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Chapter 1 of 15 – The Calling to Lead

Chapter 1 of 15 – The Calling to Lead

By Wendell C Douglas, PhD, MEd

NOTE: School names, situations, and specific identifying details have been changed to protect privacy while maintaining the integrity of the examples.

This series of blog entries is based on my dissertation work and a lifetime of experiences in public and private education.  Comments are welcome!

A Quiet Invitation

Some moments in life alter your path without warning. For me, it happened on a Tuesday morning between second and third period classes. I was erasing the board when the principal walked into my room.

"We've been watching the way you work with students and staff," he began, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Have you ever considered moving into administration?"

My instinctive answer came quickly before he finished the question: No. Absolutely not. Leadership was for people who liked policies, personnel issues, and spreadsheets. I preferred teaching literature, leading student discussions, and planning lessons that tied faith and learning. Besides, I had already established a comfortable routine — why would I shake it up?

The Discomfort of a Calling

That afternoon, I told my wife about the conversation. She didn't react with surprise — instead, she simply said, "You should pray about it." Over the next few weeks, I did. And as I prayed, I began noticing a pattern. The same verse kept surfacing in my devotions, on Bulletin boards.

Leadership as Stewardship

Peter Northouse (2018) describes leadership as a process of influencing others to achieve a common goal. In Christian education, that goal extends beyond academics to include the spiritual and moral growth of young people. This means leadership is about stewardship, not ownership. You don't "own" the school, staff, or students; instead, you hold them in trust, guiding them to fulfill God's purposes. Like all stewardship, there will come a time when you must account for how you managed it.

Confirming the Call

The first year I said "yes" to leadership, I faced moments that tested whether I was truly called: • A parent meeting that started in anger but ended with prayer and reconciliation. • A budget shortfall that left us unsure how to meet payroll — until an unexpected donor called to ask how they could help. • A faculty crisis where my role wasn't to "solve" but to listen, mediate, and guide toward forgiveness. In each case, I learned that leadership isn't about being in control — it's about being faithful in the moment.

The Cost of Leadership

We do a disservice to future leaders if we pretend this calling comes without cost. It will:

• Test your patience when decisions are questioned.

• Require courage when unpopular truths must be spoken.

• Demand emotional and spiritual resilience when criticism comes from those you serve.

But the cost pales in comparison to the joy of seeing God at work in your school community.

Lessons for New Leaders

1.       Don't confuse calling with comfort — God rarely calls us to what feels safe.

2.       Your authority is borrowed — it comes from the One who placed you there.

3.       Success is obedience — the measure of leadership is faithfulness, not applause.

Reflection Questions

·        What scripture or truth anchors your sense of calling?

·        How can you discern the difference between an opportunity and a calling?

·        In what ways are you stewarding the people and mission entrusted to you?

References

·        Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.).

School names and specific identifying details have been changed to protect privacy while maintaining the integrity of the examples. 

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