Lead, Follow AND Get Out of the Way

By Nate Ransil
Assistant Director of Program Ministry
n.ransil@sandycove.org

That was the message delivered by Cam Garven to our all staff Community Gathering on a Thursday morning in February. Besides being on the Sandy Cove board of directors, and a frequent speaker at our CrossWalk and Family Fusion programs, Cam has been a pastor for many years and a leadership consultant.

Cam reminded us how important our values are, as they determine the behavior of the leader, as they take initiative to influence a group of people toward a purpose. When we see a person or an organization performing poorly often it is because their values are askew.

As indicated in the title, Cam suggested that one of the more important values we can embrace is humility. Whether we lead or follow, and most of us are called to do some of each, humility means that we recognize that it is not about us! “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, humility is about thinking of yourself less.”

As Christians we have the ultimate example of humility in the person of Christ, who valued servanthood over superiority, and told us that he did not come to earth to be served, but to serve others.