving the loss of church members to First Family Church and another giant church nearby, churches that had "more to offer."

I have also heard the rumors of political upheaval and the accusations of financial mismanagement by the pastor at First Family. The newspaper article mentioned them, and noted the significant decrease in attendance.

It is easy to criticize from a distance. It is easy to become jealous, even for, no especially for, pastors. I disagree with Pastor Jerry in a lot of ways. Theologically, strategically, financially, etc. I am guessing some might say, "he got what was coming to him." Okay, maybe not out loud, but I am guessing that the thought has careened through the minds of not a few newspaper readers today.

But I am not going to criticize. I am guessing that Pastor Jerry and his team are hurting right now. He is my brother. He needs a hug and not a fist. So I am going to pray for Jerry and the church formerly known as "First Family." In fact, I am going to pray for them before I pray for my own church. Every day this week.

And if any of my brothers and sisters in Christ might read this, I ask you to do the same.