Skip to main content

Leaders Lead…Even Without a Position of Leadership

By April 1, 2010June 6th, 2011Business, Church Planting, Leadership

I am fascinated by the story in 1 Samuel 23:1-5.

David saved a city, without any assigned position of leadership.  Sure, he had been anointed to be king, but he wasn’t yet “sworn in” to office.  He was a king in waiting.

It reminds me of an important principle about leaders.  Real leaders don’t need to have a position to make a difference.

David’s first leadership assignment was self-appointed, when he went after Goliath, because his people were too afraid to act.

Leaders lead because there is some cause worth leading, no one else is taking leadership, and they are willing to risk their personal comfort and reputation to see it through to completion.

What cause do you see that needs championing?  Has God called you to be a leader?  Do you feel the urge to lead?

Then start leading…That’s what leaders do…

Related Posts

Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

More posts by Ron Edmondson

Join the discussion 30 Comments

  • Ed Allred says:

    I am 73 and officially retired. However I minister to older adults and until God calls us Home we still have a ministry and mission.

  • scott says:

    Thanks Ron, you are deffently my favorite read everyday. Can’t wait until the next day. Your such an encouragement to me. Yourr blogs are so spot on.

  • Steph says:

    I needed that soo badly. Thank you and God bless you!!!

  • Joe Chavez says:

    Ron, your tweets and posts today are just what I needed. This post especially has helped remind me that if the Lord wills us to do something, that’s all the authority we need. Funny…my wife is always telling me this. God bless you brother!

    • ronedmondson says:

      Before I surrendered to the ministry my wife knew it long before I did….or at least before I would admit it. Thanks for the encouragement.

  • srivera says:

    Step 1: Inquired the Lord (it may be as simple as reading the Bible 🙂
    Step 2: Get approval
    Step 3: Act
    Results: Success!

  • kylajoyful says:

    Do it! And send me the podcast, I'd love to hear it!

  • ronedmondson says:

    Wow! What a huge story! I love that. Your comment may encourage me to preach from that passage some day!

  • kylajoyful says:

    Thanks for posting this. The last few weeks God has continued, over and over, to affirm what He is calling me to do and not be afraid to pursue it. Literally every day something comes up that encourages me to go forward. Perhaps because that's what I'm looking for, but I think not. Your post today is the only one I've commented on, because of the passage you used. I have never heard or read anyone using this passage as a teaching that I can remember. However, it is a passage that is really important to me – it's how I got my name. My parents were reading this passage when they decided to change the spelling of the city and name me Kyla. It's appropriate for this time in my life that I should read your post. Thank you. And…if you know anything about aftercare for rescued victims of human trafficking, let me know.

  • This may seem like an odd statement, but I sometimes believe it is easier to lead without a title… Maybe it is the reduced expectations of those following… It may also be that my ego is less likely to get in the way because I think of it more as a group of us working together to accomplish a goal.

    The Cause of Christ needs more champions and less spectators. Pick a place to join in. There is plenty to do.

  • I have never seen myself as a leader more of a loneer actuly, but have always had passions to make an inpact,the latest isn't really a passion in fact fighting it tooth & nail, but it seems like God is calling me to stand in the gap for those that feel they have no place in Gods family (transgendered, transsexule, intersexed, ext). to be honest I have wanted to reach the GLBT commuinity for about 6 years but now I am in the midsts of my own struggles I don't really want to take on the fight for others at the moment, but God dosent seem to be caring about my reluctince at the moment.

    • ronedmondson says:

      It seems to me that every time God called people to a task to help others…they were in the midst of their own struggles…doubts….fears…etc. Just saying….Thanks for you comment.

  • ronedmondson says:

    Good plan. You just wrote a post!

  • ronedmondson says:

    Good word Patricia! Thanks!

  • patriciazell says:

    Some "leadership" positions are never physically seen, but the results of them are. What we do in our prayer closets can "lead" the way to freedom for many people. None of us should ever feel like we're second-rate simply because we don't have titles. All of us who have come to Christ can put on the most important title of all–we are the sons of God. Thanks for the encouragement!

  • Lance says:

    I really needed to read that, thank you.

  • ronedmondson says:

    …and thank you!

  • Idaho says:

    Thank you.

  • Rocco Capra says:

    Ron, this is an excellent post! God has been walking with me through this 'message' the past few years. Teaching me to walk in His 'title' for me, and not worry about man's 'titles'.

    This is encouraging, and I hope we all will see what we are in God's eyes, and live in 'who' He says we are, with or without man's approval (title/position).

  • One of my causes is to help restore others to fulfill their purpose. I am doing this through writing and teaching. Great Post and great way to start the day.

  • Randi says:

    Thank you for this encouragement!