Marcy nods and begins, “As staff members and other leaders in the church ministries we need to be watching the road ahead in order to make needed adjustments before it’s too late. If we’re in the middle of Vacation Bible School and we know there is a big storm coming our way, we need to make adjustments, move inside. Likewise, if we have an event planned, yet our registration is low, we need to make adjustments. Too often I think when we see something like that we just back off, start cutting corners.”

Greg inquisitively interrupts Marcy and asks, “What do you mean? What kind of corner cutting takes place?”

Susan picks up the conversation, “We start cutting our food order.” Marcy jumps right back in, “And we cut the staffing for nursery. Things like that, always cutting back…”

Roger, with a quizzical look jumps in. “What’s wrong with that? I think that’s good. That’s being frugal. It’s good stewardship.”

“Is it?” questions Marcy. Then she expounds on her thoughts. “The first thing we do is start cutting back, when we should be praying. And before we pray asking God to bring us more people, we need to pray asking God’s forgiveness. Asking Him to show us where we have fallen or more likely where we have jumped ahead of Him, trying to do it our way. I just think we don’t give God the opportunity to work in maybe the final hours to produce that miracle.” Marcy pauses looking at Greg then over to Susan, hesitant to look at the others in the room, perhaps in fear that she may have offended them.

To her surprise Joe speaks first. “That’s pretty hard hitting Marcy. But you are exactly right. We say we love God and He has the power to do wonderful things even miracles, yet we do not give Him the opportunity. I’m guilty Marcy. Thank you for showing me that, or allowing God to speak through you to show me.”

Andy is chomping at the bit to get in the conversation. “Wow, Marcy, you are right. As you were speaking the Holy Spirit convicted me of doing that very thing two weeks ago when I cancelled the youth trip for this coming Saturday because of lack of participation. I didn’t give God a chance to work in any of those kids lives.” Silence pervades as conviction takes hold of hearts in the room.

After about fifteen seconds Greg states, “I think this would be a good time to stop and pray. I’ll lead…” Pastor Tim interrupts, “No, Greg I appreciate that, but I’ll lead in the prayer. I have allowed this to happen on my watch as Pastor. I am responsible…”Marcy tries to interrupt wanting to take the burden off Tim, but he refuses to yield the floor. Holding out his hand as to stop traffic, he says, “No Marcy, God convicted me too just then. He used you to convict us and we need to repent and ask for His guidance. Let’s pray.”

As everyone bows Pastor Tim and Andy both slip out of their chair and bow on their knees. Before Pastor Tim begins his prayer Joe joins them on his knees as well. Tim’s prayer:

“God Almighty, You are so powerful and righteous. We are so fallible and feeble. You have made known to us this hour of one of our acts of unrighteousness. Forgive us Lord as we look to you now with humble hearts and teary eyes. We have tried to do something in our own power thinking it would please you. On more than one occasion we have run ahead of you. Help us each one to learn from this today, to trust you more fully in everything. Not to cut until you say to cut. Not to back off until you say to back off. But instead to seek you and trust you that in all things you have the power to overcome what we see as stopping points. When in reality they may very well be your proving points. Forgive me for as Your leader, Your undershepherd, I have…”

Tim continues in his prayer. When He finishes and says Amen, he is ready to rise from his knees, but immediately from across the room Andy’s voice begins praying aloud. When Andy finishes, Joe voices a similar prayer of repentance and asking for guidance. The prayer then moves around the table. Every person in the room voices a similar prayer.

Greg closes the prayer time thanking God for His wonderful work in the moment. As the prayer time ends, some are weeping. Pastor Tim steps over to Marcy gives her a hug and thanks her for her obedience in sharing with the group. Then unexpectedly, he makes his way around the room hugging everyone individually, thanking them and asking for their forgiveness.

We all have areas of vulnerability. Successful leaders understand that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness as some would assume. Many leaders want to hide their vulnerabilities, living behind a facade. Researcher and author Brene Brown says, “Vulnerability is actually the courage to show up and be seen.” She goes on to say, “Vulnerability is the absolute heartbeat of innovation and creativity. There can be zero innovation without vulnerability.”[i] Great and successful leaders understand that revealing their vulnerabilities can bring out the strengths and creative genius in others. Revealing vulnerabilities as a leader also demonstrates you are human and will allow team members not to try to live above their own abilities and vulnerabilities. However, team members will be encouraged to reach to their potential skill and abilities.

If allowing Himself to be arrested, severely beaten, and hung on a cross isn’t demonstrating vulnerability, then our dictionaries have the wrong definition. God Himself through Jesus Christ demonstrated the ultimate vulnerability so you and I can have life eternal. Learn and practice vulnerability in your leadership circles.

This article is an excerpt from Turnaround Journey, chapter nine. Learn more and purchase your copy at soncare.net.

[i] From article at Forbes.com, The Best Leaders are Vulnerable, July 18, 2013