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Leadership in the Lord's Church

What is leadership and how do we prepare for it?

For related resources see:
Abounding | Church | Congregation | Discipleship | Elders and Deacons | Influence | Servanthood | Spiritual Growth | Youth
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Introduction

  1. Text: 2 Tim. 2:20,21.

  2. Leadership is a popular subject these days -- and in the Lord’s work, it certainly is an important subject.

Two Questions

  1. Is there a leadership shortage?

    1. This is not a subject for men only, but I believe the men of our age have uniquely failed. Why so?

    2. But in assessing the shortage, we need to be careful how we define leadership.

  2. What is leadership?

    1. We need to be careful not to limit ourselves to worldly concepts of leadership -- a shortage of "leadership" (as the world defines it) in the church is not necessarily a problem.

    2. Jesus, the model - Mt. 20:25-28; Jn. 13:12-17.

    3. Spiritual leaders are characterized by:

      1. Humility. Cf. Mt. 18:1-4.

      2. Service. Cf. Lk. 22:24-27.

      3. Weakness. Weakness should make a man a better leader - 2 Cor. 12:7-10.

Five Kinds of Spiritual Leadership

  1. AUTHORITY.

    1. While this is the only kind of leadership that some people think of, it is not the only kind that is important.

    2. Contrary to modern egalitarian concepts, God has placed some "executive" authority in the home (Eph. 5:22-24) and in the local congregation (Hb. 13:7), i.e. responsibility to lead in "execution" of the group's mission.

    3. This would include decision-making, management, supervision, etc.

  2. TEACHING. Instruction - Jas. 3:1.

  3. ADVICE. Counsel - Prov. 11:14.

  4. CONTRIBUTION ("adding value").

    1. Helping others, especially the Lord's people - Tit. 3:14.

    2. Phoebe - Rom. 16:1.

  5. INFLUENCE. Having an impact for good - Philem. 4-7.

Some Qualities of the Spiritual Leader

  1. Traits to be acquired:

    1. GODLY CHARACTER. Blamelessness, integrity - Josh. 1:8.

    2. SPIRITUAL-MINDEDNESS. Godly attitude, spiritual orientation - 2 Cor. 5:16.

    3. WELL-SUPPLIED "TOOLBOX" OF SERVING ABILITIES. Cf. 2 Tim. 2:21.

  2. The "Big Three." Cf. 1 Kgs. 3:7-9.

    1. Knowledge.

    2. Wisdom.

    3. Experience.

Men as Spiritual Leaders

  1. With regard to leadership, men have . . .

    1. Some special ASSIGNMENTS.

      1. The fact is, some leadership duties have been uniquely assigned to men.

      2. These can't be dodged or passed on to others.

    2. Some special ENDOWMENTS.

      1. God never assigns unique responsibility without granting unique ability to carry it out.

      2. It is no coincidence that men have the traits that are characteristic of masculinity -- these are needed for men's special responsibilities.

    3. Some special WEAKNESSES.

      1. Every strength has a corresponding weakness.

      2. As an example of a weakness that goes along with masculine strength, consider men's tendency to be concerned with "who gets to be in charge." Cf. 3 Jn. 9.

    4. Some special ACCOUNTABILITY. Cf. Hb. 13:17; Jas. 3:1.

  2. Should every man aspire to leadership? Yes, as long as . . .

    1. We don't limit our vision to one kind of leadership - e.g. the eldership. Cf. 1 Cor. 12:17-19.

    2. We remain flexible and open to the Lord's plan.

      1. There will often be a change in circumstances that will dictate a change in our goals.

      2. At certain points, another direction may be indicated by God - Ac. 16:6-8.

    3. We don't make becoming a leader an obsession -- leadership is something that comes as a by-product of focusing on God. Cf. Lk. 14:7-11.

  3. That said, yes, every man should aspire to leadership.

    1. There is great value in goals and preparation. Cf. 1 Tim. 4:15,16; 2 Tim. 2:20,21.

    2. We need to work to put as many tools in our toolbox as we can. "Get your tools ready; the Lord will find you work."

Conclusion

  1. Spiritual leadership = serving the Lord's glory by serving others.

  2. We should want only that Christ be magnified in our bodies - Phil. 1:20.

  3. "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10,11).

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