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Courageous Leaders, Bullies and Weasels

2. Treat those who work for them with respect.

Leaders not only take responsibility for themselves and the ministry around them, they also have a team of people that look up to them. Yes, those people are ready to follow and are looking for guidance, but they also should be able to trust their leader to be someone who cares about who they are and what they do.

A true leader looks out for the team just as much as the team looks out for the leader. (You might find my series on unhealthy Christian organizations helpful on this topic.)

If those around you do not know that they are valued as a part of the team, you are not a leader of courageous character.

3. Stand up to bullies.

As much as we may wish it wasn’t true, bullies do exist within the context of ministry. We will encounter them everywhere we turn. Bullying can be found in colleagues as well as in those around leaders in positions of authority.

This brings a layer of difficulty that may be unwelcome, but must be addressed nonetheless. Certainly, we have to learn how to display Christian grace and humility when challenged and persecuted. But leaders have a greater responsibility because they are responsible for others around them.

And when someone else is using coercion to abuse or intimidate others, true leaders respond with the courage to do what is right.

If your leadership is marked by seeing which way the wind is blowing, or running away from needed conflict, you are not a leader of courageous character.

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Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is the Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola Univeristy and Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor at Mariners Church. He has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is Regional Director for Lausanne North America, is the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. Dr. Stetzer is the host of "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast," and his national radio show, "Ed Stetzer Live," airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates.