A Leader Is Flexible – Rigidity Is Costly!

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

1 Corinthians 9:22
Have you thought of how important flexibility is to the art of leadership? To be flexible is to be susceptible to modification. When you say someone is flexible it means he is able to change and adapt easily to new conditions and circumstances. A leader needs to be able to do this!

Notice Paul's flexibility! He became weak and acted like a weak person so that he could save people who were weak in faith. He became all things to all men so that he could minister the gospel. How come you are so stiff, unchangeable and rigid?

Be flexible because rigidity is costly and very dangerous. Rigidity is defined as being hardened in a bad way. As we grow older, our blood vessels get stiffer. In other words, the pipes become stiffer and inflexible. This is what increases the blood pressure. Strokes occur when the blood bursts through stiffened and inflexible blood vessels at a high pressure.

Becoming stiff and inflexible is to develop into a dangerous and life-threatening state. A burst can occur and you are done for!

A tree cannot bend when it is old. When you've been in church for a long time you can be rigid. It takes grace to know you're rigid.

Every church that has been there for some time becomes stiff. This is why God is always raising new people to do His work - people who will be flexible in His hands and do His will. God has new ways of doing the old jobs.

A true leader exhibits flexibility. Being flexible does not mean that you compromise in things you believe in. A leader must not be rigid. An old rigid tree will be broken, but a young supple tree can be bent over. Paul said that he became all things to all men so that he might save them all.

Are you prepared to do anything to achieve good results? There are times that you may have to vary your dressing to flow with the people around. You are not always right, you know! In certain cultures, people are not punctual. When you say the programme starts at six o'clock, they will leave their homes at six and be there at seven. If you are very rigid with your timing, you may end up preaching to empty chairs and closing your service as the majority of people walk in.

For example, a pastor must be flexible with ignorant baby sheep. Sometimes, sheep will ask you to counsel them about things you have just preached about. The message is very clear but they still want you to talk to them. There are times you have to be flexible and accommodate these sheep.

A leader tries new things. If you are a leader, try new things that will make what you are doing succeed. If you are a pastor, try new ways of evangelism. Be open to methods that you did not invent. Listen to young people who have fresh ideas. Do not rigidly think that God only speaks through a grey-haired 60-year-old prophet. Flexibility will allow you to receive from a 20-year-old anointed youth.

Are you a leader? Then you must be flexible and open to new ideas.

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By Dag Heward-Mills