Well, what makes a great steak? It is “a cut above the rest!” So, too, Barn leaders are the best of the best! Simply put, The Barn leaders have shown and exemplified characteristics and traits that meet the standards of the Barn.
So, what are these standards? I wanted to share some thoughts here. Some of these standards have been written down in our “Barn beliefs” and our “Seeds” on-boarding documents. Some of them are unwritten culture rules that we naturally convey and display. There are so many more to add, but here are my top ten thoughts regarding the leadership qualities all Barn leadership should share:
1. Barn leaders have the complete assurance of the reality of God’s presence. Leaders know that He is really with them and working through them. They are in a constant love-walk with Jesus, the groom. Barn leaders desire to bring Him glory by exemplifying His actions and His commands to love God with all their heart, strength and mind and to love others as themselves! They understand the vision/mission of The Barn and they work hard to bring it about in their everyday lives, at all service times and within all functions of The Barn! “They shall know us by our love for one another!”
2. Leaders of The Barn take on more responsibility and they give up rights! These individuals understand and accept the call of God on their life. It is easy to lay down rights when something could cause a brother or sister to be tempted or fall (ie drinking alcohol, etc). Barn leaders become all things to all people so that they might win some for God! They guard others’ pride by being the humble ones themselves until those who are weaker are strong enough to walk in complete victory!
3. Servant leaders: The Barn is huge on servant leadership. We are leading from the bottom; having a committed heart to love those at every level by embracing all chores and tasks in service. Servant leaders give in any area they are needed—nothing is beneath us! These leaders serve faithfully until God opens the doors to their next steps! This principle is ultimately the heart of humility. It is foundational to the leadership of The Barn!
4. Leaders of The Barn are not competitive or fearful that another may take their place when serving alongside them in a ministry (ie. hospitality, janitorial-even preaching and speaking). Leaders of The Barn understand the principles of growth and the concept of preparing for the future. Barn leaders know that there is always room for others to serve alongside them- it is the true “small group”. They embrace, help, teach and share the load with others, creating teams and empowering others to serve!!! They encourage growth and excellence on their ministry teams, helping to coordinate and connect from within the ministry to ensure that each member feels connected and part of the family!
5. Barn leaders understand and embrace The Barn Family priority plan! Leaders know that connecting with one another on a deeper level is what Christ commands of The Church. True family comes by investing in one another’s lives, being willing to get messy, surrounding one another in prayer, and supporting and forgiving each other as Christ has called. Leaders extend The Barn’s sense of family beyond mere service times and are invested in one another outside of the physical walls of The Barn and it’s services.
6. They understand the principle of “working themselves out of a job!” Our highest priority as leaders is to raise up others and replace ourselves so that we can be freed up to move on and grow in our calls. This is how we can grow, start new ministries and provide support to others who need it! Here is a great example: Imagine someone who is serving faithfully in hospitality or janitorial. This individual can see the janitorial team is growing to the point they are fully equipped and no longer in need of this person’s service. It’s awesome! This person has known that their true calling is not there, in janitorial- it is in the prophetic and prayer! The leaders over them have identified this call and conveyed they have been faithful in their tasks- they agree that God is leading this person to move into their true calling. This individual recognizes that God is calling them to make a move from janitorial to the prayer team - and because janitorial is being well covered, they make the transition. Despite the switch to a new team this individual never considers where they came from “off limits” and is always willing to dip back into janitorial when and if it is needed, always maintaining the servant’s heart!
7. Leaders of the Barn are generous and giving. They believe in and follow the revealed will of God in the principles of tithing and giving. They follow the lead of all F5 and give cheerfully—never begrudgingly. They are faithful and consistent to give their full tithe into the house which they call home (The Barn), to prosper the work being done within. Barn leaders also have a generous heart to give offerings over and above their tithe to ministry staff inside the barn or outside of the barn as God leads, to prosper the work of the Lord being done elsewhere as well. Note: offerings over and above the tithe can be as little as a penny or as high as one can afford - always as God has lead to give. We believe there is a special blessing upon any offering! They understand that you cannot out-give God!
8. Leaders show that they understand humility by admitting and embracing their need for personal growth and leadership development—no matter their age or position! These individuals lead by example. They understand that we never arrive and the journey requires constant adjustments— these really are adjustments of the heart!!!
9. Barn leaders serve well because they “own” what they are involved in. These individuals view their service “as unto the Lord!” They see the bigger picture and desire to help make every area great! These leaders see the duality of service: helping others and helping themselves. They lend a hand to their brothers and sisters wherever and whenever needed because ultimately it’s also helping themselves!! The weakest links are not competency or capacity-oriented, the weakest links are pride and arrogance!
10. Leaders of the Barn embrace the heart and culture of Excellence vs. Perfection. They are authentic and transparent. They embrace that we each are exactly who God made us to be. We are not perfect and we never will be. It is Christ alone who makes us good therefore we must never think more highly of ourselves than we should!! We never think less of others- especially those we lead! Barn leaders want to better themselves as an expression of love for God and our fellow man/woman. These individuals desire to serve well -not to be the best amongst their peers, beating out others in competition. No, we want to be the best for the good and love of God and others- in fact we applaud when someone else can do a job better than us!
Okay, here’s a bonus one for you (LOL):
11. We live by a Culture of Honor so that when someone fails we remind them of who they are instead of what they’ve done. And we avoid false humility, serving for the sake of “being seen”! Leaders of the Barn do not serve for pleasure of accolades- we serve out of our love for God and to bring Him honor and fame!! We do this by being His hands and feet both inside the house and outside! We always guard and check our hearts making sure we don’t let pride creep in to rob us of the blessings which true humility brings!
I pray that this list, though long, will sink deep in your hearts and resonate with what you feel Christ has called you to here at The Barn. I hold these principles dear to my heart and many of these ideas have been learned through my own years of service to the Church. I’ve made a TON of mistakes to get here and I’m sure many of you have wisdom that you can add to this list as well. We know that each of you, and therefore The Barn as a whole, will excel because of your humble, owner's hearts!!
Thank you for embracing your call!!
Shane, Kara and all of the five-fold team!