Leading from the Second Chair

When I went to the Seminary, I learned a great lesson about leadership. After I was elected as a chairman of my class to supervise and help my mates with their sermon preparation and delivery, I was given the privilege to serve with great people on the preaching conference committee. As a matter of fact, the work seemed tiresome, frustrating, and burdensome. But, how the committee, of which I was the leader, gave their best and assisted me from the heart, I could not see the burdensome nature of the work. It gave me something to think about. Although we were mates in the Seminary, some of the members of the committee were older, more intelligent, and highly schooled than I, but they still gave their best and respected me as their leader. This experience left an indelible mark on my life. The kindness, loyalty, and respect I received from the members of the committee changed my perspective on leadership.  They served me and taught me that everybody needs people who will genuinely serve them. At first, I appalled the second chair but now I cherish it because these people showed me how important the second chair is in the ministry.

This leads us to the question, “What is the meaning of leading from the second chair”? In the first place, the second chair connotes the second person in charge of a committee, organization, team, or church. That is, it simply means the associate, assistant, or vice of a group. In the second place, leading from the second chair is how we lead as associates to a superior. Many do forget that although they are in the second chair, it does not take anything away from their leadership. They are clouded with an inferiority complex because they do not understand the ministry for which they have been called to serve. There is a greater number of people who are serving in the secondary role as associate Pastors, vice chairman, or vice presidents. Though the assistant role can be enjoyed, many people do not see it. Frankly speaking, some do fail in this role. They miss the opportunity it presents and thwarts the will of God for their lives. How can we as Christians and Pastors thrive in this position? This is what the article intends to answer. The article gears toward leadership in the church, but a general application could be made from it.

If we can thrive in this ministry, we must first see it as a call. The Associate ministry is a ministry ordained by God. In the biblical text, men like, Aaron, Joshua, Elisha, Timothy, Titus, Barnabas, and many more served in this role. These men knew that they have been called by God to serve in this role. To this end, they were loyal and faithful associates. They served with clear conscience and integrity in life. They gave their best. They were not lackadaisical in their work output. They wanted God to be known by all. They knew the ministry they have been called to is a ministry that kills pride and humbles anyone who understands it. Similarly, we cannot thrive in this so great a ministry if we do not conscientize ourselves that the Associate ministry is a ministry ordained by God in ancient times. That is why in both Testaments, we see this ministry. Even among the Levitical priesthood, the sons of Aaron were chosen to lead them. The priests were more of the lead pastors and the Levites served in the associate role. Moreover, among the priests, one was called to serve as the High Priest and the rest served in the associate role. If you’re serving in this role, understand that you are called by God to serve in one of the most delightful roles in the church.

Apart from the Associate ministry being a ministry ordained by God, it is also a training and a nurturing ministry for God’s generals. As aforementioned, those who served as Associates such as Joshua and Elisha later became God’s instruments who were effective and did greater things for God. The majority of those who serve as Associates today would climb the ladder to the lead role. For this reason, ask yourself, if God should change your position today, can you make sense of why God allowed you to go through this process. Although the Associate ministry is a pruning, nurturing, and training ministry, many pass through without being pruned, nurtured, or trained in any way. They do not give their best in this ministry but expect to do greater things in the lead role. Since they failed to understand that the Associate role is serving God’s purpose for their lives, they also missed their opportunity to become a general for God. Many do want to reap what they did not sow. If you do not allow yourself to be groomed and nurtured by God with this process, do you expect to receive something of greater importance? This is the opportunity to learn and grow to become better at what you do. May God be gracious to us all!!! Soli Deo Gloria 

Michael Yaw Tano

tanomichael65@gmail.com

You can also listen to this and similar posts on these podcasting apps, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Public Radio, and Spotify.