Credibility makes or breaks a leader

I was reading the Blackaby Spiritual Leadership devo, and today’s entry hits a nail on the head for me.  The devo is taken from Exodus 4:1

“Then Moses answered and said, ‘But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice . . .”    Exodus 4:1

The devo states that “Credibility is one of the greatest challenges for leaders.”  It continues to explore the idea that it doesn’t matter what you say or to where you might want to lead if no one will listen to you.  Awesome thought…. Ominous thought …. It is powerful when you stop and think about it.

These words will certainly ring true for a pastor.  Everyone expects their pastors to be credible, and they should.  But it doesn’t stop there.  It branches out to deacons….  Sunday School teachers and small group leaders … Mentors … Really, it touches ANYONE who is a person of influence.  And you do not have to hold an official office or title to be a person of influence.  In fact, most of the people who will read this (who follow Christ) fit in this category of “LEADER.”

I guess that is why I get so frustrated when I see men and women casting their pearls before swine, sacrificing their credibilities and reputations on the altars of social media and personal interaction.  Who are selling themselves out for a laugh or a like or an argument… In the past few weeks I have been reminded there are people who thrive on the opportunity to start a fight with others just for the sake and entertainment of fighting!!!!  I have seen others fall right into their snare, too.  It greatly frustrates me when I see leaders, people of influence, who say things that absolutely burn their credibilities in the eyes of others.  They might not realize it.  Or, they might not care.

But the last time I checked, we who follow Christ were put on this world to reach those who do not know Him.  Regardless of who they are, what they do, etc.

We, the church, need to protect our individual credibilities above all else.  Because, collectively, our credibilities compile and impact the credibility of THE CHURCH.

Don’t cast your pearls before swine.