Effective Leadership Series

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

TOPIC: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Proverbs 27:23-24, Philippians 2:3

INTRODUCTION

Effective leadership is a major key to achievement, effectiveness, and success in every area of life. This is as true in the Church as in any other realm. John 13:13-17

THE CRUCIAL NEED FOR GOOD LEADERSHIP.

a. Without Good Leadership, Lawlessness Abounds.

Judges. 17:6. 18: 1-19. "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

b. Without Leadership, Confusion Reigns.

c. The People Are Like Sheep Without A Shepherd.

ASPECTS OF EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP. Mark 10:42-45

a. Prophetic, able to anticipate the future. Proverbs 29:18

In terms of Christian leadership, we sometimes call this person a "Visionary." Not someone who is always receiving spiritual visions, but one who has the ability to correctly anticipate the challenges and opportunities which the future will present.

b. Strategist, able to plan for the future. Luke 14:28-30

A strategist is essentially practical. He does not only recognize the challenge of the future, he is also able to formulate plans to adequately meet that challenge. The strategist is not a dreamer. He is a realist. He recognizes the opportunities before him and makes adequate, workable, achievable plans to reap the harvest of the future.

c. Communicators. Habakkuk 2:2-3

One of the reasons why all strategies and plans should be clearly defined and committed to writing is so that they can be more efficiently communicated.

d. Able to exercise authority. Matthew 8:5-13

Leaders must understand how to exercise authority. The usual manner in which this is learned is by being subject to authority yourself. Firstly so that they will unquestioningly obey their leaders in battle situations. Secondly to help them understand the structure of authority so that they will be able to exercise it when they are given a role of authority.

e. Organizers, to achieve the desired goal. 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40. Acts 20:28

To organize is to formulate orderly arrangements for oneself and others in order to maximize the efficient fulfilment of a goal. An effective leader must efficiently manage his resources, including people, strategies, and material resources. To do this he needs to be a competent organizer.

CONCLUSION: Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”.