Liberty University
Study Response 5
An Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Kimberly A. Martin
Principles of Leadership for the Worship Leader
WRSP 530
By
Rachel Morway
Morway
This week’s reading in Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership discusses the five steps
for overcoming the dark side: acknowledge your dark side, examine the past, resist the poison of
expectations, practice progressive self-knowledge, and understand your identity in Christ. In
these next few paragraphs, I will place these five steps in order of priority for my personal life
and ministry from what I struggle with the most to the least, giving a personal explanation for
each of the re-organized steps, explaining the placement I’ve given it.
I believe the step I most struggle with in overcoming my dark side would be Step 3:
Resist the Poison of Expectations. As the author clearly states in this chapter, “expectations are a
two-edged sword either propelling you to achieve or weighing you down in failure.”1 The reason
I put this step first in the list of my personal struggles is because I have a tendency to weigh
myself down by the opinions and feedback of other people, placing too high of expectations on
myself and, therefore, causing feelings of low self-esteem, disappointment, failure and anxiety to
creep into my spiritual life. “The unrealistic expectations produce friction and pressure in your
life that eventually lead to burnout.”2 I can personally attest to what burnout in ministry feels
like, and even though I have overcome many obstacles to prevent further burnout in my life as a
minster, I still struggle with saying “no” and looking to Christ for my expectations. “Rather than
allowing others to dictate our behavior before God, we would be much wiser and healthier if we
followed Paul’s admonition to follow our own conscience under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit.”3
1 Gary L. McIntosh & Samuel D. Rima, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership. (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Books, 1997), 197.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid., 196.
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The second step I believe I struggle with would be Step 2: Examine the Past. No one
wants to relive bad memories or experiences from their past, which is why many cling to the
Scripture found in Micah 7:19 – “You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins
underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”4 However, there are things about
our past, even if they are negative, that can help us evaluate our future and help us overcome the
dark side. “You should begin by recalling the events that have shaped your life and left an
indelible mark. As you remember, you must identify the feelings generated within yourself that
are still motivating you as a leader today.”5 There are great moments in my past that I need to
remember and allow them to reshape and mold me into a better minister, while there are
moments I need to let go and allow God to help me forgive in order to move on. “Gaining
freedom from the power of your dark side involves extending forgiveness in some form.”6
The third step I believe I struggle with is Step 4: Practice Progressive Self-Knowledge.
“Overcoming the dark side of leadership requires regular exposure to the mirror of Scripture, as
it will provide you with the most accurate self-knowledge available.”7 I love reading the Word
and spending time with Jesus, but sometimes I have a tendency to do these things as part of my
daily routine and not allow them to change me deep within my spirit. It is important to let our
time with the Lord continue to change us, but that requires us to not only be consistent but also
vulnerable and teachable. “As long as we choose to live in ignorance of our unique weaknesses
4 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version (Grand
Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995).
5 McIntosh & Rima, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership, 179.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid., 210.
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and dysfunctions, we will continue to be victimized by them.”8 We should constantly ask God, as
David did in Scripture, to "see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting.”9
The fourth step I believe I struggle with is Step 1: Acknowledge Your Dark Side. Even
though it is not enjoyable to acknowledge our flaws and be forthcoming with our imperfections,
as a minister, I am a full believer in being honest and genuine in our hearts with the Father. Just
like the old saying goes, the first step in overcoming a problem is to first admit that you have
one. “The first step toward overcoming your dark side is to admit that it exists and understand
the shape it has taken in your life. Leaders usually deny the dark side and blame their failures on
other or circumstances rather than taking personal responsibility.”10 Again, even though this is
not easy, I know for a fact I cannot rise to the next level of leadership if I am not honest with
myself and the Lord that I need help to overcome the enemy and my hang ups. In order to truly
receive what we need to overcome these things, we must acknowledge them and ask for His
help.
Finally, the fifth and final step I believe I struggle with the least is Step 5: Understand
Your Identity in Christ. From a young age, I always knew who my Father was, and even though I
have gone through many tough seasons, I have never questioned where my identity truly lies.
“Your true value does not reside in your performance, position, titles, achievement or power. It
exists independently of anything you have done or will do.”11 This earth is not our home, and
8 McIntosh & Rima, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership, 210.
9 Psalm 139:24
10 McIntosh & Rima, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership, 170.
11 Ibid., 218.
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even though we all face circumstances that bring us down, we must never forget the fact that we
are adopted by God into His kingdom, making us His heirs and accepting His identity. “Your
greatest source of worth is being known by God and declared righteous in Christ.”12
12 McIntosh & Rima, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership, 218.
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