PRINCIPLE OF LEADERSHIP SETIDP

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

Presented by
0swiIl E. Williams

“But it will not be so among you; But whoever wants to become great among you will
be

your servant; and whoever wants to be first among you will be your servant” (Matthew
20:26,27).

Special Prayer

“O God, give us an army of men and women who fear nothing but God. Set them on fire
with such a holy zeal that no cry of fanaticism, deception of the devil, Manifestation of
the flesh, or anything else will restrain the fervor or impede progress until this glorious
gospel is published to the ends of the earth and the flame complete. of the Pentecostal
power, with all its signs, wonders, and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit are
burning to the glory of God, as at the beginning of the blessed age of the gospel.

TO. J. Tornlinson

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LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

Introduction

“Leadership concerns everyone, and the challenge of leadership is a challenge for

everyone ”

It has always been interesting to observe the attitude of the majority of church members
on the subject of leadership. My experience shows a similar attitude to those who do not
attend church, and can be characterized this way:

And when all goes well, leadership is the last thing to get the credit. By the way, most
leaders are only considered "good" in retrospect, either after they die or after they
are replaced.

And when problems come, leadership is almost always the first to be blamed for any
failure to resolve issues quickly, or restore confidence in a better future.

AND Leaders are expected to exemplify the highest standards of ethical and moral
conduct, and loss of credibility is automatic and severe for minor infractions.

And leaders are less trusted when conditions are deteriorating, when that is precisely the
time when leadership is most needed.

In one of the best works on the subject of leadership, simply titled Leaders , Warren
Bennis and Burt Nanus made this interesting observation: “A business with little capital
can borrow money, and one with a bad location can move. But a business without
leadership has little chance of surviving. Leadership is what gives an organization its
vision and ability to turn that vision into reality.”

Leadership involves the “direction” of people “influencing, guiding in direction, course,

action and opinion.” Unlike leadership examples in the business world, Christian leaders
must follow Jesus' example of service. “... But I am among you as one who serves,”
Jesus' words in response to His disciples' desire to know who would be the greatest,

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provide a new perspective on leadership. How easy it is to encourage service so that

others may serve us. That was not the way our Lord walked and neither should we. It is
little surprise, therefore, that service has unfortunately been regarded as the illusory
principle of leadership. The service begins in the mind with a simple two-word prayer: “
Change me Lord .”

Jesus' example of washing the disciples' feet is full of meaning for all who claim to be
servant leaders. In an excellent little book written by Max DePree, called Leadership is
an Art , the case for servant leadership is made this way: “Try to think of a leader, in the
words of the gospel writer of Luke, 'as one what's useful'”. In these days when so much
energy seems to be spent on maintenance and manuals, on bureaucracy and unimportant
qualifications, to be a leader is to enjoy special privileges of complexity, ambiguity and
diversity. But being a leader means, above all, having the opportunity to make a
significant difference in the lives of those who allow leaders to lead.

It should be possible for us, therefore, to accept that leadership in the body of Christ
cannot be compared with leadership in the world, since Christ is the head of the Church
and He is in control. But Christians often criticize church leadership in the same way that
world leaders are punished. One implication of this response to difficulties in the church
may suggest that we believe that human leaders are the fundamental determinant of
“success.” While it is important to recognize God-inspired and anointed leaders,
Christians must not forget the words of our Lord when he said, “ As the Father has sent
me, so I send you ” (John 20:21). Throughout the gospels we can see the emphasis Jesus
placed on demonstrating His dependence on the Father. No matter how talented they are,
human leaders must depend on Jesus for their example of leadership and the power to
execute it. If leadership concerns everyone, then it should involve much more than
concern and criticism on the part of church members.

An example of the attitude of the first century church toward one of its leaders illustrates
a positive response to the reality that leadership concerns everyone. In Acts 12:5 we
read: “ So Peter was kept in prison; and the church made unceasing prayer to God for
him ” (Acts 12:5). In this instance, there was no indifference, no one said it was Peter's
fault, nor did the church call a conference to find his replacement. Instead the church
prayed.

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The history of Christian leaders indicates that Satan has a special goal to discourage,
discredit, dishonor, and otherwise destroy the Christian leader. John Maxwell has
suggested that the Bible contains about 400 individuals who can be considered leaders,
either by design (position) or actually (function). Of these 400, Maxwell maintains that
only 80 can be said to have ended well. Assuming this is the case, we can see that the
odds of church leaders ending their careers with joy are not good.

Various writers have expressed opinions about the characteristics of the Christian leader
that are essential to achieving the goal of finishing well. In general, these can be
summarized in five important qualities:

1) Humility - genuine service.

2) Passion - deep desire to have intimacy with God.
3) Obedience - doing God's will regardless of the circumstances.
4) Faith - in God's promises and His faithfulness.
5) Learning - ability to receive advice from others.

Although we are living in a time when rapid and frequent changes have become the
norm, I believe that the above are constant qualities required in all biblical leaders.
Likewise, it is important to place the leadership challenge of the present time in its
proper context. In an intriguing book written by Denis Waitley titled Empires of the
Mind , he makes this observation:
"What worked before doesn't work today. Because?

And before, natural resources were power. Today knowledge is power.

