The “Reverend John C. Maxwell”—that’s not how the world’s top leadership expert is typically introduced or described. As John Maxwell has evolved into an international speaker, trainer and teacher he has delivered leadership principles to a wide audience—far beyond his pastoral roots. At the same time, his faith is evident in his priorities, teaching and writing.
John C. Maxwell will be the keynote speaker and recipient of the “Entrepreneurial Leaders Award” at the upcoming Entrepreneurial Leaders Conference on November 16th, 2016 in Toronto. I have been surprised that many people seem to be unaware of the role that Christian faith plays in the life of John Maxwell. I imagine that because John Maxwell has become such a prominent mainstream speaker and writer that his past is dwarfed by his present initiatives.
Last January 2nd when he was in Vancouver, I asked him about the role of his Christian faith. He recounted in person, as he has in his books, how he started off in a small church in rural Indiana. The only attendees were himself, his wife and one other person. He described how he worked diligently to build up the congregation.
The congregation was thriving and he then moved on to another pastorate. He was disappointed to learn years later that the congregation had dwindled back down to much smaller numbers than when he left. That was one of his first lessons in leadership. It’s not about you, but who you train. He had left no leaders to carry the torch.
While he got his start in the ministry, what about the present? John Maxwell was also quick to point out in response to my question that he is currently a teaching pastor for Christ Fellowship Church, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. In fact, when we met, he had preached at Chris Fellowship Church the previous week.
While John Maxwell maintains a preaching ministry, what led to his focus on leadership training? On July 4, 1976 while he was leading a service celebrating US bicentennial he says, “I got a sense that God was calling me to help other Christian leaders to grow and reach their potential for the cause of Christ.” This started his 30+ year career helping others learn about leadership, in the Christian community and beyond.
Maxwell believes in the importance of leadership, especially for Christians: “Make your aim to practice transformational leadership, where people’s lives are changed from the inside out. That kind of leadership is based on character, conviction, and Christlikeness. In other words, transformational leadership follows the patterns laid down in Scriptures.”
His desire to train others led him to begin writing books on the topic. As his books gained traction, he also received more speaking opportunities. He also started various faith-related initiatives such as the INJOY Life Club and EQUIP.
His faith is reflected in his writing priorities. He published the Maxwell Leadership Bible (2002) which incorporates various leadership lessons throughout. Maxwell mentions in the Introduction that, “The call to leadership is a consistent pattern in the Bible.” He uses his oft-quoted refrain that, “Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing, else. If you are being salt and light as Jesus commanded, then you have begun to obey God’s call to leadership.”
Some of his books are more overly Christian than others. For example, Be All You Can Be: A Challenge to Stretch Your God-given Potential (2007) is the product of the leadership lessons he gave to staff at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, where he pastored from 1981 -1995.
He refers to many biblically-sourced lessons. Maxwell states that, “What makes a person extraordinary is purpose—the consuming desire to accomplish something in life.” In Maxwell’s opinion, the great leaders in the Bible were called to live their calling. Likewise, Maxwell maintains that same divine motivation for intentional living.
Maxwell is typically discrete when he talks about his faith in his many mainstream leadership books. His most recent book, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters (2015) is different. He says, “I talk pretty openly about my faith in this book. I do that because it has been an important part of my personal journey.” The point of the book is not to proselytize but to have people think about their life purpose. Maxwell explains: “My desire is that as you read and hear about me, you will make discoveries about yourself, your calling to make a difference, and about your ability to live a life of significance, which you can start doing now.”
John Maxwell always emphasizes that leadership needs to be lived first—then taught. How does he do it? In Intentional Living he explains that “God helps to make my best, as flawed as it is, even better. I have always believed that God will be there for me and help me. In fact, my belief in myself grows out of my faith. I totally embrace the words in Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
In Intentional Living he also notes that, “There is only one thing in my life that I value more than intentional living in order to achieve significances, and that is God. He can do more than I can imagine, guess, or dream about.” (p. 71.) John Maxwell has had a great influence in both the Christian community and the mainstream leadership world—from the unlikely beginnings in that small church in rural Indiana.
ELO is honoured to have John Maxwell not only join us on November 16th in Toronto to deliver the keynote address but also to receive the “Entrepreneurial Leaders Award” in recognition of his Christ-inspired global contribution over decades of dedicated effort.