The Buck Stops Here

1. The Buck Stops Here Accepting responsibility

2. Truman’s sign • “The President--whoever he is--has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That's his job.”

3.  Passing the buck • The phrase originated in poker • Shifting blame or responsibility from oneself to others • Evading responsibility for what happened or for dealing with an ongoing problem

4. Beware of the Doghouse But sometimes we don’t know how we got there.

5. The importance of accepting responsibility • "To undertake responsibility and to do it willingly is a necessary mark of a leader." J. Oswald Sanders • We can be given authority and accountability, but we can't be given responsibility. We have to take it. • Therefore, leadership is a daily choice.

6. Why are we sometimes reluctant to accept responsibility?

7. Is accepting responsibility the same as accepting blame? • We are responsible for our own actions, not the actions of others • We will be blamed if it goes wrong, but it may not be our fault, because not everything depends on us

8. Biblical examples • Abraham and Sarah – Gen. 16:1-6 • David and Abiathar – 1 Sam. 22:22 • Pilate and the Jews – Matt 27:24 • Who is said to be responsible for what happened? • Do you agree with this assignment of responsibility? Why or why not?

9. The weight of responsibility • Paul and his churches – Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Co 11:28-29) • “You can exercise and sustain personal leadership only to the extent of your capacity to bear pain.” Moreau, Corwin, McGee.

10. What are ADs responsible for? everyone else is primarily interested in their particular area Responsible for the whole when ... Responsible for the they don't want your help or you are tired of helping. welfare of others even when ... everyone else wants to be non-committal Responsible to make a decision when ... Responsible to you were not the chief proponent implement a difficult decision even when ...

11. What are ADs responsible for? everyone else wants to avoid conflict Responsible to confront inappropriate behaviour we would like to just think when ... out loud Responsible to guard what we say when ... Responsible to keep others are content to coast we want to push ahead growing when.. and ignore the risks Responsible for security when...

12. Security concerns • What are some questions that ADs need to ask about security when everyone else is saying "Let's go for it!"? • How can we be people of vision and faith, and yet responsible leaders who do not put their people in unwarranted danger?

13. When are you tempted to pass the buck, rather than taking the responsibility? Who do we pass the buck to?

14. How do you feel when faced with the weight of responsibility?

15. How do we bear up under this responsibility? • Share the responsibility • Use a team approach • Delegate authority • Involve your RD or the ID in the decision • Recognize your spiritual resources • Defer to the Chief Shepherd • Find refuge in God - a common theme of King David in the Psalms - eg. Ps 62 • Rely on a support group

16. Is there a danger of being too responsible? • The hero mentality • The control freak • Refusing to delegate • Refusing to give people authority to make decisions on their own • Taking charge before those more timid have a chance to act