Essentials Of The Faith / Adult Sunday School Class / Christian Leadership

Leadership and Character

SECTION FOUR: THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE LEADERS

QUESTION: What  characteristics make Christian leadership unique? In what distinctive ways does    following Christ mark leadership? These are the two questions we will attempt to answer   in this section.

I. Right Priorities

      There is a kind of leadership which is Christian and which unbelievers can talk about but never accomplish. Christian leadership is different from other kinds of leadership because no Christian   leader can assume the position of being "number one," that is, the leader. This is true because those who believe in Christ know there is only one "Number One," namely, the Lord Jesus Christ.

      The chief characteristic of a Christian leader must be submission to Christ, and only those who    have learned that submission is key can be effective Christian leaders.

NOTE: The word 'learned'.

       The chief prerequisite for being recognized as a leader in the body of Christ is to be a proven  follower of the Head of the body. Paradoxically the Christian leader must be the ultimate follower. When this prerequisite is present, people will follow even when they may not fully agree.

NOTE: The word 'proven'.

       The chief perception  a leader must have is a clearly defined awareness of the Lord's revealed purposes.

NOTE: The word 'awareness'.

        -He must be aware of what the ultimate Leader (JC) wants.
        -He must be aware of the place God's Word has in all of life.
        -He must be aware that God seeks to accomplish His truth, love, and righteousness in and thru His followers.

       The chief attitudes that must be evident in a leader are Truth, Love, and Righteousness and these must be evidenced in the leader's character, behavior, and  relationships if he is to expect other believers to respond to him as their leader.

NOTE: The word 'evident'.

Question:  What do the noted words 'learned, proven, awareness, evident' reveal about the characteristics of  Christian
                  leadership?
                                  -It is something developed.
                                   -It is a maturing process.
                                   -It is recognized by others and worked on by the leader.

Question:  Is this something  you see often in the church? Individuals who are working to 'learn, to be proven, to have an
                  awareness and who evidence' leadership characteristics?   Think about it now, is this evident in your life?

II. Integrity/Character

       We need leaders who display Christian Character today.  Leaders who are more concerned about their integrity than their image.

Question: Is there a difference between 'Image' and 'Integrity'? If so, what is it?

Image: Saying the right words, carrying the right credentials, helping people with their problems, looking good, dressed to
            perfection and having each hair in place, working so that people will have a certain 'picture' of you when they see or
            think of you'. Image is primarily 'exterior'. What people can clearly see with their eyes.

Integrity: Equals character. It is something each one of us must build for himself. Integrity/Character is the total of thousands of
              small daily strivings to live up to the  image of Christ within us. Integrity/Character is the final decision to reject
              whatever is not honoring to JC and the confidence and honesty to choose that which will reflect JC to those around
              you. Integrity/character is primarily 'interior'. What people sense and feel. Image should never take the place of  nor is
              it a substitute for integrity/character.  A person whose leadership is built solely on image will ultimately fail.  A person
              whose leadership is built with character, with integrity will last as lifetime.

III. Good Reputation/Respect

Question:  What does it mean to 'respect' someone?
                  What does it mean to have a 'good reputation'?

      Having a good reputation is an indispensable factor in succeeding in ministry.

ILL: A study  revealed the difference between top salesmen and average ones was not talent, but   reputation.  No one likes to do business with someone they don't respect.

       The common mistake most people make is thinking that reputation is a matter of "image." They worry themselves with questions like "How do I look?" or "Did I say the right thing?" To build a long-term good reputation, you must focus on your character on integrity, not your image And respect must be earned.  The Bible identifies six character qualities found in people who are  respected by others:

1. Respect Is Earned Thru Integrity
    Read: Prov. 10:9
    Question: How is respect earned according to this text?

2. Respect Is Earned Thru Humility
    Read: Prov. 13:18, Prov. 29:23
    Question: How is respect earned according to these text?

3. Respect Is Earned Thru Dependability.
    Read: Psalm 15:4-5, Prov. 25:15
    Question: How is respect earned according to these text?

4. Respect Is Earned Thru Having Right Priorities.
    Read: Prov. 11:27, Prov. 14:22
    Question: How is respect earned according to this text?

5. Respect Is Earned Thru Generosity.
    Read: Psalm 112:9
    Question: How is respect earned according to this text?

6. Respect Is Earned Thru Putting God First In Your Life.
    Read: Prov. 3:4-6
    Question: How is respect earned according to this text?

Summary:
-God looks for people whose heart is right toward Him and who will look to Him  for  leadership.
-God looks for a person who will point the people to Him.
-Then as they listen together attentively to the Lord, Christ is able to lead and  guide His church  to be anything He intends the
  local congregation to be.
-People want to be able to respect their leaders.
-Leaders ought to desire a good reputation so that others will respect them.
    -To puff them up? No! To lead others to Christ.

