We are surrounded by contemporary ‘buzzwords and phrases.’ The term ‘relational ecology’ is currently popular. It’s the idea of creating a healthy ‘relational ecosystem’ for your life.
Here is a definition extracted from an article in ‘The Common Journal’ – 18(1), page 231.
“A relational ecosystem is a framework that views communities, organizations, or natural environments not as isolated parts, but as interconnected webs of relationships, mutual learning and shared responsibility” Koen P.R. Bartels.
This theme was picked up by Biola University and explained in a recent email extracted from a ‘Flourishing in Ministry’ email publication.
“You can have strong personal disciplines, excellent boundaries and deep spiritual practices, and still struggle if your relational ecosystem is thin. No one flourishes alone. The ministry leaders who sustain flourishing lives over time are the ones with the right relationships in the right places.”
Reuben Welch, in the 1970s, captured that concept well in a little book called We Really Do Need Each Other, @Impact Books, Nashville, Tenn.
It seems that the more research we do in social psychology and pathology, the closer we come to the ancient, wise patterns of Scripture. We were created to walk in community.
Fraternity and sorority are strong themes in the early Church and in Paul’s Epistles. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42).
What ingredients make a strong, healthy, enduring relational ecosystem that will help you in your leadership life?
The obvious answer is people. But what kind of people? How many people?
The greater the variety of people in your life, the richer your life will be. Here are eight suggestions for people you should bring into your orbit to ensure a healthy, balanced relational ecosystem.
This is what I have learned over the decades.
You need some people who will:
Believe in You
John Maxwell is credited with this quote: “He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk” (Chapter 2, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership). Everyone needs someone who believes in their intrinsic value and the gift God has placed in them. Often our own feelings of inadequacy keep us from reaching our full potential. Leaders need people who believe strongly in them because there will be seasons when they lack the capacity to believe in themselves.
Go out of their way to encourage you
We all need affirmation and encouragement. The affirmation and encouragement we need come primarily from two sources, with the Word of God as the primary one. But God created us to walk in faith community, encouraging and affirming one another. “Encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5: 11).
Challenge You
The weakest leader is the unchallenged leader. Every leader has blind spots seen only through the eyes of ‘caring’ others. If leaders shut themselves off from those who challenge them to grow, they impede their leadership development. The unchallenged leader often morphs into a self-serving authoritarian leader, leaning on a title or position to control and intimidate others.
Hold you accountable
A leader who refuses to walk in accountability is preparing his leadership for future grief. While this group may be limited to a very few trusted, non-judgmental individuals, they will provide the essential parameters to keep the leader’s life focused and integral.
Help Mentor You
Leaders can glean so much from people who have been on the journey much longer than they have. If their ecosystem does not include older people, they rob themselves of rich blessings and wise counsel. As a result, the path to leadership maturity becomes longer and harder.
Help invigorate You
Some leaders have sustained ministry into their eighth decade because they have surrounded themselves with young, energetic, idealistic people. It keeps them relevant and inspired. The moment an older leader disengages from the generations emerging, their own leadership effectiveness begins to wane.
Are looking to You for Christian example
In 1 Corinthians 11:1, the Apostle Paul places great responsibility on himself when he writes, ‘imitate me as I imitate Christ.’ Every Christian leader needs to understand that people look to them for a model of personal growth. Nothing keeps a conscientious leader as sharp as knowing others depend on them to provide a Christlike model. This is not a model of perfection. It is a model of progression, learning to process each of life’s events through the lens of faith.
Are fun to be around
‘A merry heart does good like a medicine’ (Proverbs 17:22). Leaders need people around them who can make them laugh. A good, honest, unrestricted laugh is equal to a week’s vacation. God gave humanity a sense of humour, and the same God places leaders in a faith community where others can teach us to laugh heartily and enjoy the journey.
How is your ‘relational ecosystem’ comprised? Is it balanced and healthy? It may be worth checking it out and adjusting as needed.
Al is an experienced pastor and counselor who works out of our ABNWT District Resource Centre in Edmonton as the Pastoral Care Coordinator. A pastor to the pastors, Al is a friend, mentor, and confidante to all.