The Ballestero Blog

The Star Search Of Pentecost

Today’s Christianity is sadly becoming more and more about personalities than about the Savior. The focus of some seems to be about making money and a name for themselves.

Mr. Bill Breen wrote an impressive article on leadership. Part of which, I wish to share here.  In this excerpt Breen explains that the head of the Caterpillar Company never promoted himself, just his company.

The Three Ways of Great Leaders

By Bill Breen

The Leader as Manager: Louis B. Neumiller

“Whereas entrepreneurs are company creators and charismatic leaders are agents of change, managers are value maximizers — they make the most out of something that already exists. Such is the case with Louis B. Neumiller, who rose through the ranks of Caterpillar and became its chief executive in 1941. Two months later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Just as C.W. Post used changing demographics to launch the cereal industry, Neumiller seized on the massive geopolitical event that was World War II to build Caterpillar into a global organization.

Neumiller really didn’t build anything new. By the end of his era, Caterpillar’s product portfolio didn’t look all that radically different. What changed was the corporation’s scale and scope. Neumiller capitalized on the war effort and then the rebuilding effort to transform Caterpillar into a global giant. And like all great managers, he took his identity out of the business — he let his company become a hero instead of himself.”

http://www.fastcompany.com/node/54065/print

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Harvard Business School wrote:

“Under Neumiller’s “”home-town-boy”” leadership style, Caterpillar’s revenues grew from over $100 million in 1941 to $827 million in 1963, prospering through World War II and the global post-war boom. Neumiller built the Caterpillar brand into a common worldwide name, developing only the highest quality products, and expanding Caterpillar’s dealer network to include 258 dealers with as many employees as Caterpillar itself.”

http://www.hbs.edu/leadership/database/leaders/louis_b_neumiller.html

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†  John never allowed himself to be looked at as a hero, although thousands followed his teaching.

He refused to allow his ministry to point arrows towards himself, but rather let his words be arrows pointing towards the Lamb of God.

• John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

† Paul had to deal with hero worship issues in the minds of saints nearly 2,000 years ago. (It’s nothing new.)

• 1Cor. 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
• 1Cor. 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Paul had to remind the Corinthians that they were wrong in focusing on personalities and not on Christ.

I detest the spirit that seeks to promote itself, and then encourages others to join their self made fan club.

†  Even Jesus was careful about how He approached the ministry that was before him.

• Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

My Father taught me that if you have a gift, it will make room for you, don’t make room for your gift. It still makes sense to me today.

While I thank God for the gifts of music and ministry in these last days, Pentecost doesn’t need to run after stars, superheroes and holy action figures. Are we promoting the Kingdom or ourselves?

This life we’re living is not about us. It’s ALL about Him! We need another revelation of that.

If there is ever a ‘star’ search in our ranks, let it be the same search the 3 wise men had. I know where that search will end.