And before the hierarchy was the example. Today the union of work is the mandate.
And before the leaders imposed and controlled. Today leaders train and train.
And before the leaders were warriors. Today leaders are facilitators.
And before, leaders demanded respect. Today leaders encourage self-respect. And
before, supervisors flourished. Today supervisors fade away.
And before the employees took the orders. Today teams make decisions.

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And before, value was something extra. Today value is everything."

Contemporary attitudes and values in society demand both careful study and
understanding if church leaders are to maximize their influence while demonstrating true
service. In fact, all of the above requirements for today's leaders are highly consistent
with Jesus' leadership example.

Charles Swindoll in his book The Bride (Renewing Our Passion for the Church ), quotes
Josiah Holland's famous prayer:

GOD, GIVE US MEN! Times like these demand strong minds, big hearts, true faith and
ready hands; men who are not affected by the lust of the trade; men whom the
corruptions of the trade cannot buy; men who possess opinions and will; men who have
honor; men who do not lie; men who stand before a demagogue and condemn his
treacherous flattery without blinking! High, rewarded men, who live above the mist in
public duty and private thought, for when the populace, with their repeated creeds, their
long professions, and their few works, unite in selfish disputes, here is when freedom
cry, evil reigns the earth and justice sleeps.
To this prayer I could add: God, give us men who do not fear progress, yet will not
renounce the deep convictions of their souls; men of true character, who know
themselves and who tremble at the thought of calling the ministry into question.

This course is an attempt to present an in-depth study of the four fundamental leadership
requirements that are ongoing and vital to a true expression of biblical leadership. At the
end of this study it should be possible for each participant to fully appreciate the
practical implications of these fundamental leadership principles, and to be able to
develop an example of ministry that is firmly based on these principles.

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CHARACTER
The Foundation of the Ministry

"And Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself in the king's portion of food, nor
in the wine he drank: therefore he asked the prince of the eunuchs not to defile himself."
(Daniel 1:8).

"Almost all men can endure adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him
power."

* Abraham Lincoln

In his book, The Bride , Charles Swindoll uses a list developed by a father and son team,
containing ten statements about ministry that are easily forgotten. This is the list, but I
would like you to particularly look at the first statement:

1) The foundation of ministry is character.

2) The nature of ministry is service.
3) The motive of ministry is love.
4) The measure of ministry is sacrifice.
5) The authority of the ministry is submission.
6) The purpose of ministry is the glory of God.
7) The tools of ministry are the Word of God and prayer.
8) The privilege of ministry is growth.
9) The power of ministry is the Holy Spirit.
10) The example of ministry is Jesus Christ.
It is my belief that without Character a leader has little chance of having credibility on
any of the remaining data on the list. God's work in developing character in a leader is
essential since effective ministry flows from the person. The God-given ability to lead has
two parts: gift and character. Our greatest challenge as a leader is to develop godly
character. Separated from character, ministry is only a religious activity, or even worse, a

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religious business.

The search for character is a noble, if often perplexing and frustrating, quest. Just when
we think we have understood its nature, it evades us. But if we want to be judged by the
content of our character, we must decide what content we want it to consist of. There was
a time when piety, asceticism, and life in a monastery were considered exemplary
expressions of a holy life. We can identify certain essential qualities in biblical leaders.
For example:

And Enoch... walked with God and it pleased him.

And David ... was a man after God's own heart.
And Abraham ...believed in God and was ready to obey in anything.
And Moses ...chose to suffer rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin.
And Noah ... stood firm even when they mocked him.
E Daniel . .. He committed to having communion with God at all times.
E Job ...was patient under extreme circumstances.
And Stephen ...forgave those who stoned him to death.
And Barnabas ... encouraged others.
E Paul ...forgot the past and continued toward the goal of a higher calling.

All of these men had a deep desire to know God and an insatiable hunger for intimacy and
meaning in their relationship with God. David expressed it this way: “ God, you are my
God: I will arise to you in the morning: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh desires you, in a
land of dryness and passage without water ,” (Psalm 63:1).

One word that comes to mind as I closely examine the lives of all the leaders on our list is
the word integrity. The dictionary defines integrity in terms of soundness of moral
character, adherence to ethical principles, and being intact. Its root is related to
integrating - uniting into a whole - an integral, complete whole. The Hebrew root of the
word integrity means complete, solid, intact; the quality AND the state of not being
divided. It is the absence of duplicity and hypocrisy. Integrity includes being financially
responsible, personally trustworthy, and privately clean. The person with integrity will
maintain a servant's heart. It will always be ready to answer when others ask “Why?”

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Integrity is not only what you think, but how you act. As Ted Engstrom said, “Integrity is
doing what we say we are going to do.” Integrity means that you will remain with the
spouse to whom you promised fidelity until death. He promised that he would always
give glory to God and would continue to do the same even if he was reduced to nothing or
exalted to the highest point on earth. They return phone calls, submit their reports on
time, and don't back down when others give them problems. That's integrity. (Children
always tend to expose the lack of integrity in adults.)

True integrity involves doing the right thing when no one is looking or when everyone
else gives in. For those of us in ministry, it is time to do the right thing or leave ministry.
As Chuck Swindoll said “In any case ministry is a profession of character; one can be an
adulterer and still be considered a good brain surgeon; one can cheat on his wife and be a
lawyer; but you can’t do any of these things and have integrity.”

