Everyone has a desire for their life to matter, to count, to be worthwhile. We want to be able to answer “yes” to the question: “If I wasn’t here anymore, would I be missed?” There are few people that that are content to just get through life without making a contribution.
I currently serve in a “second chair” role on my church staff. I’ve no desire to sit in the first chair. I’ve joked with some that want that first chair that I think they are crazy. They aren’t crazy, I’m just wired up differently than they are. I’ve taken stock of who I am and my strengths and weaknesses. I’ve learned some painful lessons, and I know where I best fit, and maybe more importantly: I know where I should not try to fit!
In our celebrity driven society, the ‘first chair’ leader gets most, if not all, the attention. Those who serve in second (or third or fourth) chair positions can be treated as second (or third or fourth) class. This is a dangerous trap, especially in the church world. Far too often those who are not primary leaders strive for that role instead of focusing on adding value from their current position.
Here are some ways that second-chair leaders can add value:
1. Do your job! This is your first priority. Fulfill the responsibilities you were hired for. You can grow in other areas, but if you do so at the expense of fulfilling your primary responsibilities you are failing.
2. Support your leader. This is your first priority. (Yeah I know.) A secondary leader who is not supportive of his leader will cause division and create problems in the organization.
3. Do what is needed. A secondary leader will need to step in and do things out of the normal responsibilities. Every now and then I have the privilege of speaking at our midweek service. I’m adding value, not because I’m an great communicator, but because I’m giving our lead pastor a break.
I have found contentment by adding value by doing what I am called to do: serve others and help them accomplish the dream that God is giving them.
Excellent advice, even to wives who fill that second chair. Ever notice how the second violin turns the music pages for the first? What if he didn’t do it!
Good job, John, son.