Humility in Community
The denominational pastors on the east side of the state were gathered for a one-day meeting intended to strengthen relationships and encourage their ministries. While listening to the stories from pastors about how God was moving in their local churches my first impulse was sadness that I had left my church community of over 20 years. Very quickly, that feeling was replaced with joy. As I looked around at my sisters and brothers in Christ and rejoiced with them, I saw that although community looked different, I was not alone. My heart swelled as I intentionally received the gift of new community laid out before me. I might not have a congregation to shepherd, but I still had the body of Christ and other leaders to love and to hold me accountable to my call.
Paul David Tripp is a pastor and author of dozens of books on Christian living. He produces content on multiple platforms to help people connect with the power of the gospel. His book Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church is intended to address the crisis of pastoral failure. Tripp contends that behind every pastoral failure is a failed leadership community and that the greater crisis is a leadership crisis.[1] The solution for the leadership crisis, according to Tripp, is to be part of a leadership community formed by gospel values. He briefly describes the six core values as humility, dependency, prepared spontaneity, inspection, protection, and restoration. The book then incorporates these six values into the 12 chapters, each focused on a particular principle.
The inter-related values of humility, dependency, and inspection (inviting others to look into our lives for the purpose of watching for our souls) resonated most with me as characteristics which did not come naturally and which are valuable for any leader, Christian or otherwise.[2] This blog will focus on the required humility to both lead and serve and how it intersects with allowing others to see us as we truly are.
To be truly successful, in ministry (or other vocation) is not to accomplish big things on one’s own, but to develop the people one leads. In ministry, that means leading them to a more mature faith, a deeper relationship with Jesus.[3] Being able to model confession of personal weakness and dependence on Christ will allow others to feel safe taking their own steps in spiritual maturity through confession and repentance when needed, knowing they will be supported in a community of grace.[4] True humility recognizes that the leader is stronger in the community of others, and that personal weakness is one of God’s tools to accomplish God’s purposes.[5]
One aspect of being a humble leader that Tripp highlights is admitting one’s own weakness to provide safety for others to do the same.[6] Simon Walker describes this as letting go of constantly managing the way that other people see us.[7] As I have written before, this has been a deeply challenging practice. I have been weak at saying I am weak! Coming in to new community and embracing it at once shows me that hard-won lessons have been learned.
Tripp warns against an achievement mentality which can accompany a lack of humility. The life of the church can reflect secular commodification when overfocus on one’s own achievements fosters a marketplace type of culture.[8] Constant pressure to ‘win’ at sales prior to ministry left me very vulnerable to an orientation toward achievement (church growth, finishing projects, etc) over serving. There is a risk toward viewing disciples as consumers thereby reducing the very people we are called to serve as mere commodities within the life of the church. Does this person take too much time? Do they contribute enough of another commodity (money or labor) to be valuable? Tripp cautions that church leadership is to be in the “people-building business” and that any other measure is both dangerous and unbiblical.[9] As an aside, when will the church do better at celebrating transformation to Christ-likeness over attendance and giving?
Tripp’s definition of humility as loving to serve more than you crave leading perfectly describes the upside-down kingdom of Jesus and provides a simple litmus test for motivation when faced with leadership opportunity of any kind. Sometimes I have said ‘yes’ for the wrong reasons. Now it is up to me to present my heart to my new community and ask them to inspect my motives about ‘next things.’
[1] Paul David Tripp, Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church (Wheaton IL: Crossway, 2020), 17.
[2] Tripp, Lead, 26. The term ‘inspection’ for this practice was new, but the concept is a familiar one which took root in my life early in addiction recovery.
[3] Tripp, Lead, 43.
[4] Tripp, Lead, 204.
[5] Tripp, Lead, 42.
[6] Tripp, Lead, 161.
[7] Simon Walker, Leading Out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (Carlisle, UK, 2007) 54.
[8] Jason Clark. Evangelicalism and Capitalism), 201.
[9] Tripp, Lead, 43.
About the Author
Julie O'Hara
12 responses to “Humility in Community”
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Julie, thanks for reflecting on the different tiers of leadership in your own story, from congregational to denominational. Great post.