It takes character to live by the advice of Waldo Emerson who said: “Always do what you
are afraid to do.” This is true when considering the great men of God cited above. Godly
character will give the leader his most powerful attribute – persistence. At the
McDonald's hamburger chain, each manager is given Calvin Coolidge's inspired message
that declares:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent won't do it;
There is nothing more common than unsuccessful men with great talent.
Ingenuity will not do it; unawarded ingenuity is almost a proverb. Education
will not do it; The world is full of abandoned professionals. Only persistence
and determination are indispensable for true character."

The leader who chooses to take the safe path instead of the risky or unpopular will never
discover what I call the “Daniel factor” (see Daniel 1:8-21). Leaders must always accept
the challenge to “dare to be a Daniel.” The truth is that we trust people who are
predictable, whose position is known and who maintain it; Trusted leaders make
themselves known and their positions are clear. I like what James Kouzes and Barry
Posner say about the cautious versus the tense in their book, The Leadership Challenge:

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“When leaders face a stressful event – whether positive or negative – (1) they find it
interesting, (2) they feel they can influence the outcome, and (3) they see it as an
opportunity for development. This optimistic assessment of events increases your ability
to take decisive steps to alter the situation. Instead of avoiding the problem, they prefer to
act to confront it – and control it.” The reason they take the more difficult position
regarding issues and events is later expressed by Kouzes and Posner when they say that,
“People will not follow those who avoid overwhelming events and those who do not take
decisive action.”

Robert Clinton, in his book, The Making of a Leader, gives us an interesting definition of
a leader: “...a godly leader is a person with a God-given ability and responsibility to
influence specific groups of God's people to achieve Your purposes for said group.
“Character is essential for a leader to influence people for God’s purposes.”
No amount of reputation can replace character. It was Dwight L. Moody who said: “I
have always found through the grace of God that if I take care of my character, my
reputation will take care of itself.” I was happy to find the following in a message by
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1891), which I first read a while ago:

Am I speaking here to some servant of God who is afraid of losing his reputation?
This is not a reason that will persist to inspection. This is not a fear that worries
me. I've lost my reputation several times, and I wouldn't cross the street to pick it
up. It has always seemed to me like something I would like to lose, to no longer be
pressured by this huge crowd. Pastoring a church of 5,000 people is not something
I can handle. If reputation places someone in the position I now occupy, it is
certainly not a blessing to be desired. But if you have to do anything for Christ that
will cause you to lose the respect of good people, and yet you feel you must do it,
never think twice about your reputation. Because if you do, you have already
entered that secret place where you should treasure it more than anything. The
highest reputation in the world is to be faithful - faithful to your God and your own
conscience.

As for the approval of the unconverted multitudes or worldly teachers, don't even
bother to push a button for it. It can be a deadly inheritance. Many men are more
slaves to their admirers than they imagine. The love of approval is more of a

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slavery than it would be an internal dungeon. If you have done right before God,
and are not afraid of His throne of judgment, fear nothing then, go ahead.

Isn't that wonderful advice? Wonderfully liberating! I agree with John Maxwell's
statement: "When you don't have to survive, then you can LEAD!" If you need them, you
can't direct them." Although most people can only do right when they feel it is right,
godly character allows a leader to do right and feel right. Leaders do what they have to do
no matter how they feel.

I found this powerful testimony in a book written by Rod Handley titled Character
Counts . You may have read or heard it before, but it bears repeating:

The Communion of the Unashamed

Romans 1:16

I am separated from the “Communion of the Unashamed.” I have the power of the Holy
Spirit. The die was cast. I have stepped on the limit. The decision has been made. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I will not look back, slow down, retreat or stand still. My past is
redeemed, my present has meaning, and my future is secure. I have put an end to the low
life, following the sense of sight, short plans, soft knees, colorless dreams, worldly
conversations, stingy offerings and small goals!

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, acclaim or popularity. I

don't need to be right, be first, recognized, praised, considered or rewarded. Now I live
through presence, depend on faith, love through patience, rise through prayer, and work
through power. My step is marked, my march is fast, my goal is heaven, my path is
narrow, my route is hard, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is
clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, diverted, seduced, turned back, diluted or
delayed. I will not hesitate in the face of sacrifice nor will I hesitate in the presence of
adversity; I will not negotiate at the enemy's table or meditate in the pond of popularity,
nor will I enter the labyrinth of mediocrity.

I will not give up or back down; I will not diminish or be silent until I have preached,
prayed, paid, treasured and remained completely for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple

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of Jesus Christ. I must continue until He returns, give until I die, preach until everyone
knows, and work until He comes. And when He comes to take His own, He will have no
problem recognizing me. “My colors will be light.”

CREDIBILITY
The Basis of True Influence

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"Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going; how then can
we know the way? 6 Jesus said to him: I am the way, and the Truth, and the life;
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No one comes to the Father except through me... Do you not believe that I am
in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you, I do not speak
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about myself; but the Father who is in me, he does the works. Believe me that I
am in the Father, and the Father in me; otherwise believe me because of the
works themselves,” ( John 14:5, 6, 10, 11 ).

In the final analysis, having heard profound truths and received great and wonderful
promises, the example of the greatest leader of all is a reminder of where leadership
credibility is to be found. Not so much in words of hope or the promise of a glorious
future, but in the face of doubt and skepticism, the true influence of a leader is preached
by being able to say, “ Believe in me for the work I have done .” Our Lord Jesus
confronted the uncertainty expressed by the apostle Thomas regarding the knowledge of
His destiny with the inescapable reality of the miraculous works He wrought.

