Congregational leaders carry a huge burden. They’re expected to motivate others when they don’t feel motivated. They’re expected to lead the charge even when they feel uncertain. We look to our leaders for inspiration.
When someone inspires us, we can almost feel the constraints, excuses and limitations melt away. Our focus sharpens. Our resolve deepens. The goal in front of us feels attainable and the obstacles less daunting. We can be inspired by great novels, epic movies and moving speeches. Nature inspires us, and so does beautiful music. Knowing how to inspire people is one of the many attributes that leaders are expected to have, but what does it really mean to be an inspirational leader?
The word inspire comes from a Latin root, spirare, which means “to breathe.” The act of breathing sits at the center of the biblical story. In Genesis, God breathes life into the dust. The Spirit (or breath of God) moves over the waters. Ezekiel stands in the valley of dry bones while breath returns life to what was dead.
Before inspiration was a leadership quality, it was a divine act. When we open ourselves to the Spirit of God, our leadership can breathe fresh wind into communities, even those that are exhausted by denominational issues, economic uncertainty and political volatility.
Inspiring leaders learn how to stay rooted in authentic values and express what they are deeply passionate about. They demonstrate resilience, integrity and generosity in the ways they share their time with others. Inspirational leaders aren’t born this way. As Adam D. Galinsky states in a Harvard Business Review article, inspirational leaders flourish when they help people meet essential human needs, find meaning and purpose, connect with their passions, and offer genuine belonging. As you prepare for your next meeting, retreat or sermon, how will you show up and inspire others?
Resources
A nonprofit focused on young people’s success has built a championship soccer program
Partnering with local churches, the reVision Football Club in Houston has made high-quality soccer training available to players from marginalized neighborhoods. More than 40 have gone on to compete in college.
By Lindsay Peyton
Why storytelling is a spiritual practice
Telling stories isn’t just about consuming them; it begins with reverence and listening, says a professional storyteller.
By Elizabeth Le’anani Coffee
Catalytic organizations inspire
The executive director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity writes about the significance of ministries that renew neighborhoods and congregations and how such catalysts inspire him to live more faithfully.
By David L. Odom
Listening to people and investing in them as an act of radical service
Married pastors have transformed a vacant strip mall into a community development hub and base for needed services in a St. Louis suburb.
By Valerie Schremp Hahn
Before you go
If you search the internet for images of inspirational leaders, you will find pictures of well-dressed professionals, celebrities and grassroots heroes who are leading transformational efforts in their communities. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a billionaire or to stop global warming to be an inspirational leader. The key attributes of inspirational leadership are accessible to all of us. At a basic level, inspiration starts with deep listening to what people have to say and partnering with them to imagine a better future. As we struggle with so many hard things in the world today, I challenge all of us to help our people imagine a better future. The book of James reminds us that faith without works is dead (2:17). But if we can inspire people to imagine something different, and we continue to breathe with God, perhaps we can take a few more steps in the right direction.
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince R. Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity