Edited and Published by R.P. BenDedek with permission from Dr. Tony Keys'. This article is a non-edited excerpt from Dr. Key's book: 'Growing Future Leaders' and follows on from the last article: 'Five Personality Types in Organizations.'

Voluntarily creating an intended real transformational change.

Transformational leadership is the ability to bring together leaders and followers in agreement and relationship, empowering them to create an intended real transformational change. This is seen so magnificently in the leadership of Deborah in Judges, Chapter Five.

For a relationship to create intended real and lasting transformational change, someone in that relationship needs to have a heart for the people. Deborah rose to be a judge in Israel in a time that could only be described as one of the bleakest periods of Israel's history. The crisis was brought about by Israel itself.

We find in Judges Chapter 4 Verse 1:

• The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord."

The emphasis is on the word 'again.' It does not mean the second or third time but rather an infinite number of times. Israel turned from God to build occult places of worship and the people dedicated themselves to the service of demons such as Beelzebub, Melchom and their evil, occult practices. The penalty for this repeated evil was that God gave Israel twenty years of servitude, oppression and sorrow under a cruel king by the name of Jabin and his ruthless and brilliant General Sisera. Israel's military capability was so reduced that there was not a weapon of defense, even a shield, a weapon of offence or a spear to 40,000 men (Judges Chapter 5 Verse 8 ). In comparison, Sisera had a massive, well-equipped army plus 900 state-of-the-art chariots, which at that time represented the latest in military technology as they rumbled across the plains of Israel shaking the ground for many kilometres.

At this point in Israel's history, Deborah said in Chapter 5 Verse 7,

• "I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother of Israel."

Here we see that Deborah had a heart for all the people. The people came to a famous old palm tree to speak to Deborah, seeking guidance, wisdom and hope in order to be able to endure the oppression they were suffering. With this heart for the people, she saw the darkness of despair clouding their faces. She saw strong men bent under the invisible burdens of oppression. She saw hope evaporate from the young like water in the noon-day's sun. All these things began to mount-up deep inside her spirit and at last the slumbering lioness in Deborah's being rose up in all its strength and courage and she said, "Enough is enough. Israel shall be set free. The people cannot continue to live under this cloud of despair nor can they continue to carry this weary load of oppression. They must be free and by the power and strength of God they shall be."

Deborah sent north for a man called Barak and, fixing her hopes of Israel's freedom upon him, literally told him that heaven's clock of deliverance had struck and he was to be the hands of deliverance. In many ways, Barak was both a pragmatist and passive follower. He replied, "I will come on one condition." Deborah told him to name his terms. Barak replied, "My terms are that you come with me." Instantly she replied, "I am ready to go." Immediately this agreement was forged, there was a galvanization of a relationship between Deborah and Barak.

What most of us fail to realize is the far-reaching consequences of this agreement. Deborah's heart for the people not only galvanized a relationship and an agreement between herself and Barak but it also galvanized a relationship and an agreement between the followers and leaders of Israel to create an intended real transformational change.

This is seen in Verse 2 where it says that the people willingly offered themselves and in Verse 9 it says that the leaders of Israel offered themselves among the people.

When we look at the followers, we see that "they willingly offered themselves." The phase "offered themselves" describes both the actions of patriotism and devotion to God. It refers to the act of growing your hair and platting it to set yourself apart like a Nazarite to God, in order to undertake a holy war, similar to what was required of Samson.

Next, we find that they 'willingly' offered themselves. It is a picture of someone voluntarily undertaking an action. In this case, it is a picture of someone voluntarily undertaking the task of being an exemplary follower.

Exemplary followers know that the life of the organization requires give-and-take. These people in Verse 2 did all the things that exemplary followers do: they know that if they are going to drink from the organization's well, they must help replenish it; they know how to lead from behind, breathing life into their leader's vision, or even vision into the leader's life. By their willingness to offer themselves, they replenished Israel's 'well of life' and breathed life into their leader's vision. This is the type of exemplary followers we are called to be.

We find in Verse 9 that the leaders also offered themselves, which means that they also undertook the same act of patriotism and devotion to God as did the followers.

It is no wonder that Deborah praised the Lord when she saw such an agreement taking place amongst the leaders and followers of Israel! I believe that there is a triumphant shout of joy and praise in heaven when God and His heavenly host see followers and leaders galvanized together for intended real transformational change in His church.

May God Bless You and your leadership.

Dr. Tony Keys
Brisbane, Australia.
Email: trinitylead@uq.net.au
Copyright 2011
The Trinity Institute of Leadership Inc.

Growing Future Leaders - The Enormous Potential of Followers - Published 2006 by CRS Publishing, Unit 9, 147 Marshalltown Rd, Grovedale, Victoria 3216, Australia.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the NKJV Holy Bible

Dr. Tony Keys' Articles - Writers Journal K.C.

Christian Books on Leadership Various Authors

Pastor Tony Key's professional career includes extensive experience in leadership positions in non-profit organisations, ministry, education, industry and churches.

He has been actively involved in a vast range of leadership roles, which includes experience as the Director of two Christian tertiary education centres, Church Pastor, Assistant Principal of a non-profit Christian School, Factory Manager, Youth Worker, Crusade Co-ordinator, and an administrator for a theatre company.

He has travelled extensively throughout Australia and the world, preaching and ministering in churches as well as conducting leadership seminars for churches, bible colleges, missionary and not-for-profit organisations and meeting in a consulting role with church leaders.