As leaders we must be aware that it is often difficult for those who follow to know where
they are going. We must be able to say to them, “ Look where I come from ,” and point
not so much to our reputation as to our works in ministry. Because really the credibility of
leadership is rooted in the past. It is something earned over time. The foundation of
credibility is built brick by brick. Credit and credibility share the same root origin, creed ,
which means “I believe or trust.” And since there can be no leadership without trust, we
must conclude that credibility is an elementary requirement for effective leadership. In
today's society we tend to check the credibility of leaders rather than, like a loan officer,
checking one's own credibility, seeing if they can depend on their word. A true credibility

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check of a church leader should seek answers to questions such as: “Does he have the
enthusiasm to keep people excited along the difficult road to the future?” “Does she
inspire others to make the sacrifices necessary to go all the way?” “Does she have the
ability to take us from where we are to where we would like to be?” “Does he have a
track record of achievement that would give confidence in his abilities?” I believe that if
the answer to these essential questions is yes, then members will be more willing to give
their time, talent and efforts.

What are some of the top qualities we should look for when evaluating a leader's
credibility? We know that when evaluating the credibility of an information source - be it
the president of the country, a salesperson, or a news anchor - we tend to look for criteria
such as trustworthiness, experience, and dynamism. Those who score high in these areas
are considered credible sources of information. However, I agree with the findings of a
study conducted by Kouzes and Posner, and reported in their book, Credibility . In the
chapter titled “Key Characteristics That Identify Admired Leaders,” they say: “The
results of our research over the past decade have been incredibly consistent. Time after
time people sent a clear message about the qualities that leaders must demonstrate if they
wish to participate voluntarily in a common cause and commit themselves to act freely.
They then asked: "What are these essential attributes?" According to our study, most of us
seek out and admire leaders who are honest, forward-thinking, inspiring, and competent.
The results of the 1st studies show below:

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADMIRED LEADERS

1993 RESPONDENT 1987 RESPONDENTS

CHARACTERISTICS % PEOPLE % PEOPLE

SELECTED SELECTED
Honest 87 83

Vision for the future 71 62

Inspirational 68 58
Competent 58 67
Fair 49 40

Support 46 32

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broad mind
Intelligent
Straight
Brave

Trustworthy

I believe that taken one by one, we will find that the characteristics of being honest,
forward-thinking, inspirational, and competent provide consistently useful guidance for
leadership selection, action, and development. Taken together, they communicate a
powerful message, one that offers a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of
leadership.

Again, from their book Credibility , Kouzes and Posner have this to say: To better
understand the behavioral dimension of how admired leaders gain credibility, we ask
people to give us specific examples of what their most admired leaders did to earn
respect. confidence and a willingness to be influenced. In most cases, in the frequently
mentioned behaviors, the leader was said to:
• I support
E He had the courage to do the right thing
Q He challenged me

E Showed up and acted as a mentor to others

Q Heard

Q He praised the good work

Q Completed his commitments

Q He trusted me

Q Trained others

Q He had time for people

Q Shared the vision

Q It opened doors

Q He conquered his personal sorrows

Q He admitted his mistakes

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• Advised others
E Solved problems creatively
Q He taught well

This list reflects the words people use to describe how they felt working with leaders they
admire. In fact, the vast majority of actions have to do with making the voter the center of
attention. They are about serving others and helping others feel important, not about
making the leader look important. They refer to giving power to others, not to taking over
power.

The conclusion we draw from our interviews and case analysis is that credibility, respect,
and loyalty are earned primarily when leaders demonstrate through their actions that they
believe in the inherent value of others. They are earned by appreciating, affirming and
developing others.”

Christian leaders have the special challenge of serving, supporting, and establishing
strong relationships with those to whom they provide leadership. They cannot be like
leaders in the world who are least likely to have essential values and ethics that place
people above all else. No wonder our Lord Jesus, when referring to the leaders of the
world, gave us a rather strong warning: “… It will not be so among you .” Contrary to the
people-first requirement, there are many leaders who may have loyal followers and strong
beliefs about appropriate conduct, but who cannot be qualified as credible leaders. In this
sense, leaders such as Charles Manson, Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Stalin, Jim Jones and
David Koresh could not be considered anything other than evil. On the other hand,
Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Ghandi, to name
just a few, would be considered trustworthy leaders.

Trustworthy leaders value people, all people, and continually learn to appreciate and
affirm diversity. It is impossible to have biblical credibility if you exhibit traits of
hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness. Sometimes we forget the strong testimony of the
apostle Paul when he said: “ I became to the Jews as a Jew, that I might win the Jews; to
those who are subject to the law (although I am not subject to the law) as subject to the
law, to win those who are subject to the law; to those who are without law, as if I were
without law (not being without the law of God, but in the law of Christ), to win those who

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were without law. I have made myself weak to the weak, to win the weak; I have become
everything to all, so that I may save someone from every point” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).

