Basics of Christian Leadership
Selected Passages
July 12, 2009
Evening Service
This message uses some material from a John maxwell Leadership lesson: the leadership of Jesus
Who are the leaders within the church?
Board Member Ministry Director
Sunday School Teacher Praise Team Member
Volunteers for Outreach Give to support various ministries
Definitions of Leadership
Leadership is influence. John Maxwell
Leadership is the art to of influencing and directing people in such a way that will win their obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in achieving common objectives. U. S. Air Force
The ultimate test of practical leadership is the realization of intended, real change that meets people’s enduring needs. James MacGregor Burns
"Leadership appears to be the art of getting others to want to
do something you are convinced should be done." — Vance Packard
Leadership is the ability to influence others to achieve positive results
Christian Leadership Requires a Number of Things
1. Stability
How did Jesus remain stable when everything around Him crumbled?
Jesus guarded His time alone with God (Mark 1:35)
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Jesus was the master of His time and He made it a priority to spend time alone with God
Jesus remained calm
Jesus never lost His composure in any situation. The world was chaotic around Him but He remained calm and collected.
When the storm raged on the Sea of Galilee, His disciples had to wake Him from a peaceful sleep before He arose to calm the waters. When various people rushed to Him with dire news of sickness or death, His comments were always calming and reassuring and His actions deliberate and helpful. Even in the midst of the most tumultuous hours of His life, during the events leading up to His crucifixion, while others fell apart emotionally. Jesus remained calm – Bob Briner
Jesus settled disagreements quickly
Jesus never compromised who He was or what he came to do. There may be a time to agree to disagree.
Jesus dealt with wrongdoing immediately
Jesus saw the problem, took care of it immediately and moved forward.
When He observed the activities of these extortionists and usurers in God’s house, He didn’t call for a committee meeting. He didn’t put the problem on the agenda for the next board meeting. He didn’t call in the spin doctors to discuss how best to handle the situation. He immediately and forcefully drove the slimeballs out. Bob Briner
Jesus finished what he started
Your exit will be remembered longer than your entrance
2. Strength
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
God knew that Joshua was going to need plenty of strength and courage to handle the coming war that needed to be fought. Joshua was given the task of leading the people into the Promised Land.
Three different kinds of strength
Strength of heart
The strength of the heart is being strong in the area of will. It is a determination that drives us on to accomplish the tasks that lay in front of us. It is an attitude that never gives in and never gives up. Joshua wholeheartedly followed God.
Strength of spirit
The strength of spirit is exactly that, spiritual strength. Our spiritual strength reveals itself in our character, our conduct and our commitment. Joshua was described as a man filled with the Spirit and led with spiritual wisdom.
Strength of stamina
The strength of stamina is the strength of physical proportions. This is not about how much a person can lift or bench press but instead is how long someone can keep going. Joshua was going to need a great deal of this kind of strength. Joshua would have a great deal of long and difficult days ahead.
Joshua is likely afraid of the situation that he is in. Joshua had been in this same place before and the people turned tail and ran from the call of God. The biggest fear in Joshua’s mind was not about the coming battles but the commitment of the people. Joshua had scouted the land forty years before and knew the challenges that awaited them. He also knew the enemies that they would have to face. Above all of these things Joshua knew that God would fight the battle for them.
3. Understanding of Suffering
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
We get the false notion in America that following Jesus is easy or at least it should be. If Jesus suffered, why do we believe that we are somehow exempt from it?
Our suffering is a tool in the hand of God to help others. There are times that the experiences that we have been through are the best witnessing tool to those who are hurting.
If we are ever going to truly enjoy the good times, we have to endure the tough times. Life will never be a picnic.
Paul had a radically different view of suffering. According to Paul, suffering—especially trials and discomfort associated with the advancement of Christ’s kingdom—is God’s way of allowing Christians to become more like Jesus—to suffer for the gospel just as Jesus suffered for it
What does Suffering do for us?
1.) It draws us closer to Christ
2.) It grows our faith
3.) It prepares us for greater service
In addition to drawing people closer to Christ, suffering can also help them grow in their faith. God uses suffering to improve his people and shape them into better Christians. In fact, suffering should be thought of as the necessary pain that accompanies spiritual growth.
Understanding these truths about suffering can help believers look beyond their difficult situations to the ultimate goal: moving closer to Christ. This doesn’t make the sufferings, trials, and difficulties any easier. But it does inspire God’s people to endure those difficult times. There is a God-given purpose for suffering—even though that purpose may be totally hidden at the time of the trial
4. Service
The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
There is no way to lead like Jesus without the willingness to serve. This does not mean that you let others control what you do, but rather that your actions are controlled by the desire to serve God and others.
Before you can be a servant, you have to first be secure with who you are.
Security is nothing more than freedom from fear or anxiety. Many Christians are incredibly anxious about serving in ministry or taking a leadership position.
Jesus had a divine position but He never used His authority against people. Jesus had a divine mission and He never stepped away from it. Jesus had a divine plan and He never forgot to submit to it.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7
Jesus understood who he was, what he came to do and why He came to do it. When you understand who you are in Christ, what Christ wants to do through you and why you are here, you will find amazing security.
Insecure people will destroy ministry in a church. They are focused on things of little importance. They are focused on what they get to do or what they get recognized for. People who are insecure search for something, anything they can secure in life. Insecure people look for what they can control.
Secure Insecure
Towels (service) Titles
People Positions
Add Value Receive value
