Lead, manage, liaison, follow, get out of the way, but prepare for frustration

There is a saying that has to do with lead, follow, or get out of the way that might be causing confusion.  There really should be some voice inside of us that reminds us that the situation you are in may call for leadership or it may call for management or it may call for being a good liaison, or it may call for following or it may call for getting out of the way.  It will usually call for frustration it we don't have some discernment about which one we decide to do.

If you consider yourself a leader in discipleship then you are going to have to take ownership of relationships.  That means that you have, at least, an obligation to those involved in the relationship something more than cursory "handling".

If you decide that as much as you like to think that Discipleship is at the center of what you do, but you just don't think the recognition, the event, or the ministry/program function is worth your ownership and direct involvement, at least make sure it's managed properly.

Don't mistake middling leadership for good management and don't think that what you are really doing is leadership when you are just trying to manage something or that you think somebody else is supposed to be managing it for you.

Options (The trick is to know which one you are doing):

Lead.  Take a personal involvement in the community you are growing in discipleship with. What happens with the event is your personal deal.  You are the face of it.  You own it.  If something goes wrong you say: "I messed up.  I am sorry I wasted your time.  I will not do it again."  If something goes right say: "I didn't really do much.  It was..."

Manage.  Know who is doing what and make sure they do it at the level that is expected.  "This is what we are supposed to be doing.  Don't screw it up."

Be a liaison.  Know who is doing what and get them connected.  "That's not my station."

Be frustrated.  What's your favorite curse word?

Follow.  Join the F.I.D.s filling in.

Get out of the way.  True strength lies in gentleness.

How do you decide when to do which?  How often do you decide?