A.k.a. Teacher

Did you ever think about going into the teaching profession? For many it wasn’t what they considered their "calling." You may have thought the pay was too low, dealing with youngsters too demanding, dealing with uninvolved parents a thankless task, and then the whole church and state issues. For those of you supervisors that have rejected teaching for whatever reason, let me break the news to you gently: YOU ARE A TEACHER!

Supervision has every aspect of teaching except some of the pay structures. Mess around with a few of the minor differences and you still have all the same needs and solutions. Think back to teachers who made a difference in your life. They were usually far and few between but you will always remember the really good ones. They are the ones that treated you fairly, had that gift of caring for everyone, could read your mind and know your specific needs, built you up instead of tearing you down, gave you inspiration and goals, lit the fire in your heart for something greater and they loved their job. These are also qualities of a great supervisor. Great supervisors are also few and far between.

Great supervisors are the kind that builds their employees’ careers by inspiring them to be more. They show them methods and paths that enhance instead of keeping it to themselves. They teach you the unknown rules when others may let you trip and fall. When you do fail, they make sure you understand the mistake, how to prevent next time and how it can be fixed today. They praise good work and good employees. They come into work with a joy for their job. Your success is a measure of how well they feel their job has been accomplished. Acts 20:20 is Paul talking to the Ephesian elders "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shown you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house."

Having been called to teach, even in the workplace as a supervisor or manager, is a high calling. Ephesians 4:1 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." And although this is talking about the unity of the Spirit, it is no less your calling if God has placed you in a teaching and supervisor position. Worthy as in doing this gift of a vocation as a pleasure and duty to God. Worthy as an example of God’s will for a Christian. As a description of the worthiness of a Bishop in I Timothy 3:2-4 "A bishop then must be blameless (above reproach), the husband of one wife, vigilant (orderly), sober, of good behavior, given (prone) to hospitality, apt to teach; not given (prone) to wine, no striker (scrapper), not greedy of filthy lucre (money); but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth (manages) well his own house, having his children in subjection (under control) with all gravity."

A teacher and a supervisor are both called to a higher standard. Your life both at work and at home are to be an example of how Jesus taught. We are given these gifts to use in a manner that glorifies God, follows His teachings, and benefits His children. You have been charged with making this life better for those you teach/supervise. Through your example you can bring others to Christ, yes, even as a supervisor.