Sharpen the Axe
Leadership lessons from a lumberjack
Big Jake & Young Fred
Big Jake’s Tree Clearing was short of lumberjacks, and so when Big Jake found young Fred he was ecstatic. Young Fred had just graduated near the top of his class from a school specializing in turning out some of the finest lumberjacks in the country. “When can you start?” Big Jake asked, fully expecting to wait at least a week before Young Fred could begin working for the company. “Is tomorrow soon enough?” Young Fred asked with enthusiasm. Big Jake was amazed, clearly Young Fred would be a boost to productivity. “Tomorrow would be great.” He said, still a little dumbfounded. The next day Young Fred began felling trees for Big Jake, at the end of the day he checked in at the office and Big Jake asked him how the day went. “Well,” said Young Fred, “I think it went okay, I felled twenty-five trees.” “Twenty-five trees? That’s incredible!” Big Jake was completely blown away, twenty-five trees in one day was unheard of! “I just wanted to get the work done well for you.” Young Fred said as he clocked out and left.
A few days later Big Jake looked out the office window to see a tired looking Young Fred hacking away at a tree while the rest of his men stood drinking their coffee and grinding iron, but he thought nothing of it. When Young Fred came in that night, and Big Jake asked him how the day went. “I only felled fifteen trees today.” Young Fred looked a little exhausted and disturbed as he walked out, Big Jake knew he could do better. Still, felling fifteen trees was well above average, and Big Jake was happy he had hired Young Fred. Two days later Big Jake again noticed Young Fred hacking away at the trees while the other men stood around, “poor kid,” he sighed, “works so much harder than the rest of them.” That night Young Fred reported only felling three trees. This number discouraged Big Jake, as even his worst man felled five trees in one day. “I don’t understand it,” Young Fred said as he turned to leave, “while the other men are standing around I am working away, but they fell more trees than I do now.” Big Jake slowly replied, “Young Fred, those men usually only stand around long enough to grind their axes. A sharp axe cuts easier and they can fell more trees with less effort that way.” Young Fred’s tired face fell even further, “why Big Jake,” he stammered, “I was so concerned about cutting down trees I hadn’t even thought to sharpen my axe.”
Signs of a dull axe
Signs of wielding a dull axe:
- Withdrawal from once cherished relationships
- Lack of passion in mission and work
- Tasks not being completed in a orderly or timely fashion
- Clearly takes on too much responsibility
- Is overly concerned with the workings of the ministry
- Majority of energy spent ‘rushing’ instead of in ministry
- Uses little energy to delegate tasks/relationships
- Takes little personal time
- Often this is seen as dedication
- Usually encouraged by others
- Signs of personal exhaustion
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- Physical symptoms
- Spiritual and Mental disconnection
- Relational consequences
- Signs of depression, characterized by
- Helplessness
- Hopelessness
Consequences of a dull axe mission/job:
- The mission and job-tasks will ‘fall apart’
- Lose focus
- Lose purpose
- The receivers will suffer
- Spiritual and emotional needs will go unmet/will be met in unhealthy manners
- Discipleship will be hindered
- The missioner/worker will suffer
- Relationships in his or her mission, work & family
- Relationship with God
- Relationship with self
- Personal growth
A wielder of a dull axe may personally experience:
- Frustration with life and relationships
- Ambivalence towards something he or she was once passionate about
- Irrational irritability
- Extreme guilt for minor mishaps
- Feelings of responsibility for things not related to him or her
- Feelings of responsibility for ministry that exceeds normalcy
- Feelings of worthlessness in ministry or relationships
- Feeling overwhelmed/as though he or she is drowning
- Outbursts of anger
- Become Easily Confused
- Have difficulty making personal decisions
- Continued discontentment
- General exhaustion
- Depression
- Helplessness
- Hopelessness
Tips for sharpening the axe
A dull axe wielder would benefit from:
Taking a time-out
Being protective of his or her own personal time with God, family, and friends
Developing his or her personal relationships
Developing his or her own peer support
Appropriate boundaries (including knowing when you need a break, and taking it)
The ability to say “I can’t, but I know who can” (Eg. You cannot do everything for everyone)
Network of ministers and professionals to help when needed
Appropriate relationship skills
Word to the dull axe wielder:
DO NOT allow yourself to continue chopping trees with a dull axe!
- Take time to refuel
- Take some extra time in Study
- Take some extra time in prayer
- Talk with a trusted friend, spiritual advisor, counselor
- Journal, Read, get coffee…
- Be sure you enforce proper boundaries
- Take time for yourself, your relationship with God, and your family
- Keep your priorities your priorities
- Don’t let another’s burden become solely your burden, help with the load, don’t carry it for them.
Some principles to keep in mind:
- “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
- “The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a
- “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
- “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Dull axe resources
(Bibliography)
Bateman, Herbert W. IV, Authentic Worship: Hearing Scriptures voice, Applying its truths, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 2002
Barna, George, Leaders on Leadership, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 1996
Boa, Kenneth, Conformed to His Image, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2001
Brown, Daniel A., The Other Side of Pastoral Ministry, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996
Carson, D.A., A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 1992
Cedar, Paul, Hughes, Kent, Patterson, Ben, Mastering the Pastoral Role, Multnomah Press, Portland, OR, 1991
Clinton, Robert J., The Making of a Leader, NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO, 1988
Crabb, Lawrence J., Understanding People, Zondervan Press, Grand Rapids, MI, 1987
Fawcett, Cheryl, Understanding People, ETA, Wheaton, IL, 2001
Gangel, Kenneth O., Wilhoit, James C., Christian Educator’s Handbook on Adult Education, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 1993
Gangel, Kenneth O., Wilhoit, James C., Christian Educator’s Handbook on Family Life Education, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996
Gangel, Kenneth O., Wilhoit, James C., Christian Educator’s Handbook on Spiritual Formation, Victor Books, Wheaton, IL, 1994
Garrison, Peter C., Pastoral Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them, CSS Publishing Co, Lima, OH, 1990
Hocking, David, The Seven Laws of Christian Leadership, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 1991
Hughes, Kent and Barbara, Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL, 1984
Koller, Charles Allen, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling, Zondervan Press, Grand Rapids, MI, 1997
Kouzes, James M., Posner, Barry Z., Christian Reflections on Leadership the Challenge, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, 2004
Kraybill, Donald B., The Upside-Down Kingdom, Herald Press, Scottsdale, PA, 1978
Malphurs, Aubrey, Being Leaders: the Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 2003
Newton, Gary C., Growing Towards Spiritual Maturity, ETA, Wheaton, IL, 2003
Patterson, Richard, A Guide for all Church Leaders: Effectively Leading, ETA, Wheaton, IL, 1992
Wright, H. Norman, Crisis and Trauma Counseling, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 2003