In this passage, Paul has expressed one of the most crucial biblical principles, and it is
this: Those Individuals with the clearest personal values that reflect a passion for the lost,
are best prepared to make principled choices. Managers seek profits and Christian leaders
develop a great passion for lost and wounded humanity. Jesus said it this way: “ For the
Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Leaders in the political and business world establish credibility primarily through
achievements even when they have used questionable ethics. In contrast, Christian leaders
establish credibility as a direct consequence of values that put people above all else,
including organizational values. This type of leadership example requires Christian
leaders to recognize and be honest about the fact that they do not have all the answers, to
admit that they are not always in control, and that they are vulnerable. In doing this, these
leaders are not afraid to embrace their mistakes and ask what can be learned from them.
They look ahead and wonder what the world will be like in the future, especially if the
vision they have is fulfilled. And they fight for their values, particularly in light of
changes in people's moral and social values.

Trustworthy leaders first discover themselves and then appreciate the diversity of others.
First they find their own energy and talent, And then they find it in others. From time to
time, this energy and human talent need to be refreshed. And credibility also needs it.
Renewing credibility is a constant human struggle and the fundamental challenge of
leadership.

ABILITY
The Ability to Turn Your Words into Action

“ But you will receive power from the Holy Spirit who will come upon you; and you will
be me
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth ."
(Acts 1:8)

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I am convinced that there are only a few keys to successful ministry. One of the
indispensable characteristics of a ministry that transforms lives is leadership.

The most frequently asked question concerning the church in our time is, “Why does the
church in America have so many problems?” One possible answer could be because we
don't have visionary leaders fighting for the cause. We know that vision is the center of a
successful ministry. But I am convinced that in general, when a pastor's leadership gift is
the dominant factor in the ministry, churches are more likely to be dynamic and
impactful.

Which of the gifts that pastors possess today? According to Barna, pastors generally have
gifts that tend to be selective, with most pastors claiming to have a singular or primary
gift. Surprisingly, a detailed study of more than 1,000 Protestant and evangelical pastors
revealed that the gift of leadership was not the primary factor demanded by the majority
of pastors. In his book, Pastors Today, George Barna gives the following interesting
characterization of various gifts:

And Equipping Gifts: Preaching, teaching and discipleship.

And Gifts of transformation: pastor, evangelism.
And Gifts of relationship: exhortation, encouragement, mercy, counseling, hospitality.
And Strategic gifts: administration, leadership.
And Gifts of support: faith, offering, help, prayer, music, service.
And Gifts of signs: prophecy, knowledge, tongues, interpretation, wisdom, healing.

The results of the study suggest that pastors who have the gift of leadership tend to have
the best experience in the role of pastor. Compared to pastors without the gift or where
the gift of leadership was not fully developed, those with the gift of leadership had the
highest level of satisfaction with their ministry as well as the highest level of satisfaction
as a result of their ministry. Compared to pastors with other gifts, those with the gift of
leadership had the lowest level of stress as compared to pastors with other gifts, those
with the gift of leadership had the lowest level of stress as a result of their ministry
efforts.

Pastors who are gifted as leaders tend to become leaders of large churches. The church

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typically has a sense of direction, a common vision for the future, a deeper level of
commitment to fulfilling that vision.

Today's pastors are expected to have many skills. Pastors must therefore function using
their leadership gifts. Pastors with elementary gifts in the areas of relationship and
support should not serve as senior pastor of a congregation.

We must initiate a major change in the position and expectations of pastors by revising
their job descriptions. Consider the benefits of deviating from a perspective in which we
see the pastor as the expert and primary member in all areas of ministry. And consider the
benefits where the pastor's primary function is to lead the congregation in such a way that
they are guided, equipped, and encouraged to engage in ministry.

Creating a new model for a new era.

How should we identify and accomplish the task of training pastors to lead? Step one —
identify leaders, prepare them to lead, evaluate the leader, and form a support system for
the leader.

In reality, the entire church must begin by recognizing and dealing with the difference
between education and training .

Education typically refers to the passing of knowledge and the development of thought
process or ways of thinking.

Training is used to develop skills and perspectives that are converted into practical
applications, thus facilitating change. There needs to be a clear balance between training
and education.

We must all work to bring about change in the congregation's expectations regarding the
pastor's duties. No matter how skilled, how loving, how intelligent, or how experienced a
pastor may be, if the congregation's expectations are different from the pastor's approach
to ministry, he is destined for failure and frustration.

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Pastors, especially, must work to reform the expectations of the congregation. If a pastor
allows himself to be perceived as the dominant minister, and even worse as the only
minister, the chances that members will feel a strong desire and be motivated to engage in
the work of the church are minimal. It is important for the pastor to instill in the people
the understanding that Christian leadership is service in practice. Its primary function is to
give the body direction, motivation, example, and spiritual depth in the conduct of the
ministry of the church. A practical and reasonable approach is for the pastor to present
himself as the captain of a team where each member has a vital responsibility in carrying
out the united ministry.

So how exactly do you change people's expectations and positions from one of just
watching the pastor do ministry to being inspired to get up from their pews and do
something for God? Through leadership that consistently focuses on the importance of a
personal commitment to Jesus Christ through personal holiness and acts of service. One
without the other is an incomplete faith. It takes time to build a team. A team mentality
does not arise spontaneously within a local church. A leader must instill vision and work
hard to cultivate an environment where members feel they are valued enough to make a
contribution.
The primary step in changing a congregation's attitude toward ministering responsibly is
for the pastor and members to treat spiritual gifts seriously. The gifts are mentioned
specifically in the context of a blended body so that people with different gifts can
increase each person's participation in the work of the Kingdom. The experience of the
early or New Testament church as a consequence of the full exercise of the gifts is
strikingly different from that of many of our local churches, where the gifts receive
virtually no attention. No one can deny, however, that the impact of the early church on
their world was far greater than what we are experiencing in the United States today.
Perhaps it is time for the church to rediscover the full potential of the body of Christ for
ministry. Discovering, affirming, and releasing gifted members of the body heralds the
beginning of an exciting new era for our church.