Tripp’s work seems to target the need for leadership that is lacking within a lot of the independent, CEO-driven, and Pastor-as-the-brand style churches. But for you, learning to discover and apply these principles in your new constellation of leaders at a broader level and beyond your immediate context, are there factors specific to this “trans-congregational” leadership culture that uniquely impact humility, dependence and inspection?
Hi Joel, This is such a good question. To authentically engage these attributes requires a sincere and intentional effort because I primarily interact with people who are also leading in a sort of nomadic way. I made an effort to model these characteristics during the celebrations and follow-up notes after a recent large-scale event. Even as I deflected, platformed other people, and gave glory to God, I also recognized an ugly craving in my own soul. It was such a public event and I wanted to hear, “Julie, YOU did it.” Reflecting back, the practice of continuously and carefully avoiding taking credit towards myself has grown my humility muscle. Can that be said without pride? Is there something like neuroplasticity for the soul?
Good morning, Julie. Thank you for post. I would like to ask, if you can an example of ‘achievement mentality’ which could accompany lack of humility?
Hi Noel, Thank you for you question. The little story in my reply to Joel is an example. In general terms, I believe it looks like taking the credit to oneself for results or accomplishments without regard to the team, the Lord, or even unseen help. So many things we do as leaders are the result of efforts made by previous generations who have set the foundation – it is also good to honor them.
Hi Julie I enjoyed your reflection and this book seemed so spot on. Reflecting on your statement, “when will the church do better at celebrating transformation to Christ-likeness over attendance and giving?” This hit home as the mode de operandi of many churches. From your perspectives how can we do this better?
Hi Daren, It sure seems there is a correlation between ‘more money’ and ‘bigger’ and adoption of market values. The simple act of celebrating the transformational work of Jesus might be helpful – that can happen in the local church. And then, organizationally, we can platform the pastors in whose churches that is happening. But then it gets sticky doesn’t it? We are again showcasing achievement – so I guess a great deal of sensitivity to what the LORD has done is needed. Seems like there will always be tension.
Hi Julie, Thank you for highlighting Paul Tripp’s “Lead.” I always enjoy his thoughts and your thoughts. As I read through the comments, your response to Joel caught my attention, and the ugly craving of, “Julie, YOU did it!” I have found leaders are often under-affirmed in the work they do. What do you think a healthy balance of affirmation of a leader might look like? Without feeding an ego? Thank you for your vulnerability in this post and for sharing the areas that challenge you and where you have grown.
Hi Elysse, I recall reading somewhere that recognition for one’s work is more important than pay increase in order to retain good staff, so I know it is important. Perhaps healthy leadership affirmation can look like giving very specific feedback which is more meaningful anyway. Calling out what particularly a team member did and how that contribution impacted a project overall can be helpful, particularly if done alongside the contributions of many.
Hi Julie, thanks for your great post. Living in an achievement culture, how do you protect against the commodification of people?
Hi Christy, Tripp makes the point that in ministry our primary responsibility is the development (discipleship) of people. The spiritual growth of the people we serve is our ‘product’. I believe this is also inherent in transformational leadership – helping each person become their best. I have heard too many comments, meant to be funny, about how ministry would be great except for the people. Is it too simple to say that love is the answer?
Julie, thank you for your post. In your look at Paul David Tripp’s principles, particularly his emphasis on humility and community in leadership, how can leaders effectively create a culture that prioritizes transformation and spiritual maturity instead of focusing on metrics like attendance and financial contributions? Additionally, I have been considering the role of vulnerability in a leader’s life. What practical steps do you identify leaders can take to model vulnerability and encourage their communities to engage in honest conversations about their weaknesses, fostering a safe environment for growth and accountability?
Hi Chad, In Christian settings (church staff meetings, etc) time devoted to formation is a start. How resources are spent signals what is most important, using meeting time for spiritual formation in community is powerful commentary. This also provides opportunity to share spiritual practices with which folks may not be familiar: lectio divina etc.
I am particularly terrible at vulnerability, so that is difficult to answer, but when I trust people, then it is easier to open up. Shared experiences and time helps build trust, so I do go back to the early part of this response with the suggestion of community spiritual formation. That might be a place for the ‘leader to go first’ in being vulnerable about prayer needs, etc.