James Duff May 15th 2016 ~ Leadership

The eight- week marathon election campaign has begun. Some people absolutely love this season of politics.  I remember as a young boy sitting up with mum and dad with cups of tea and biscuits as a special treat to watch the 1983 election. That might sound like a very boring childhood memory but I loved it and continue to take a keen interest today. My son Will is absolutely fascinated by politics and everyday keeps me up to date with what is happening politically in Australia, as well as the crazy race to the White House in the US. The polls would have us believe that the Australian election will be close; I’m not so sure. I don’t envy whoever will lead our country as the Prime Minister.  Leadership is never easy and leading a country such as Australia is an extremely complicated role.Just this week I stood down as president of the Bicton Junior Cricket Club, a leadership role I have filled for the past two seasons. This season the club grew to become one of the largest in the state. A few problems have become apparent within the structure of the club due to growing pains. They are complicated and will take much thought and collaboration to solve. I don’t have the capacity, energy or time to devote to the club to see it through its next phase.I have been reminded this week that leadership is not just for the chosen few. The reminder got me thinking about all the ways I play the role of a leader, some of them really small.  Nearly everyone stands in the role of a leader in some context or other but we often miss recognising this truth. As Christians, we can think of ourselves as adherents of a religion but that is not what Jesus called us to be. He called us to be His disciples and one vital part of being a disciple is leading others to become disciples.A simple and small way to lead someone in discipleship is to ask how he or she is and how God is working in their life. Maybe as you sip your tea this week after the service, the first topic you might talk about with a friend won’t be a lament over Fremantle’s latest loss but a question about what God is up to in their life. We all like to be heard and to have someone caring about our Christian walk can be a wonderful encouragement and support. All of us who call upon Jesus as Lord and Saviour are chosen for such servant leadership.BlessingsJames