After developing a working definition of what it means to be a leader, I have to ask myself, Why do leaders matter? Why are they important? ?????? Chazown, often translated as vision in hebraic scripture, is an important concept to consider when asking why leader's matter. The catch is that english speaking people have lost the depth of chazown. Proverbs 29:18 is often cited in the Christian circle when pastor's vision cast.

Where there is no prophetic vision, the people perish. Often, I think this idea of chazown/vision is used out of context. I would suggest the use of divine direction to more clearly indicate what is being conveyed here. Spiritual leadership aside, the rest of this article will flow around this statement: Where there is no direction, the people crumble.

Where there is no direction, the people crumble. True leaders offer direction. This is why leadership matters. It takes a situationally aware leader to offer growth oriented direction. Whether you are a proponent of hierarchical order, organic order or any other kind of order, direction is important and without it, order fails. Without direction, how will the people know where to go and why? No direction equals brokenness. Bad direction equals probable destruction.

Leadership matters because people need direction (this does not mean leaders control, they influence). Without it, communities crumble. As a leader I must ask what kind of leader I am and what kind of direction I should be offering. Offering is the keyword here. Leader's control nothing. They influence and they offer. Followers do not have to accept our offering of direction and this is why leadership is as much a gift as it is a sacrifice. It is nothing we force.