One Critical Piece of Experiencing Life to the Fullest
A hospitable leader creates environments of welcome that can effectively influence an ever-expanding diversity of people.
At the core of this practice are leaders who pay careful attention to the climate among their people: the physical, spiritual, emotional, attitudinal and communicative climates. Leaders have the chance to create atmospherics of welcome where people actually open their hearts and minds to our efforts to influence them—especially to the more and better and forever life Jesus promised.
In John 10, when Jesus contrasted good leaders/shepherds and bad leaders/shepherds, He revealed that He is the Good Shepherd who gives people "life in all its fullness" (v. 10, NCV) or "more and better life than they ever dreamed of" (v. 10, MSG).
Hospitable leaders invest in the dreams of their followers. They are not only concerned with the accomplishment of organizational mission, but also the fulfillment of the God-inspired dreams of the people they lead.
It's challenging to dream about a preferred future and to work to actualize those dreams when we are in an apparent existential struggle. But having a dream, believing in a dream, sacrificing for a dream, and actualizing a dream is part of what makes living worthwhile. So as we meet people's needs during this season we should not forget to meet this dream need.
We must continue to provoke people to envision dreams in line with God's dreams for His broken world. During this unprecedented time during the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps this is a good time for us to encourage the people we lead to pause and inquire of God: “What do you see for my future?”
In the context of that prayer we can employ practical tools like the Area of Destiny construct I offer in my book The Hospitable Leader. This is a practice I’ve used and seen change the lives of people at The Life Christian Church in West Orange and Paramus New Jersey, where I serve as Lead Pastor.
Area of Destiny is that God-destined place that exists at the intersection of our mission, passion and gifts.
Mission asks “what are God's dreams for His world?”
Passion asks “what do I love to do?”
Gifts asks “what gifts have I been given that empower me to make a unique contribution?”
It is imperative that we constantly remind people – especially during times of crisis – that “God has a plan for you and He hasn't changed His mind. He hasn't given up His dream for His world or for you. So don't you dare give up."
Hospitable leadership must include moving people to pray for their dreams – to plan for their dreams – to fight for their dreams – and to expect that their God-given dreams will come true.