Diligent Leadership

Leading that is Diligent is not condescending, but humbling. It’s not accusatory, striking out to harm others, but it’s lowly and meek, but certainly not weak! It is strong leadership that continues to humbly lead in spite of circumstances.

Diligent Leading is not destructive but edifying. It is graceful and gracious and its desire is to redeem and reconcile, not to pulverize and disintegrate or divide. It is not reactive against others but instead looks toward wholeness, unity and oneness in the Savior, not division because of self.

Lastly, diligent and Godly leadership sometimes exercises loving discipline. I think that this is the most difficult part of Godly Diligence and leadership for quite a few reasons. Proverbs 13:3 could apply here: “Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself.”

Leaders have to be so careful of what they say and how they say it, (as a matter of fact, EVERYONE should exercise care of their tongues), but Galatians 6:1 expresses the proper attitude in discipline: “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, (no one SHOULD be caught in sin, but IF you are) you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” The point of Christian discipline is not to punish but to extend love, forgiveness, comfort and restoration. (In Matt. 18:15-17, Jesus gave clear instructions for Church discipline.)

The Spiritual Gift of Leadership Motivates

1. The Spiritual Gift of Leadership also motivates others, but never mutilates others. When leaders exhibit diligence in their humbling, edifying and loving leadership, it motivates other believers to Gratitude. 1 Thessalonians 5: 12 says: “But we request of you, brethren, that you APPRECIATE those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord (proistemi, same word for govern or lead as in Romans 12:8) and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” The exercise of Godly Leadership should motivate others to thankfulness to our God who has provided such gifts to the Body, and also appreciation for those who have been obedient to serve. That is one of the things that I told all the pastors at the Outreach in Colorado City: Thank you for following the Spirit’s leading and being obedient to serve.

2. The service of others should motivate others to stand and serve. Hebrews 6: 11 admonishes: “And we desire that EACH ONE of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but IMITATORS of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Imitate good leaders! Stand and serve.

Listen carefully to these words from Titus 3: 8: “This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage (proistemi) in GOOD deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.” (As the Body of Christ, we have to exercise Spiritual wisdom concerning the battles we choose to fight. There are much larger battles than simple interpretations, some doctrinal differences, and certainly personal preferences. Is Christ being exalted in your worship and in your life? Is the Holy Spirit of God and the Gospel front and center in your life? Are we as part of the Body of Christ engaged in God’s re-creation, reconciliation, and redemptive process as individuals? Those who have believed God should be careful to engage in Good deeds which are Profitable!!