People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
Leadership
by James W. Moss, Sr.The dictionary says, “Leadership is the trait of personality that encourages others to follow.” Sally Ride said, “Leadership is being willing to learn new things; being able to assimilate new information quickly; and being able to get along and work with other people.”1
C. Peter Wagner has described the gift of leadership as “the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose for the future and to communicate these goals for the glory of God.” Likewise, he describes the gift of administration as “the ability . . . to understand clearly the immediate and long range goals of a particular unit of the body of Christ and to devise and create effective plans for accomplishment of those goals.”2
The scriptures give us insight into the role of leadership among God’s people:
 |
“I desire to do your will, O my God, your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8) |
|
“For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end” (Psalm 48:14) |
|
“‘But what about you?’ he asked, ‘Who do you say that I am?’” (Matthew 16:15) |
|
“Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40b). |
Successful Christian leaders are ones who seek to know the will of God and then strive to fulfill that will in their lives.
Christian leaders are called by God. This is the significant difference between Christian leaders serving our Lord and those in the world. There is an overwhelming sense that the Christian leader is called by God, and specifically doing God’s will in their lives. This gives tremendous motivation to complete the effort successfully even when the walk is difficult.
Christian leaders are self-reliant. They have the ability to rise to the occasion independently. They are able to make decisions and carry out assignments without constant supervision and prodding.
Christian leaders are good at something. I heard an old timer say, “I’m a jack of all trades and master of none.” In today’s climate, it is not necessary to be good at everything. Become very good at one very specific area of ministry. Surround yourself with people who are good in areas where you are not. Then become aware of people with specialties outside of your circle.
Christian leaders develop the capacity to ask good questions. Questions can be used as weapons. For instance, a husband says to his wife, “Doesn’t a good wife always do this?” Bad question. It is one used as a weapon. Leaders develop the capacity to ask the right question to raise issues that need to be visited and to seek good information. The capacity to ask good questions is particularly significant when coaching another.
Christian leaders are self-starters. Have you ever said to yourself, “I don’t think I could get that person moving with a stick of dynamite?” Christian leaders don’t need a cattle prod to get moving. Procrastination can be a big enemy, especially on a tough assignment. One cure for procrastination is to move quickly on that difficult assignment.
Christian leaders are intensely patient. That seems like an oxymoron but it isn’t. Another person and I were discussing one of the most successful pastors in our denomination. We finally concluded he was intensely patient. He was willing to wait for people to join in the movement but not forever. Sooner or later the patience would run out and it would be time for action.
Christian leaders reproduce themselves. Barnabas taught Paul everything Barnabas knew. Everyone needs a Barnabas, a more mature Christian to teach us all they know. Then in turn Paul took Silas, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, and others under wing and in turn taught them all he knew. We need to gather our Timothys so we can teach them what we have learned and in turn learn from them. The highest calling of a leader is to develop other leaders.
1George and Alec Gallup. The Great American Success Story. Albuquerque, NM : Newman Communications, 1986, p 137.
2C. Peter Wagner. Leading Your Church to Growth. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1984, pp 88-89.
_____________________
Also see:
| |
|
_____________________
Read about Jim's seminars and books.
_____________________
August 13, 2003. Volume 6, Issue 8. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.