There is a crying need for leaders in the Kingdom of God. Therefore leadership training is an essential part of what the Church should do. This leadership course concentrate on central areas of the subject Christian Leadership.
False and genuine leadership
Dominating Leaders
-The Nicolaittes. Rev 2:14-15. The name of the leader of this sect – Nikolaus – means victorious, triumphant over the people. A distinct division between clerics and laity. A leader should be gentle, loving and caring.
-Diotrephes. 3 John 9-11a. We are warned against dominating leaders filled with pride.
-Peter’s warning. 1 Pet. 5:1-4. A leader should lead through a serving example, he, not by ruling and acting like a boss.
-True leadership. Math. 20:20-28. Is not occupied with positions, but with serving.
-Ezek. 34:1-16. God is our pattern.
The contrast between true and dominating leadership
True Leader | Dominating Leaders |
Exercise influence from WITHIN through encouraging, inspiring and motivating. | Controls from WITHOUT through restrictions, rules and regulations. |
Has a good relation with his co-workers and shows respect for the individual. Works together with his co-workers against long term plans taking the development of the co-worker into consideration. Aiming at making himself redundant. Estimates the single worker. Encourages and commends instead of criticizing. Seeks to strengthen the co-worker, encouraging feedback, shares the honor for success. Always willing to explain decisions and the reason for them. Gives the single person freedom, encourages ideas and participation. Is a “heart-person” who is caring for others. | Relates to co-workers according to the attitude: ”I am up here, you are down there”. Demands immediate results, even if it ruins the potential of the co-worker. Creates an atmosphere where his sub-ordinates remain dependant upon him. Has a condescending attitude against the workers. Criticizes mistakes. Seeks to rule the co-worker, takes the honor for all successes, does not allow any positive criticism of the leader. Takes questions as personal criticism and lack of loyalty. Limits the freedom of the individual, takes all the decisions, no training.
Is a ”head-person” that is occupied with himself. |
The calling of a leader
The Necessity
John. 1,6. If you want to succeed as a Christian leader you must start with a calling from God. Jer. 23:21.32. 27:15.
God rejects false leaders.
Self-appointed leaders. Korah – Numbers 16&17.
-He made others rebel against the existing spiritual leadership.
-He openly criticizes the person in leadership.
-He accuses the leader for things in which he himself was guilty. 16:3
-He was not satisfied with the position in which he had been put.
-He continued to grumble. 16:11
Leaders appointed by men. Saul. 1.Sam. 8:11
Leaders appointed by God. Paul. 1.Tim.1:12-17.
Our Response to God’s calling
Moses is called
His younger years – his own power. Acts. 7:23-25
The dessert university – learning humility.
The burning bush. Ex 3:1-11
The feeling of being unworthy. Ex.3:1.
Fear of being rejected. Ex.3:13-16
Disbelief. Ex.4:1.
Lacking abilities. (ability to speak) Ex.4:10
Feeling of inferiority. Ex. 4:13
Lacking fruit in his life. Ex. 5:21-22
Jeremiah is called
His tribulations – he needed a strong calling.
The word of the Lord. Jer. 1:4-10
Excuses. A youngster with problems to express himself. 1:6. Fear. 1:8-9
Gideon is called
The Angel of the Lord. Judge. 6:11-12
Six excuses:
-The conditions he lived under 6:13
-Disbelief and frustration 6:13
-No miracles. 6:13
-Inferiority. 6:15
-Family background. 6:15
-I am too young. 6:1
God’s answer: 6:16, 6:34
Heart qualifications for a Christian leader
A leader must keep his heart pure
That is the source of all attitudes and acts.
Prov. 4:23. Phil. 4:7
It is the source of all we speak.
Math. 12:34b-35
In order for it not to be defiled – heresy and fanaticism.
Mark. 7:14-23
A leader must have a father’s heart 1.Cor.4:15
The father’s heart of Jesus
Compassion. Math. 9:35-36
Care. Math. 9:11-13
Willingness. Math. 8:1-3
Humility. Phil. 2:5-10
Warmth. Luke. 10:38-42. John. 12:1-8
Forgiveness. Luke. 15:32. John.8:11
Self-sacrifice. John. 10:15
Serving. John.13:14
A father’s gentleness
1.Thes.2:7. 2.Tim.2:24. Tit.3:2. Jac.3:17. 2.Cor.10:1. Gal.5:22
A father’s correction and admonition
Eph.6:4. Acts.20:31. 1.Cor.4:14. 1.Thes.5:12
The father’s heart of Paul – balance
To discipline and admonish Discipline-1.Cor.5:1-8 Reproof- 1.Cor.11:17 Chastisement-2.Cor.7:8 Correction-2.Cor.13:1-2 Openheartedness-Gal.3:1-3 Accountability-Phil.1:24 | To love and protect Responsibility-1.Cor.4:15 Love-2.Cor.2:4 Relation-2.Cor.6:11-13 Gentleness-2.Cor.10:1 Restoration-Gal.6:1-2 Compasion-Phil.3:18 |
A leader must have a servant’s heart.