IV. The Character of a Christian Leader will display

1. A willingness to point others to God.
     -Certain leaders are remembered for the way they guided God's people to follow them.
        -Moses: Deut. 6:4-12
        -Joshua: Josh. 24:14-16
        -Samuel: 1 Sam. 12:20-24
        -David: 1 Chron. 16:7-11

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

2. A sense of urgency
     -Jesus expressed a sense of urgency over the condition of God's people.
     -(Matt. 9:35-37)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

3. A life of genuine and intense prayer.
     -In a time of crisis, a leader falls on his knees in genuine and intense prayer.
     -A leader is an intercessor on behalf of God's people under his care.
     -Prayer is the first priority of a leaders work strategy.
     -(Matt. 10:38)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

4. An unconditional relationship to Jesus as Lord.
     -Spiritual leaders must be in an intimate love relationship with Jesus as Sovereign Lord of their lives.
     -(Matt. 10:1)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

5. An awareness of accountability to God.
     -You did not choose God as your master. He choose you as His servant. As  God calls you to  lead  in the church you have
       an accountability to God for your leadership.
     -Leaders must not be swayed by every wind of opposition, opinion or pressure for others. Your ultimate accountability is to
       JC Himself. You must choose to please God rather than man.

Question:  What do you think about that? Is it true?

     -(Matt. 10:1,8)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

6. A clear demonstration of spiritual authority.
     -Spiritual authority is abused in our day.
     -A spiritual leader goes forth for God in a spirit of humility. He goes forward in the power and authority of JC, who is
       present in and at work through the leader.
     -(Matt. 10:1,8)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

7. Absolute faith, trust and confidence in God.
     -A spiritual leader must always remember that God will provide for him.
     -A God called leader never needs to be tentative, hopeless or despairing in the middle of a crisis.  -God will provide.
    -(Matt. 10:9-10)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

8. A God given sense of direction.
     -When God sends out leaders, He directs their ways. He sends them on His terms.
     -(Matt. 10: 5-7, 11-16)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

9. A clear commitment to the cost of leadership.
  -There is a great cost to be a spiritual leader.
  -You may not win a popularity contest.
     -Please God and not men. Don't back away from the truth.
     -Calling people to God will always bring some opposition. Sometimes the opposition is  significant and  relentless.
     -(Matt. 10:17-23)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

10. An absolute God orientation.
     -God knows your most intimate thoughts and desires.
     -Everything is life is God centered.
     -You are either moving more toward Him or moving away from  Him.
     -He must be at the very center of your thoughts and He must guide all your opinions.
     -(Matt. 10:26-31)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

11. A servant life patterned after Jesus Christ.
     -A leaders life is patterned after JC. He is your master and you are His servant.
    -A leader shares in the ridicule and sufferings of His Lord.
     -A leader is a servant to all as Christ came not to be served but to serve.
     -(Matt. 10:26-31)

Question: How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

12. An open witness to Jesus as Lord.
    -A leader will not be ashamed of the Gospel of JC.
    -A leader is willing to be a witness not only with his actions and behaviors but with his words.
    -(Matt. 10:32-33)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

13. A willingness to risk for the kingdom.
     -A leader is unafraid of the opinions of others.
     -Not everyone will be with you when you follow God.
     -Relationships must be risked for the sake of the  kingdom.
     -A leader is willing to risk all, including his own life, to deliver the Gospel message obediently.
     -(Matt. 10:34-36)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

14. A wholehearted love for God and His Son Jesus.
     -In a time of crisis, a leader wil have a wholehearted love for God and JC that exceeds all his other affections.
     -The quality of your love relationship with JC will be uncontested by any other love in your life.
     -Your obedience to JC will be demonstrated and strengthened by your love for Him.
     -(Matt. 10:37-39)

Question:  How would this be displayed by a leader in the church?

IV. Flexible of Christian Leadership

Question:  What does it mean to be 'flexible' as a Christian leader?

Christian leaders

1. Have enough faith to fail.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important?

      The only person who never fails is the one who never attempts anything.

2. Move beyond rehearsal and take the show on the road.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

       Faith catches a 'take charge' stance toward life. We follow a God who is a work all around us.  It is our responsibility to look for Him, see what He is doing and then join Him in His work. You can't stay where you are and go with God.

3. Interpret change.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

       See change and identify it as God being at work in new ministry opportunity.

4. Ask 'What if and Why not'
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

       Faith holds a possible / positive view of the future.

5. Find people who 'do faith' well and emulate them.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Models, mentors can show us the way.

6. Tolerate ambiguity.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Faith does not demand certainty.

7. Expect to be disoriented by change.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Change is upsetting, it spins our heads around. Faith accepts this and faces it squarely.

8. Prepare to be changed by the HS.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Faith is fresh and growing...it can affect our lives drastically...grow with it.

9. Focus on the advantages of change.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Change is a time of personal review. Learn from it.

10. Cultivate a holy unrest.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Faith by definition is adventurous. The faithful leader says 'if it ain't broke, break it'. Never assume you have arrived spiritually.

11. Develop Opportunity eyes.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Faith believes God is at work and is inviting you to join Him. Look for God work.

12. Seize the day.
Question: What does this mean and why is it important ?

      Make the necessary adjustments to your life after seeing God at work and GO WITH GOD!