Pastors who are leaders will accept the challenge of continually equipping themselves and
the members of the congregation. These pastors will see it as their essential task to
continually develop their congregation's capacity to put shared values into practice. They

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realize that gifted members of the congregation cannot minister effectively unless they
have the power, nor can they do what they do not know how to do. As a leader, the pastor
recognizes that his credibility and that of the local church is fairly measured by his work –
transforming words into effective action. The influence of the church in the community
will only extend when the pastor invests in the congregation by increasing its ability to
make and fulfill its promises, thus building the credibility of the leader.

Unleashing the potential of local church members for ministry has moved from a state of
curious experimentation to what is now a proven church growth strategy and a necessary
requirement for a dynamic local church. Alvin Toffler in his book Powershift, said the
following regarding this dynamic: “The old division of a firm (church) into 'heads' and
'hands' (clergy and laity) no longer works... the burden of knowledge and even more
importantly, the burden of decision, are being redistributed. In a continuous cycle of
learning, unlearning, and learning again, workers (members) need to master new
techniques, adapt to new organizational forms, and find new ideas.”

In order to develop the capacity of the congregation to maximize their gifts and thus
transform words into action, leaders must ensure that educational opportunities exist for
individual members to increase their knowledge and skills. Leaders gain credibility by
fulfilling their promise that everyone is a leader. The myth says that leadership is a
function of position. No way. Leadership is primarily a gift from God that is refined as
the individual acquires new skills and puts into practice what he learns.

Power is an important concept but one that is often misunderstood as something that
leaders magically do or give to others. What is often called empowering is a matter of
removing chains and setting people free. In reality, the investment of power depends on a
number of factors, mainly capacity, trust, election, climate and communication. These are
five essential elements that create the church's ability to empower members so that
everyone can act in a free and responsible manner. We can see that leadership ability is
the basic requirement and ranks first on the list. It is no longer possible to ignore the skill
AND capacity of our leaders. In practice, therefore, our basic philosophy of ministry
should be education, education, education. We have only just begun.

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COMMITMENT
How to Finish Well

“And I thank him who strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, that he counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Having previously been a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insulter; but I was
received with mercy because I did it in ignorance in unbelief.
But the grace of our Lord was more abundant with the faith and love that is in Christ
Jesus.
Faithful word worthy of being received by all: that Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners, of whom I am the first.
But for this reason I was received into mercy, so that Jesus Christ might first show in me
all his clemency, as an example of those who speak of believing in him for eternal life.
Therefore, to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, to the only wise God be honor and
glory forever and ever. Amen”, (1 Timothy 1:12-17).

Few people, in my opinion, enter ministry with plans to leave it right away. Robert
Clinton, in The Making of a Leader, said this:

''Not all leaders end well. I have observed four patterns regarding the response
of leaders to the process in the ministry development stage.” These patterns
include:

1. Retired - quite a bit.

2. Leaders who reached their limit - most leaders.
3. Disciplined - a few.
4. Those who continue to grow and finish well - some

What gives a ministry staying power? The word for me is credibility. The more
trustworthy you are, the longer you stay, the more successful your ministry will be. The
less trustworthy you are, the longer you stay, the less successful your ministry will be -
generally resulting in low morale. Even more common are leaders who become bitter and
frustrated, harboring hurt feelings from the belief that they were victims of wrongdoing.

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How can you really evaluate whether or not someone's ministry is successful? In my
experience, it is the degree to which the leader or minister has multiplied his or her vision
and reached out to others who are committed to a common cause. The old saying that
“We teach what we know, we reproduce what we are” is therefore a key consideration.
Any leader who fails to replicate other leaders who are possessed with a common passion
and commitment to a mission is inviting disillusionment and frustration.

In a very real sense, the leader who leads alone is destined to fear having to finish, and
will be left without the satisfaction of seeing the continuation of his vision. It is not
enough for a leader to have a personal commitment to a vision, but for successful leaders
to adapt what is now called a "commitment" style - one that brings people along for the
ride. In The Challenge of Leadership Kouzes and Poner say this : “Leadership that
focuses on a style of compromise is what biblical scholars now call “transformational
leadership.”

I receive great comfort from the ministerial example of our Lord Jesus and the disciples
He chose. Many of the disciples entered the ministry being even older than the Lord
Himself. By the time they left the stage, they were certainly older than the Lord was when
He died. Except for the one who betrayed him, everyone remained faithful until the end -
they were there no matter what.

Let's look closely at the mission of Jesus. It could be explained in four simple verbs. He
came, he chose, he died and he left. Our Lord's mission is beautifully expressed by the
apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:16. This is said to be an ancient hymn, and is also believed to
have been one of the hymns used by the early church:

“ And without contradiction, great is the mystery of piety: God has been manifested in the
flesh; has been justified with the Spirit; has been seen by angels; It has been preached to
the Gentiles; has been believed in the world; has been received up in glory ”, (RV 1909).