A slave of love. Deut.15:1-23
The servant who is greatest. Math.20:20-28. 23:11
Jesus as a servant
Luke. 12:37
Luke. 22:27
John. 13
Mark. 10:43
John. 12:24-26
Phil. 2:8
A leader must have a Shepard’s heart.
God is the Great Shepard.
Psalm 23:1. Psalm 80:1. Ezek.34:11ff. Is. 40:11. Psalm 77:21.
Jesus as the Good Shepard
John. 10. Hebr. 13:20. 1 Pet.2:25. 1.Pet.5:4
The Shepard is watching
Acts.20:28-31. Hebr.13:17
The Shepard is protecting
Psalm 121:3 John.17:11
The Shepard is leading
Gen.33:9-15
Meekness, sensibility, friendliness, full of attention, patient.
Being a hireling vs. Being a Shepard
The Hireling | The Shepard |
Labors only for money Mt.20:7Has no heart for the people Leaves when trouble comes. Jer.46:21 Is unfaithful towards his master. Feeds himself, and not the sheep Ezek. 34:3 Neglects the sheep Lacks mercy- Ezek. 34:4 Is harsh, cruel and forceful Scatters the sheep Is not willing to make personal sacrifices- Ezek. 34:2 Is ambitious for position, but avoids responsibility Does not take time to bind up the sheep’s wounds Dominates the sheep Does not care about the sheep’s needs Produces unfruitfulness in the sheep | Labors out of love Has a heart for the people Gives this life for the sheep. John. 10:11 Faithfully serves his master. Feeds the sheep Tenderly cares for the sheep Is full of mercy Leads the people wisely Unites the sheep Is always willing to make personal sacrifices Is not oriented to position, but has a servant’s heart Binds the brokenhearted and heals the bruised Leads the sheep lovingly Discerns needs of the sheep Cause the sheep to be fruitful |
Character traits of a leader
If you repeat an act, you create a habit. If you follow a habit, you create a character. If you live out a character, you create a destiny.
Andre Maurois
If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself.
D.L. Moody
The gifts of the Spirit are given by grace, but the development of a character takes time and personal efforts.
God’s intention with men:
– Gen.1:26-28- Have dominion.
– Math. 5:48. 2.Cor.13:9. Eph. 4:13. 2.Tim. 3:17.- Be perfect
– Gal. 4:19 – To have Christ formed in us
– 2 Pet. 1:3 – To honor and glorify God
Definition of ‘Character’
-The Character is the seat of a person’s moral side.
-The Character is the inner life of a man.
-The Character is the combination of the qualities that characterizes us.
-Our Character shows itself in the way we react when whe are put under pressure.
-The Character is the sum of the positive and the negative sides in our life.
Character is a perfectly educated will.
Novalis
The word Character in Greek:: charasso
Carving, engraving, image. Hebr. 1:3
When God develops our character
2 Pet. 1:1-11
Be partakers of divine nature and great promises
Maturity of the divine nature
Zeal, faith, honorable life, knowledge, self-discipline
Endurance, fear of God, brotherly care and love
The faithfulness of God
Phil. 1:6. Psalm 32:3-4. Hebr. 10:32. Psalm 18:30
Psalm 12:6. Psalm 119:67. Hebr. 12:7
Hidden sins
The purpose of God’s dealings
Be formed after the image of Jesus. 2.Cor.3:18
Cleanse us
That we might bear much fruit
Prepare us for ministry. 2.Tim.2:19-21
Give us a new spiritual perspective. 2.Cor.4:16-18
Endurance
1 Thes.1:1-5. Hebr.12:5-7. 1.Cor.10:13
Important character qualities of a leader
Integrity Have the same spirit and burden as his spiritual leader Faithfulness Devoted to the church Right motives A shepherd’s heart Stability The ability to get along with people Deliberation in making decisions A lover and enjoyer of other people Not dominating Gracious Not a respecter of person A servant’s heart Not a busybody | Guards a secret Spirit of sacrifice Does not require a salary of the Church Successful in a secular job Lives consistently with Bible principles Not addicted to the goods of this world Good habits Doer of the Word Teachable spirit Receives correction and changes Supportive, not competitive toward others Submissive spirit Humble heart Transparent, open and honest nature |
Written & taken by permission of Dr. Leif S. Jacobsen , http://www.theword.no/engelsk/indexE.htm
