Responding to the Voice of One
“God-honoring, kingdom seeking, biblically rooted leadership has a scale too. All the complexities of leadership, the required competencies and character, the convictions and courage to act, and the needed charisma and compassion to accomplish what is needed for the common good of the people fulfilling God’s mission in the world, are built on five words: Listen, See, Learn, Do, Love.” [1]
In the book The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence by author, pastor, and former university president, Jules Glanzer creatively illustrates the complexities of the “Do-Re-Mi” leadership through the metaphor of music. [2] Glanzer delineates the tones that create the sound of leadership as listen, see, learn, do, and love. The author compares these to the chromatic scale in music, maintaining that these are the notes upon which God-honoring, kingdom-seeking, biblically rooted leadership is established. [3] Glanzer highlights the filters through which the leader listens and discerns the voices of stakeholders. These include mission, vision, values, resources, and the Voice of One.
I appreciated the author’s inquiry into the question: What is God up to in the world? As I read my heart seemed to pause and rest in the fact that God is up to BIG things. . . He is bringing deliverance. He is forming a community. He is helping me to know Him. He is giving me a quality life. It is humbling to recognize that one’s role in the realm of leadership is just a modest component of God’s greater purpose and plan. Sometimes the world and all of its complexities and conundrums feel heavy. Not a weight that I bear but a weight that was carried by the Voice of THE One.
Glanzer reminds us that “leaders must lead from a divine center with a heart in tune with the heart of God, forming a holy partnership that results in fulfilling the purposes of God on earth.” [4] At the end of chapter five, the kingdom takeaway question prompts readers to think of a time the reader was convinced that Voice of One had spoken and the reader listened to it. The prompt proceeds in having the reader relive the situation, reflecting on how the Voice of One had equipped and inspired the person to listen? [5] I took time to reflect on this question. It was a moment of worship for the Voice of One fulfilling His purposes in me. In the last two years, I have been on the ordination track. During the COVID closure, the voice of God, the movement of God along with shifts that were happening in my vocation offered time for reflection, prayer, and seeking His purpose for my life at this stage in life. Through coaching, mentorship, theological training, prayer, discernment, prayer (oops. . . can’t emphasize that enough), and various assessments, I completed steps in our denomination’s ordination track. Last week, I participated in an interview with the Ministerial Education and Guidance Board to complete the next step towards ordination. I have been recommended for ordination and will be ordained during our Annual Conference in the Spring of 2024. God’s purpose. . .God’s movement. . .God’s voice. . God’s timing. . .100% God’s provision.
Glanzer encourages leaders to “Know Thyself”, noting the differences in leadership styles between himself and his predecessors. He states, “Leading out of who we are is natural and does not require a set of goals or a personal plan. It just happens.” [6] This compliments Simon Walker’s message to leaders in his book Leading Out of Who You Are noting that a leaders front and back stage are a part of what they bring to the table of their leadership. [7] Every leader has their unique way of leading. Near the end of the book, Glanzer encourages leaders to engage in a personal case study to explore the influences that have shaped their lives and prepared the them for leadership. [8] Engaging in this activity could be ideal for a personal retreat or spread out over a period of time. This may result in many moments of worship and concerts of praise for the Voice of One who created me in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do. [9]
[1] Jules Glanzer, The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence (Jules Glanzer: 2023). 2.
[2] Ibid, xiii.
[3] Ibid, 7.
[4] Ibid, 33.
[5] Ibid, 33.
[6] Ibid, 47.
[7] Simon Walker, Leading Out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (Carlisle, UK: 2007).
[8] Jules Glanzer, The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence (Jules Glanzer: 2023). 101.
[9] Ephesians 2:10, (NIV).
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei brings more than 25 years of experience in teaching, leading and coaching. She currently is an Instructional Coach and loves to support individuals in discovering who God has made them to be, both professionally and personally. She has led a variety of professional development opportunities, trainings and workshops both in the fields of education and ministry. Cathy desires to support individuals in discovering the Creator's design and image within. Cathy and her husband, Steve, live in Michigan with their seven year old Springer, Otis. They have three adult daughters and two son-in-laws. Together, they enjoy the company of friends (both old and new) in their home, as well as cycling, camping, backpacking and hiking. They can be found hiking and enjoying the outdoors with Otis right alongside them.6 responses to “Responding to the Voice of One”
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Hi, Cathy,
Thank you for your post. Glazner’s book was a welcome read after the last few intense books. I am headed to a retreat this week so I was already planning to unpack some of Glazner’s chapter ending assignments. The personal case study you noted from Glazner will be one I unpack in my time with the Lord. Looking back to look forward.
Hi Cathy!
First of all, I want to congratulate you on the recommendation to be ordained that you got. To God be the glory!
I like your post! It is so enlightening! You mention, ” It is humbling to recognize that one’s role in the realm of leadership is just a modest component of God’s greater purpose and plan.”
I can’t agree more with your statement. Based on your ministry experience, what strategies we can develop to maintain that awareness as a leader?
Dinka,
Thank you for asking. The Holy Spirit reminds me of Whose I am, meaning Who I belong to, and helps to keep me rooted in God’s greater purpose. When I lose sight of that, I easily forget Who is in control and Who I ultimately live for. Being outdoors is another way I am reminded of my smallness amid God’s greatness.
Cathy, I was intrigued and inspired by the personal case study idea, too. As I consider taking it on myself during one of my next personal prayer retreats… were you at all drawn to working through that, too?
I was very interested in working through the personal case study. Praying that God will open my schedule for an opportunity like that soon.
Hey Cathy,
I’m really drawn to the way your post compares leadership to a scale. It brings a perspective, to the intricacies of being a leader. Using music as a metaphor for qualities like listening, observing, learning taking action and showing compassion is truly captivating. It’s amazing how these attributes can align with leadership that honors God and seeks to advance His kingdom based on principles, from the Bible.
Glanzers focus on centering leadership around a connection and cultivating a sacred partnership, with God resonates with me. Have you ever encountered a moment in your life where you were certain that you heard the guiding voice of a power and how did that experience impact the direction of your leadership journey?