Whether we are leading and influencing our family, our friends, our Bible Study, a small group or Church we inevitably discover that we are leading people. People, including ourselves, are susceptible to temptation and sinning. What can we do to help minimize their falling to temptation? What kind of atmosphere or culture can we help create that will encourage people to be honest in their areas of struggle when they do fall? To communicate their need for help before they complicate their lives with sin? Scripture instructs us to: confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored. James 5:16

Galatians 6:2 exhorts us to bear one another’s burdens. The word for “burden” is trouble or weight. In order for us to be able to bear one another’s burdens, we must know what those burdens are.

Unfortunately there are many Christians who feel that the church is the last place they can take their problems. They become hammered by Satan, who lies to them about people not understanding and judging them. Their own conscience condemns them and they begin to perceive others as judging them, so the big cover up takes place.
As leaders, we need to pro-actively, with intention, set our hearts and minds to build a culture where people feel they can run to the church with their problems, not away from it. In this passage, Paul is talking about burdens that are too heavy for one person to bear alone. These are the kinds of things that could destroy a person. What would that look like? To be honest, I believe that it could be different things for different people. Those newer or weaker in the faith, may need help in what we may consider to be “lighter weights”, but they still need help in learning how to carry them. Others, stagger under loads so big, and yet cannot find the courage to ask for help. How can we help create such a safe place?

We must understand that in order for people to open their heart and share their burdens, they need to feel safe. Trust must be built. How can we, as leaders, promote such an atmosphere?

It starts with the top. As leaders model transparency and openness, it encourages others to do the same. One of the things I most appreciated about Darryl as a parent, is that when he felt he made a mistake with our children, he went to them and apologized. This communicated so many things to them. One, that even adults make mistakes. Two, their feelings mattered to him. Three, they could make mistakes as well, and there would be forgiveness given. It is the same in leadership. Being able to admit when you make a mistake will add to your credibility, not take away.

Casey Treat, pastor of Christian Faith Center, in Seattle, WA was born in a place called Burien, WA. Burien is a suburb of Seattle, in fact quite close to where the church is located. One Sunday, during his preaching, he discussed how he came from Burien, “the armpit of Washington” as an example on how God can raise up any body to become somebody. He went on describing in detail the armpit of Washington. At the end of the service, a woman came up and introduced herself. She was the Mayor of Burien. He realized what he did, and immediately apologized. He asked her to return the next week, where he publicly admitted what he did, invited her on the platform and prayed for the city of Burien. He attended the city council meeting of Burien and prayed for the city.

He could have simply told her, you know what I meant, and how I was exaggerating to prove a point, but instead, he acknowledged his fault and did what he could do to correct it. Leaders lead when showing what to do when they make a mistake.

“Perfect” people do not find others coming to them for help. People choose to go to others they feel can relate to their humanity while at the same time showing them how to walk in the victory of the Lord. As a leader, we must use the Scriptures as our Standard, but when we fall short, it is important to be honest about it.

There is a balance to be remembered. It is good, when sharing your faults and sins to remember the maturity level of those to whom you are confessing. I would encourage you to dream of the kind of situation where you feel safe to confess and share. Work toward implementing those conditions in your own life, and others will be drawn to you.

Ingredients to Help Promote an Atmosphere of Openness (Creating an atmosphere of safety and trust)

• Prayer
• It is important to lead by example. If you are late to a meeting, apologize. If you said you would do something and couldn’t get it done, admit it.
• Be open with your own struggles, when appropriate
• Give honor and gratitude for other’s performance
• Consistency, dependability, reliability
• Honesty: say what you mean, mean what you say
• No gossip: Be careful what you share, and whom you share it with
• Healthy Humor, being able to laugh at yourself, and with others—no sarcasm
• Be quick to apologize
• Recognize your short comings, or mistakes: owe up to them: don’t pass the blame
• Walk in forgiveness
• Safe Places are Growing places

Written by: Martha Rodman