Freedom to fail

If you are a leader that enjoys the huge blessing, privilege, and responsibility of leading other leaders, especially young ones, I want to extend a challenge to you that I'm still trying to figure out how to fully embrace and apply.

We simply must give young or even inexperienced leaders freedom to fail. Without some latitude and freedom to fail from time to time, we effectively strangle the possibilities of greatness for many young leaders. If they live in constant fear of our response to failure one of two things will happen:

1. We will discourage, stifle, or kill their vision, until they stop taking risks OR
   
2. They will depart from our leadership frustrated and find a place that allows them to dream
   

Neither of those are acceptable options. I know what some of you are thinking...Sure, they may mess up a few times and we may have to follow behind and clean up, but if they are failing they are likely dreaming and taking risks. Obviously we as leaders need to put some systems, expectations, guard rails and safety nets in place. AND, If they aren't leaders they may fail for other reasons that have nothing to do with vision and a pioneering spirit.**I get that, but that's an entirely different discussion for another day**

I'm so grateful that my first Pastor, Jon DeBell, (East Baptist Church) gave me "freedom to fail." I'm sure he shook his head a lot, and thought more than once, "Oh great, I'll get some calls about this one." But he gave me room to dream and I started believing that I was supposed to dream. I started believing "okay" wasn't good enough and it became part of my DNA. Failure is such a huge part of success. Thanks to Pastor Jon, and East Baptist for giving me such a great gift, "PERMISSION to DREAM, and FREEDOM to FAIL!

Rusty, put this video together for my day speaking at East Baptist. More of these to come as we prepare for our ONE YEAR anniversary at Ridge Church.