The unusual leadership style of a Sherpa

Meet Apa Sherpa. He has reached the summit of Everest 22 times.

This is a month where dreams and goals get put to paper and to plan. We begin moving towards those plans hoping that through them we will gain new traction in our vision to connect people to our churches.

But what if I'm already not seeing the results I planned for?

Believe me, I know what that feels like.

It's kinda like looking forward to giving a gift to your kid for months and finding out that you may have bought the wrong one as they are opening it.

It's disappointing. Confusing. Frustrating. Even maddening.

And there is a lot at stake. We know the souls God has led to our churches need Guides who know the complicate terrain of connection.

But make no mistake about it: Climbing is always uphill.

Yet many times when spiritual leaders don't see the results they are praying for, the disappointment colors everything: their time with God, their home life, their joy.

So I am going to take some time to encourage you right now with the example of some extraordinary men:

When you are not seeing the results that you want to see, that is your cue to return to the leadership style of a Sherpa. 

Here are their 5 key qualities:

➊ Sherpas are born to climb & connect

The lungs of Sherpas are capable of going without the same amount of oxygen you and I require.

They can go to higher altitudes than we can without issue, so they carry the equipment for climbers most of the time.

In 2003, Sherpas Pemba Dorje and Lhakpa Gelu competed to see who could climb Everest from base camp the fastest.

On May 23rd 2003, Dorjie reached the summit in 12 hours and 46 minutes.

Three days later, Gelu beat his record by two hours, reaching the summit in 10 hours 46 minutes.

On May 21st 2004, Dorjie again beat the time by more than two hours: he did it in 8 hours and 10 minutes!

Like Sherpas, we are a particular breed.

We are connectors,
protectors,
meeters,
greeters,
recruiters,
trainers,
networkers,
shepherds, and
environmental architects.

Like the Guides on Everest, we share a common DNA with one another. We think process and we get people. We were born to do this.

At times, we don't reach the summit, but that doesn't change who we are. Because of who God made us to be, we have what it takes.

➋ Sherpas are “way-makers”

Sherpas are strategists, looking at the terrain and weather and taking the best route to the summit they can find for those on the climb with them.

They carry loads for those who falter due to the high capacity they alone possess. They know when its time to camp and when it's time to proceed.

They keep things simple, always knowing the next step the climber needs to take.

Like a Sherpa, we do not let an obstacle spell the end of an expedition. We find a way—start again if we have to.

The only shame is not being who you are.

➌ Sherpas let the environment produce the results

Sherpas have confidence not in themselves, but in the environments along the way.

The terrain on Everest is what creates the experience and produces the growth in the climber, not the Sherpa.

They know that the challenges and the breakthroughs along the way make those they lead able to move forward. 

Don't overestimate your abilities. Connection to the Body of Christ is the summit, not connection to you.

➍ Sherpas know their role in the climb

All Sherpas need to do is lead them to the next camp. They can't make the climb for them.

When you are not seeing the results you wish you were, do not overestimate your calling: your role is to guide. Their role is to climb.

Your role is to help, their role is to move.

You cannot make a climber—climbing makes a climber. Just lead them by showing them their next step.

That’s it.

➎ Sherpas let those they guide be the heroes

You never hear about a Sherpa when an American reaches the top of Everest with his help.

It may be the 20th time the Sherpa has made the climb. And even though the climber could not have made it without him, the Sherpa gets no recognition from the world when "Joe American" reaches the summit, and that is fine.

Sherpas let those they guide be the heroes of their journey, the overcomers in their own story. We are privileged to do the same.

Don't be discouraged if no one is singing your song. Look around: people are in fact reaching the summit because of you... celebrate them, even when you don't have as many other climbers as you planned for.

More will come when they hear the story from the one you helped, the one whom you made successful—not the other way around.

Bottom Line: Don't sweat a plan that didn't work to expectation.

You're a Sherpa.

Just keep guiding people to the summit of becoming a connected, serving member of Jesus' community of followers.

You’ve got this.

And now, use the discussion questions below to rally your team around the unusual (and powerful) leadership style of the Sherpa.

TO CHEW ON WHILE WE CLIMB

➊ How do you feel about your ministry of assimilation? I don't mean how it's going. I mean, how do you feel about being in the ministry of assimilating people? Does it energize you? Do your instincts find expression in it?

➋ Click here to watch a 15m video called "The Heroes of Everest" by National Geographic. Take note of the character qualities of a Sherpa as you do.

➌ Download the Strengthfinders app and have your team take it. Discuss how the results connect to the role of a Sherpa.

➍ Which of the 5 qualities of a Sherpa listed in this post do you possess the most? If discussing as a team, have the team answer for each member. Which of the 5 qualities do you need to "let out" as you move into next month?

➎ Pray through Ephesians 2:10 for you and your team.