Leadership has so many components, and when done with purpose and faith can be a catalyst for change and growth inside of each organization. I recently heard a story about Tony Dungy, former coach for the Indianapolis Colts, told from a chaplain that had been invited to lead a pregame chapel service. This chaplain had decided to arrive early. He walked into the chapel and saw the coach moving around the room setting up the chairs for the service. He immediately offered to help Tony get things ready.

But, the response was different than he expected because Tony refused the help. “No thanks,” he said, “I like to do this by myself. I know where each man sits. I know what each one is going through and how each one is hurting. I pray over each man’s chair as I set it up.”

I am sure the chaplain was moved by the picture of a head coach setting up chairs for his men in order to truly serve them in the most important ways. I know that I was. The picture is so perfect and powerful. Tony’s goal was to build a championship team, to prepare his men to play and to win each week, but his focus was never off of their souls and the things that they go through every week off of the field.

We are like head coaches that are called to prepare our people to go out onto the field and play and win. I wonder if sometimes we get so focused on the end score, that we miss what is really important.

So, who is on our team?

Our Staff: Begin setting up chairs before your staff meetings. Start learning the needs and wants of your staff and then pray for them, by name. You will only accomplish what your staff can accomplish. Invest in them, pray for them and help them accomplish their goals.

Major Donors: Take your top 25 or maybe even 50 major donors and commit to praying for them once a month. Pray for them before you go to visit them. To build a strong major donor program, begin to pray and care for your major donors. This investment in their lives will ignite your major donor program and will allow you amazing ministry into their lives.

Board of Directors: To prepare for your next board meeting, set up the chairs and pray for each individual as you do this. Pray that you would have an opportunity to know them and know the things that are important to them. You are going to find that this practice will bond you and your board and allow you to accomplish even more ministry.

This week take the time to “set up the chairs for your players”. God will begin to do a work that is greater and deeper than the mere ideas of men. As you become the type of servant leader that cares deeply for his team, you are going to see God bless in ways you didn’t even know to ask.