Title Not Required

Don’t get it confused…

This weekend I had a discussion with a friend who is the CFO of a magazine franchise operating both locally and throughout the United States. Their business model which operates on the sales of advertising to businesses in local markets.

To highlight the importance of this model for their salespeople, they gave an incentive for sustained sales excellence. Any sales rep who met a high standard of sales for 3 consecutive months would be given the additional title of publication director. This was a great carrot to hang in front of their sales staff…until one person achieved it.

My friend shared how this sales person went from incredible 5 figure sales to virtually nothing immediately following her “promotion.” My friend exclaimed nothing actually changed in this person’s position – there was just a new title added on. The executive staff attempted to tell her nothing had truly changed, but she couldn’t see it. She felt the need to do something beyond her true position based on her title.

It all led to the revoking of the title – a hurtful experience for her, but a win for the business. Her sales immediately went right back up.

We love titles. President, manager, head (fill in the blank), pastor, baker, candlestick maker…you get the idea. However, we don’t always love to operate in our called position.

Position…not title.

Judges 6 shows Gideon is a man of position not title.

Gideon is anointed or called by God for a position, but Gideon isn’t given a title by God. Without title, Gideon immediately takes action as judge or leader. As Pastor Nick prodded us on Sunday morning, Gideon cleaned out the closet of his heart. Gideon destroyed the family idols.

Despite the fact Gideon performs this task in the dead of night, it took a lot of guts. It took even more intestinal fortitude to stand in front of the town the next morning and take credit for his action.

It’s then Gideon receives a title – Jerub-baal (contender with Baal – in other words, God’s anointed to stand-up against Baal). This further sets Gideon up to lead Israel as Judge. It never would have happened had Gideon not operated out of his anointed position.

You too are anointed for a position. Odds are you operate as a teacher, pastor, counselor, leader, administrator or even as one who comes alongside and helps. You probably don’t have that title anywhere in your life, but the position remains. It’s your call. It’s the Holy Spirit’s anointing on your life.

Don’t worry if you have the title. Don’t worry if you never receive the title. God’s not worried about your title. He’s worried about your position.