Dr. Graham reports that a pivotal moment in his life came when he transferred from Bob Jones College in Tennessee to Florida Bible Institute in Florida. While there, he became convinced that he should be baptized by immersion as an adult. From that point on, he ministered everywhere possible from small churches to missions to street corners.
Dr. Graham spoke at the local Youth for Christ organization in Chicago in 1945. Event organizer, Torrey Johnson, saw his potential and hired Graham as his helper. From 1945 through 1948, Dr. Graham traveled throughout the United States speaking at rallies. Biographers wrote “Graham created a deep impression on individuals and large groups through his sincerity, personal attractiveness, and vitality.” Rev Graham’s most outstanding leadership quality is charisma; audience members are captivated while he speaks. They relate his words directly to their own lives and feel a deep connection to his message.
After reviewing segments of several of his speeches and several television interviews, it is evident that Rev Graham would be classified as a promoter first and a supporter second. He ministers with compassion and warmth while forcefully presenting the messages of the Gospel. He communicates his beliefs extremely well and rather persuasively. In his 1949 rally, he displays steadfast conviction and provides solutions to the problems that plagued the society of the day. Eight years later, he appears strong and firm yet he utilizes humor and relates to audience by including himself as needing to hear his own message. In his 1971 Crusade and in his Red River Valley, Graham clearly masters the context of that day as he relates to the peer pressures of the youth of that era. He did not speak condescendingly or with damnation. His voice and mannerism projected hope.
Historians have noted that Rev Graham has had a close relationship with high profile politicians from Truman too George H.W. Bush. That relationship developed due to his keen ability to listen and calm those in his presence.
A major factor in Rev Graham’s success is attributed to not only what he did, but also from what he did not do. When criticism began that he was using evangelism for personal gain, he immediately worked with others to create the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which took over planning and coordinating evangelistic meetings and other activities associated with Graham. Cathy Grossman of USA Today also credits his continued success to being “the evangelist who did not rip off millions (J. Bakker) or run with prostitutes (J. Swaggart) or build a megachurch (J. Osteen) or run for president (P. Robertson) or run a Christian political lobby (J. Falwell).” Basically, he was authentic and practiced what he preached.
Grossman,C., USA Today, Nov. 14, 2008 retrieved Feb 13, 2009 at http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-11-04-billy-graham_N.htm
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One of Billy Graham's most important leadership qualities is his ability to be an effective public speaker. Through his speeches, Graham has the ability to spread his message of hope and belief. He is excellent at communicating his message and feelings through words to his followers. HIs ability to be a true public speaker is one of Graham's defining qualities as a leader.
ReplyDeleteRev Graham can definitely be characterized as a promoter; I find him to be extremely persuasive. He is an excellent communicator. He is creative in his techniques and has been able to make people comfortable professing their faith in God. His flexibility has allowed him to react to criticism and maintain his immense popularity for more than 50 years. He is insightful, which is evidenced by the fact that many of our nation’s top leaders seek his counsel.
ReplyDeleteAn evangelist that is as great as Billy Graham must be classified as a supporter. He supports his followers and travels around the world to spread God’s word. Billy is willing to take direction when needed; when he was criticized for using his ministry for personal gain he incorporated into Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). His ministry would now be run like a business and monetary decisions would be made by many. Billy is a great motivator, but he can also put people at ease and have them open up about their relationship with God.
http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bio.html. (November 11, 2004) Wheaton College. Date retrieved February 20, 2009
As you noted, “Rev. Graham’s most outstanding leadership quality is charisma; audience members are captivated while he speaks.” When Jobs speaks, he too has an aura of charisma and charm. Alan Deutschman, a Jobs biographer noted, “. . . what really gets you is the way he talks—there’s something about the rhythm of his speech and the incredible enthusiasm he conveys for whatever it is he’s talking about that is just infectious” (Kahney, 2008). Many consider Jobs to be, in a sense, evangelistic.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Kahney, L. (2008). Inside Steve’s Brain. New York, NY: Penguin Group.
Hi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteAs I read I must agree that his charisma certainly was a pivotal factor in getting and holding the attention of any audience. I believe that a critical component of his charisma was as you stated his ability to connect with people. Great leaders know how to connect with people whether through compassion or support. Compassion is a great quality and one that leads people to others.
He is a high quality promoter as he brings people to his ideas, his mission, and his vision. I believe he is also a supporter through his compassion. This support is critical as many people have failings and turning points and often the way back on the path is through someone's support. He exhibits this quality and people see it in him.
Thanks,
Dave