Leadership 102

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

June 24, 1998

Introduction

Homework assignments –

Did you have your Quiet Times?

Did you pray for your ministry?

Did you complete this week’s assignment in Spiritual Leadership?

Spiritual Leadership

Motivation

What is your motivation for being in "leadership"? What is your motivation for being in "ministry"?

Mark 10:35-45 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. {36} And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? {37} They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. {38} But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? {39} And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: {40} But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. {41} And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. {42} But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. {43} But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: {44} And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. {45} For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

James and John wanted position and authority. They wanted "glory". (vs.37)

They wanted to be somebody special. They wanted to be the ones in the spotlight.

Jesus said the pagans’ idea of leadership is to "exercise lordship"

katakurieuo – to bring under one's power, to subject one's self, to subdue, master; to hold in subjection, to be master of, exercise lordship over. It’s present tense, continuous action.

Having power over people. Being the one in control.

Leadership is not about being served, or having your needs met, it’s about giving to others and meeting their needs.

What if my motives for being in leadership are all wrong? Should I quit?

No. Change your motives. Jesus didn’t "fire" James and John, He just corrected their attitude.

Paul gave us the supreme motivation for ministry:

(2 Cor 5:14 KJV) For the love of Christ constraineth us …

How ready are you to lead?

Sanders called these ways to investigate your "natural" leadership potential, but I see them as a gauge of maturity (From "Spiritual Leadership", ch.5, pg.36-37):

Have you ever broken a bad habit? To lead others, you must master your appetites.
Do you keep self-control when things go wrong? The leader who loses control under adversity forfeits respect and influence. A leader must be calm in crisis and resilient in disappointment.
Do you think independently? A leader must use the best ideas of others to make decisions. A leader cannot wait for others to make up his or her mind.
Can you handle criticism? Can you profit from it? The humble person can learn from petty criticism, even malicious criticism.
Can you turn disappointment into creative new opportunity?
Do you readily gain the cooperation of others and win their respect and confidence?
Can you exert discipline without making a power play? True leadership is an internal quality of the spirit and needs no show of external force.
Are you a peacemaker? A leader must be able to reconcile with opponents and make peace where arguments have created hostility.
Do people trust you with difficult and delicate situations?
Can you induce people to do happily some legitimate thing that they would not normally wish to do?
Can you accept opposition to your viewpoint or decision without taking offense? Leaders always face opposition.
Can you make and keep friends? Your circle of loyal friends is an index of your leadership potential.
Do you depend on the praise of others to keep you going? Can you hold steady in the face of disapproval and even temporary loss of confidence?
Are you at ease in the presence of strangers? Do you get nervous in the presence of your superior?
Are the people port to you generally at ease? A leader should be sympathetic and friendly.
Are you interested in people? All types? All races? No prejudice?
Are you tactful? Can you anticipate how your words will affect a person?
Is your will strong and steady? Leaders cannot vacillate or cannot drift with the wind.
Can you forgive? Or do you nurse resentments and harbor ill-feelings toward those who have injured you?
Are you reasonably optimistic? Pessimism and leadership do not mix.
Do you feel a master passion such as that of Paul, who said, "This one thing I do!" Such a singleness of motive will focus your energies and powers on the desired objective. Leaders need a strong focus.
Do you welcome responsibility?

How we handle relationships tells a lot about our potential for leadership. R. E. Thompson suggests these tests:

Do other people's failures annoy or challenge you?
Do you "use" people, or cultivate people?
Do you direct people, or develop people?
Do you criticize, or encourage?
Do you shun or seek out the person with a special need or problem?'

One last consideration …

From pg.28, "At a large meeting of mission leaders in China, the discussion turned to leadership and its qualifications. The debate was vigorous. But through it all, one person sat quietly listening. Then the chair asked if D.E. Hoste, general director of China Inland Mission, had an opinion. The auditorium became still. With a twinkle in his eye, Hoste said in his high-pitched voice: "It occurs to me that perhaps the best test of whether one is qualified to lead, is to find out whether anyone is following.""

Getting back to who you are.

Last week we mentioned that true spiritual leadership depends upon who you are more than it does on the skills specific to your ministry.

Often we see leadership being based upon "job performance".

If a music pastor can pull off a spectacular Christmas program, plays guitar like Phil Keaggy, and writes a new song every week, then he’s got job security.

If a pastor can keep the people entertained and the offerings coming in, then the church is happy.

If a Sunday School teacher knows how to do puppets, make creative snacks, knows the best classroom games, and sounds like Robin Williams while telling Bible Stories, then they’re acceptable.

Yet God is more concerned about the heart of the leader than He is with the person’s skills in his job.

Keep in mind the qualifications of leaders that Paul and Peter gave, they’re all personal, spiritual qualities –

Paul (Spiritual Leadership, ch.6)

Social Qualifications – healthy relationships with people, a good reputation outside the church, setting an example.

Moral Qualifications – sexual faithfulness, no secret indulgences.

Mental Qualifications – sound judgment, respectable behavior, ready and able to teach.

Personality Qualifications – solve problems rather than pick fights, hospitality, not looking for high pay.

Domestic Qualifications – a supportive spouse, orderly household.

Maturity – someone who is tested, someone who doesn’t quit when it gets tough.

Peter (Spiritual Leadership, ch.7)

Motivation – leading out of love, not duty.

Not greedy for money or fame and prestige.

Not dictatorial.

Being an example to others.

Prayer

Humility

Dependence upon God, casting cares on Him.

Large Group Discussion

From the questions in Spiritual Leadership, pgs. 170-171:

#5. How does your church decide when someone is fit for spiritual leadership? How is the process working? (ch.6)

Small Group Discussion

From the questions in Spiritual Leadership, pgs. 170-171:

#1. What "natural" leadership qualities do others say you possess?

#6. What advice from Paul about leadership is timely for you? (ch.6)

Venture in Faith Video

"Where God Guides, God Provides"

How did God provide for Chuck & Kay in their early days of ministry?

Often a letter would come with a check or money in it. Chuck had a job.

Is it wrong to take offerings? Is it wrong to let the people know when there is a need?

No on both questions.

We use an "Agape Box" for our offerings, not because it’s more spiritual to do it that way, but in order not to cause offense to people who have been beaten up by other churches during the offerings.

We should guard ourselves from spiritual pride by thinking we do it better by not taking a regular, pass-the-plate kind of offering.

God as the initiator – He guides, He provides.

As a church, and as individuals, we learn to operate off of what is provided, and not push the people for more giving.

There may be times of faith when God gives us an idea, a vision, and leads us into a time when we have to trust Him to provide. But if He’s really leading us, then He’ll provide for us, without us having to beat the people to give. It’s not wrong to let people know of needs, but giving should be done willingly, and not under coercion.

Small Group Discussion

From the questions in Spiritual Leadership, pgs. 170-171:

#10 What one quality of spiritual leadership needs the most attention in your life? How can you get started on it this week?

Pray.