“ And without a doubt, great is the mystery of piety: God was manifested in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed in the world,
received up in glory ,” (RV 1960).

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This is a great example of commitment to a cause, of staying in the race, of finishing well.

In the process of sending His disciples (the twelve), Jesus outlined the main
characteristics of the ministry that leads to permanence in power. Luke records this
significant event as follows:

“ And gathering his twelve disciples, he gave them virtue and power over all demons, and
to heal diseases.
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
And he said to them: Take nothing for the journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor
money; nor have two dresses each.
And whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave there.
And as many as do not receive you, leaving that city, shake off even the dust from your
feet as a testimony against them.
And they went out and went around to all the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing
everywhere ," (Luke 9:1-6).

The above passage and that when Jesus sent out seventy of His disciples as recorded in
Luke 10, highlight the sense of responsibility that the disciples demonstrated in reporting
their success to Jesus. This development has always served to inform me of some key
aspects of leadership. Below I cite some of the key factors for achieving genuine
commitment to a mission, and remaining in power in ministry given by Jesus in chapter 9.
There are four factors:

1. Essential equipment - v. 2.
2. Realistic advice - vs. 3-5
3. Public opinion - vs. 7-9.
4. Personal responsibility- vs. 10, 11.

Let's examine each of these factors in greater detail.

Essential equipment – power and authority – no one can remain in ministry without this.
There are six words in the Greek New Testament that are translated “power” in various
Spanish translations. The two main words are dunamis and exousia . “Power” can be used

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when talking about the engines in an airplane. or “power” can be used to convey the idea
of authority. We can think of it this way – the police officer, with his hands raised in front
of the approaching van, can be said to be “powerful.” However, we can see that his power
in relation to the truck lies more in his “authority”.

We should note that Jesus gave his disciples power and authority, not over others, but
over all demons and to heal diseases. They also were to “preach the kingdom of God, and
heal the sick.” Jesus recognized the importance for ministry of having a balance between
proclamation and execution. Credibility demands a balance between the words and deeds
of the ministry. Jesus wanted to ensure that His disciples would be clearly distinguished
from the Pharisees, who, although they did not tell lies, simply did not do what they said
they were going to do.

Take a good look at your equipment. Is it essential, and are power, authority, and words
backed by deeds?

Realistic Advice —Jesus was not implying that His followers would live on nothing, as
some would have you believe. Instead, I think he was saying to beware of overloading,
and not to get too attached to things. Our Lord knew how much pain and suffering
awaited the minister who had a possessive mentality instead of conforming to the
principles of stewardship.

In short, Jesus was telling us that we must wake up and be brave, freeing ourselves from
excess burden.

Public Opinion —Herod the Tetrarch was perplexed by the stories about Jesus. It was
probably Herod's past that bothered him, particularly when he heard that John, whom he
had beheaded, had risen from the dead. Luke 23:8 tells us: “When Herod saw Jesus, he
was greatly pleased, because he had long wanted to see him; because I had heard many
things about him, and I had hope that I would see him do some sign.”

We are told that Herod had many questions he wanted to ask Jesus. Jesus' response was
interesting: " He answered him nothing ." This, in my opinion, means that the cynic or

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skeptic does not deserve an answer. As leaders, we must fight based on who we are, and
not so much on what people are saying. We need to follow God's leading, keep a sensitive
heart, walk humbly before Him, walk cautiously before others but not be too amazed at
what they are saying, good or bad.

Credibility requires leaders to be real, authentic, committed to Scripture in a way that

gives the greatest attention to God's opinion. The others will make you deviate - they will
inflate or deflate you if you are not careful.

Personal Responsibility —When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they
had experienced in the ministry. An evaluation with those who are more senior or
experienced will help one stay in order and give constant power. Respect for ministry is
directly related to the level of visible responsibility. Too many leaders today are afraid to
form relationships with other ministers to whom they must answer.

In his excellent book The Bride, under the title, “The Essential Value of Responsibility,”
Charles Swindoll wrote:

" Recently, it was encouraging to hear from a minister who meets once a week
with a small group of men. They are committed to each other to watch over their
purity. They pray together And for each other. They talk openly and honestly
about their struggles, weaknesses, temptations, and trials. In addition to these
things, they look into each other's eyes, and

“ask and answer at least seven specific questions.”

I will leave it to you to find out the exact nature of these questions; However, I would like
to share with you question number seven – “Did you just lie to me?” Inviting evaluation
from those you trust and respect can be harsh and even painful. True responsibility to
others will help the leader grow and not just survive. The dictionary defines responsibility
as “subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; being responsible or
having to answer to someone.” We are deceiving ourselves if we think we can run the
Christian race of faith alone. Scripture clearly shows us that God designed us to have

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relationships with one another. There are certainly times when the leader must walk alone
and be a shining light to the world when possibly no one else will join him. But we need a
refuge person who is committed to helping restore us, equip us, and teach us to walk the
path He has set before us.

I listened to Brother Eugene Weakley's presentation during the 1995 Evangelism

Conference series as he concluded his presentation with an illustration that I noted as
“Going with the Geese.” Larry Holman was so struck by this illustration that he was
moved to include it in his book on leadership. The following is an excerpt from Larry's
book:

“ Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter... flying together in a V
formation, maybe consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way .”

