I'll be straightforward for once. Or rather, for a few times... Or maybe, this is one of the many times... BAH! I AM going to be straightforward! HAHA!

Well nothing to be angry about, or no one to flame at, but I just want to tell you how stressed out and tough it is to be a leader. I have never felt this way for very long. I have never expected myself to face so many problems. I have never thought that it'll be this hard. Maybe, it was easier when the CG was small, but now, I can't deny that we're no longer small and new any more. :)

I used to think that the most important thing as a leader that most lack, or even as a strong and on-fire christian, is favour with men. Many do not have, but those who do go far in their walk with God, especially in the area of their leadership. Yes, everything rises and falls on leadership, but it seemed like the foundation of that leadership was mostly authority rather than influence.

Leadership IS influence, NOT authority, and as I grew as a new leader (again), I always kept that in my heart, and determined that I shall always lead people by my influence more than my authority. That's what my pastors do. That's why in Heart of God church, there's true freedom, and we never go further than education and empowerment. That's why I love my pastors, and I knew that's the same kind of favour I need among people in order to be influential.

However, I realised it's more than just favour that we need as we grow as christian leaders.

1) More than just favour, we need RESPECT.

"We cannot please everyone. Therefore I don't want everybody to like me, but rather I want everybody to respect me." These were the powerful words of my pastor when he talked about how we should please God and serve man, not the other way round.

Respect, and nothing less. I hate it when people are disrespected; I hate it when I see someone seen lesser than they should be seen in any way. I don't care who you are, but I am who I am too, and you'd better not push me around. That's the kind of convictions and character that we need to have. I AM WHO I AM. When you're confident and secure in who you are, people will respect you even if they don't like you. Insecurity may get people's attention and even their favour, but it never makes you respectable in the end.

2) More than just favour, we need TRUST.

A great leader once said that relationships are built on trust. How true is that! No relationship can last without trust, whether is it with family, friends, or even your spouse. If you won't trust me, I won't know you. I can never have any kind of relationship with you, or needless to say, even influence you.

There are people who trust too easily, and many say it's bad thing. Well, I'm one of those people, and I don't see it that way. I'd rather trust and believe in people who may not be that trustworthy, and letting myself be vulnerable to feeling hurt or disappointed, than never giving people a chance. I always believe in the people in E8, because I see each and every one of their potential, and I know God has a great plan for every individual life. That's where my trust comes from. It is trust that releases faith in someone, knowing that he or she is being believed in and supported. It is trust that my pastors and leaders had with me, that brought me to where I am today. It is trust from people, that probably you are where you are today. Trust God, trust pastors, your leaders, your CG, and damn it, believe in them like how they do in you!

3) More than just favour, we need SUPPORT.

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17)

Let your leaders lead you with joy, and not with grief. I am always very touched when my leaders tell me that I'm a joy to lead, very much because of my revelation of this verse. Yes, share the burden of your leaders and support them, and not be the burden. One thing I never want to be to my pastors and leaders right now is a burden to them.

As we experience this season in life, and grow to a new level in God, change is necessary. Personally for me, I used to think favour is important. However, it's not as important whether you like me now, as it is to whether you respect, trust and even want to support me as your leader. E8, we are growing, we are moving on, and we are breaking through to greater heights in God. I NEED people who can not only respect me, believe in me or even share the burden with me, but also do the same for my pastors and leaders, because ultimately, I'm doing it for them. I respect them, I trust them, and I'd always want to be there to serve and support them.

It's tough being a leader, but this is the reason why I hold on. This is the reason why my goal for the next 60 days is to live a lifestyle of discipline and productivity. Leadership has grown me, and I will always take this path, but I can never do this alone. Pastors could never run a church of over a thousand people alone, and they needed a few hundred leaders.

We NEED your respect, your trust and your support, and I just pray and hope that people in the CG will be willing to make sacrifices and commitments the same way my pastors and leaders did to build this great church. Arise and build, because the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few... (Matthew 9:37)

It's about others.