We were on a project in church sometime ago. We had a team of people supervising the work. On one of the days, I got to interface with one of the contractors to inspect his work. While talking, I made a statement that registered in my heart. I said, “You know, I’m the chief responsibility officer here. Whatever happens, I must take responsibility.”
Friend, you need to take responsibility. Leaders are chief responsibility officers (SoS 1:6). Leaders are more of chief servants than chief speakers or title carriers. The greatest description of leadership is service, not status (Matthew 23:11). It is responsibility, not rewards. It is contribution, not consumption.
I love what one man of God said sometime ago; “If there is anything working here, it is God that did it. Anything not working is my fault.” While this statement speaks to his attitude of gratitude, it also speaks to his attitude of responsibility. Truly, everything rises and falls on leadership (Acts 20:27-32).
It is amazing how some people are quick to accept praise or reward for success, but when it comes to failure, they want to pass the blame to others. Leaders must not pass the blame to others (1 Peter 5:1-4). They must take responsibility. Whether in the home, church, organisation, or nation, leaders are chief responsibility officers.
As a nation, our leaders must stop blaming past administrations for the problems of our nation. Every leader must realise that he has been called upon to solve problems, not to paper over them. There would not have been any need for your leadership if there were no problems to solve (1 Samuel 17:19-37).
The first man (Adam) failed by not taking responsibility (Genesis 3:1-9). You will always fail in leadership when you refuse to take responsibility. David took responsibility for his father’s sheep in the wilderness. This was why God trusted him to lead the nation of Israel (Psalms 78:70-72). What will God find in you to commit to you? You need to take responsibility.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria