A Great Start To Our Leadership Bootcamp

We’re now 5 sessions into our 12 month long ‘Leadership Bootcamp’ and what a great start it’s been. The bootcamp itself is designed to help folk who have an interest in leadership, to understand what it means to lead in a way that is biblical, fuelled and formed by the realities of the glorious gospel of Christ, and therefore be better equipped to be used by God in whatever sphere he calls them to: home, church, work, sport, neighbourhood, etc.

We have 15 folk in this cohort, 12 from Sovereign Grace Churches and 3 from outside of ourselves. Riley Spring, our Director of Church Development, recently caught up with a couple of them to see how they’re finding it…

Andrew Whitehouse

“I've really enjoyed and benefited from being involved in Sovereign Grace's Leadership Bootcamp this year. The first thing I noticed was the emphasis Sovereign Grace places on the character of leaders rather than their ability, or gifting. I'm grateful to know this is important for our church and look forward to growing in my own character, knowing of course that Christ is at work in me.

I also treasure the opportunity to gather and learn with a group of brothers and sisters in Christ. We have different backgrounds, from different generations and cultures, yet we are one in Him. Seeing how Jesus has brought us together and having the opportunity then to learn from one another really encourages me to push on with, and into, my journey with Jesus. (Which really, I see as our journey because of the unity we share in Him)”

Baree Tripodi

“In the first month, we went through a book called Humility - True Greatness by CJ Mahaney and discussed the topic of humility. I think I have always thought of myself as a humble person in that I don’t outwardly brag about my successes, if people compliment me I usually thank them and divert the conversation to something or someone else so as to not look proud. This is why this topic stood out to me so much, because I quickly realised I wasn’t humble much at all. Through reading the book and discussing true humility with the leadership bootcamp group, I quickly realised although I wasn’t outwardly “arrogant”, a lot of my lack of humility was concealed within me and my own mind.

Mahaney defined humility as “honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness”. I was quickly rebuked by this as God revealed to me many ways which I responded to my lack of holiness or sinfulness. In moments of sinfulness, I was (and still am, it’s something I will continually need work and prayer on) quick to put up a defensive barrier and blame other things, people or situations for the reason why I was acting in a certain way. I have always struggled to apologise, through my own stubbornness, and through reflecting on this topic of holiness, it taught me both the great importance of this new definition of holiness (new to me anyway), and the sense of peace that the only judgement or comparison we should be making is between ourselves and God’s holiness.

Although I don’t hold any worldly leadership positions in my life, reflecting on humility within my role as a Christian leader to my non-Christian work colleagues and friends, has highlighted and reminded me of the importance of being a light when interacting with them. For example, in moments when I am caught in a conversation of people gossiping or speaking poorly of another person, I am quicker to question whether my engagement in this conversation is in line with God’s holiness. This reflection then helps me to either refrain from engaging or speak up against the sinful conversation. Through true humility as defined by Mahaney, I can more accurately reflect on my actions in light of God’s holiness, and strive harder and more successfully in becoming more and more like Him.”

So far, so good… But please keep praying for everyone involved in this bootcamp. May His grace be with us, and may the fruit bring much praise to His name.