(This was something I wrote more than ten years ago as part of the introduction for a book that never got published [not yet, anyway]. I think it’s worth a read.)
I had read some of John Maxwell’s books, but this would be the first time I would be meeting him personally. This was in August 2004, when I was invited to a dinner meeting where Maxwell would be introducing the Million Leaders Mandate (MLM) curriculum to Malaysia and Singapore. The purpose was to interest potential Associate Trainers to take the programme into Asia.
After dinner, while still recovering from jet lag, Maxwell got up and gave a most inspiring message. I have since picked it up. As I go around conducting Train The Trainers (TTT) for MLM I have tried to pass on that same message, illustrating the points with my own personal stories.
————————————————————————————————————————————-
Apart from the Lord’s call, the reason I entered full-time Christian ministry was because I wanted my life to make a difference. Maybe at that point in time I didn’t think of it in that precise term. However, what was true was that my life had been transformed by the Gospel and all I wanted to do with my life was to bring that same transforming message to others.
During that time, I had been studying and living in New Zealand for seven years. I could have applied for permanent residency, as it was not difficult to get one back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. I never did because the Lord had already made it clear to me, “Return to your home and declare how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39). I was determined that I would not allow a rope to tie me down or a bridge to entice me to go back—I wanted my life to make a difference.
Making a Difference with People
All pastors and church leaders will agree; we want our lives to make a difference. That is why we preach, counsel, and pray for people. However, if we are serious leaders we would have to ask the question: But what kind of a difference? Is it to grow a huge church with thousands in attendance? To be revered as the man who was responsible for a magnificent church building? Or, to be known for an international ministry?
Over the years I have grown to learn that far more important than the size of building, budget and bodies—it is people. I want to make a difference with people. People are what count in the Kingdom of God. People are eternal. People influence people. Therefore, to invest in the lives of people is the best investment of my time, energy and other resources. Oswald Sanders stated that leadership is influence. And if by the grace of God, we can influence people for God, the Gospel and godliness, we will have already made a great difference.
Who Want to Make a Difference
I have since learnt, that as a leader I need to go beyond that. Yes, I want to make a difference with people. But what kind of people? Taking a cue from 2 Timothy 2:2; as a leader, I want to make a difference with people who want to make a difference.
Over the last few years that is what I’ve been doing; much more consciously and intentionally. Whether basic discipleship or leadership development, I look out for people who want to make a difference with their lives, and then I invest my life in their life. This is no quick fix two-hour seminar, but a long-term investment. It is more arduous and time consuming but I have no doubt that they will pay dividends, because these lives are going to make a difference. Maybe not immediately, but certainly sometime in the not-too-distant future.
As a result, I have people who are now making disciples. I also have a number of home-grown people coming on board the church staff. Since I am a pastor, and my work is in the context of a church, inevitably the people I influence largely end up doing church related work. However, I dream that my influence will also extend to members of the church who are intentional about impacting their marketplace.
Doing Things that will Make a Difference
“Doing what?” Whether it’s in the church or in the marketplace I want to make a difference with people who want to make a difference doing things that will make a difference.
There’s a young lawyer in my church who can’t stand injustice and he will do all he can to fight it. Clearly, he wants to do things that will make a difference. He has a good heart but he could do with some help in understanding what the Bible has to say about justice and to develop godly ways of achieving it. I wish I could empower someone like that.
I also have a YB1 in my church who is in the opposition camp. He’s a good man, with a good mind and who speaks sensibly in Parliament. He’s someone whom I would vote for any day. He is certainly someone who wants to do things that will make a difference. I wish I could influence someone like him whose time in Parliament can make a difference for our nation.
At a Time that will Make a Difference
This is what leadership is all about. The priority at this stage of my life and ministry is to make a difference with people who want to make a difference, doing things that will make a difference, and at a time that will make a difference. And the time is now!—as it has always been. It is not a mistake nor by chance that we were born in this country and at this time of the nation’s history. I don’t need to tell you the stories of Joseph, Esther, Daniel and the many others—who were God’s man and God’s woman in God’s place at God’s appointed time to do God’s ordained work.
Malaysia needs Christian leaders from all walks of life and in all spheres of society. I believe with all my heart that we, and I do mean all Christians, can make a difference!