HABIT: With a flap of its wings each goose creates a lift for the flock that follows. All
birds receive a 71 percent greater flight range flying in a V formation than if they flew
alone.
MORAL: Individuals who share a common direction and sense of community can reach
their destination more quickly and easily by traveling by pushing each other forward.

HABIT: A goose emerging from formation suddenly feels the drag and resistance of
flying alone. He returns to formation as soon as possible to continue the smooth flight
with the lift he receives from the bird in front of him.

MORAL: If we are sensitive like geese, we will remain in formation with those who are
going where we wish to go. We will be willing to accept your help and make our help
available to others.

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HABIT: When the lead goose gets tired, it goes to the back of the formation, allowing
another goose to fly into first position.

MORAL: It is to everyone's advantage to share leadership. People, like geese, depend on

the skills, energy, and experiences of others.

HABIT: Geese flying behind honk to encourage leaders to maintain their speed.

MORAL: Squawking needs to be encouraged. The level of production is raised in groups

where encouragement is offered. Upholding the values and supporting those of the group
provides the kind of encouragement we need.
HABIT: When a goose gets sick or injured, a pair of geese leaves formation and follows
to offer help and protection. They remain with the goose until it dies or recovers. They
then join another formation or catch up with the original flock.

MORAL: If we are as intelligent and sensitive as geese, we would help each other in good
times and bad.

Below I cite some of the goals that will measure your commitments, and therefore your
ability to finish well. Remember that leaders are the enemy's special target.

1. Maintain a vibrant personal relationship with God until the end.

2. Maintain a learning stance and seek to learn from various sources - life especially.
3. Always try to demonstrate Christ-likeness in His character (genuine holiness – so that
others will want to be around you)
4. Live the truth daily and adhere to your convictions, allowing others to see that God's
promises are real.

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5. Leave a legacy of vision and faith in the men and women closest to you.

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END OF COURSE TEST

NAME:…………………………………………………… PLACE:………………
DATE: ……………… TEACHER:…………………………………………….

1. What is the attitude of a congregation regarding the issue of leadership?

2. What are the 5 most important qualities of a leader?

a. ……………………………………………….
b. ……………………………………………….
c. ……………………………………………….
d. ……………………………………………….
e. ……………………………………………….
3. Why doesn't what worked before work today?
a. ……………………………………………………………………………………
b. ……………………………………………………………………………………
c. ……………………………………………………………………………………
d. ……………………………………………………………………………………
e. ……………………………………………………………………………………
f. ……………………………………………………………………………………
g. ……………………………………………………………………………………
h. ……………………………………………………………………………………
4. Write a sentence for leadership:
5. Why is character the foundation of ministry?

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6. What are the 10 statements about leadership that Charles Swindoll makes in his book
“The Bride”
a. ……………………………………………………………………
b. ……………………………………………………………………
c. ……………………………………………………………………
d. ……………………………………………………………………
e. ……………………………………………………………………
f. ……………………………………………………………………
g. ……………………………………………………………………
h. ……………………………………………………………………
i. ……………………………………………………………………
j. ……………………………………………………………………

7. What are the qualities of the following biblical leaders?

a. Enoch... ………………………………………………………
b. David ... ………………………………………………………
c. Abraham ... ………………………………………………………
d. Moses ……………………………………………………………
e. Noah ……………………………………………………………
f. Daniel . .. ………………………………………………………
g. Job ……………………………………………………………
h. Esteban ... ………………………………………………………
i. Barnabas ……………………………………………………………
j. Pablo ... ………………………………………………………
8. What is credibility?

9. What are some of the top qualities we should look for when evaluating a leader's
credibility?

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10. What are the characteristics of admired leaders?

11. What are the common behaviors mentioned about admired leaders?
a. ……………………… m. ………………………
b. ……………………… n. ………………………
c. ………………………
d. ………………………
e. ………………………
f. ………………………
g. ………………………
h. ………………………
i. ………………………
j. ………………………
k. ………………………
l. ………………………
12. What is capacity?
13. What are the characteristics of the following gifts?
a. Equipment gifts:…………………………………………………………..
b. Gifts of transformation: ………………………………………………………..
c. Relationship gifts: ………………………………………………………..
d. Strategic gifts: ………………………………………………………..
e. Support gifts: ………………………………………………………..

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f. Sign gifts: ………………………………………………………..

14. What is the primary step in changing a congregation's attitude toward ministering
responsibly?

15. What is commitment? And what text best summarizes this commitment?

16. What are the four patterns of leaders' response to the process in the ministry
development stage?
a. ……………………………………………………………….
b. ………………………………………………………………..
c. ………………………………………………………………..
d. ………………………………………………………………..
17. What gives a ministry staying power?

18. Summarize or make a synoptic table of the author's analysis of Luke 10:1-11

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19. Write the moral to the following habits:

a. HABIT: With a flap of its wings each goose creates a lift for the flock that
follows. All birds receive a 71 percent greater flight range flying in a V formation
than if they flew alone.
MORAL:……………………………………………………………………

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b. HABIT: When the lead goose gets tired, it goes to the back of the formation,
allowing another goose to fly into first position.
MORAL:……………………………………………………………………

c. HABIT: When a goose gets sick or injured, a pair of geese leaves formation and
follows to offer help and protection. They remain with the goose until it dies or
recovers. They then join another formation or catch up with the original flock.
MORAL:……………………………………………………………………

20. What are the goals that will measure your commitments and therefore your ability to
finish well?

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