The Holy Spirit Knows the Best Ways to Work With Each Leadership Style
"When He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13)
Illustration: Shepherd the flock of God . . . , not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you. --1 Peter 5:2-3
Dwight D. Eisenhower used to demonstrate the art of leadership in a simple but forceful way. He would place a single piece of string on a table and say, "Pull it, and it follows wherever you want it to go. But push it, and it goes nowhere."
This principle of leadership applies in the church as well as in the military. Autocratic, demanding pastors will sooner or later drive people away with their ironhanded tactics. Individuals deserve to be listened to carefully and treated with dignity.
Peter recognized this when he wrote to some of the leaders of the early church: "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, . . . not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock" (1 Pet. 5:2-3). Peter had lived with Jesus and observed His method of leadership. It was strong, gentle, respectful, and carried the authority of a consistent example.
Regardless of our leadership position, "pulling power" has a greater chance of success than the push of authoritative demands. Pushing may bring about outward compliance, but good leadership creates an inner willingness to follow because of what is seen in the life of the leader. --DJD
The paths of leadership are trod
By those who humbly walk with God;
Their gracious spirit holds a sway
That makes us want to go their way. --DJD
A good leader not only knows the way but shows the way.
(Our Daily Bread)
The Holy Spirit gives a Leader, a Pastor or a Teacher wisdom to know the best ways to work with a variety of personalities, attitudes and behavioral orientations in their community. Solomon wrote, "A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (Prov 15:23)
Trust the Lord to help you treat each owner in your fellowship as important in his or her own right. Pray that the Spirit of God would guide you in developing a healthy rapport with each owner in their own terms. Beseech the Lord to help you value each owner’s contributions to your fellowship based on individual merit without comparing it to that of others.
Look to the Lord to help you evaluate each owners’ contribution to the church based on the spiritual fruit rather than what was lacking in their efforts. Petition God to help you find a way of best using the owner’s gifts to maximize their contribution for the qualitative and quantitative growth of your church. Seek the Lord’s help in harmonizing the talents, personalities and strengths of these owners for the best overall effects in your church. Implore the Lord to help you avoid any sense of competition between the owners in your fellowship. Plead with God to give you a synergistic and cooperative attitude between the owners in your fellowship for the expansion ministry of Christ’s Kingdom and righteousness.
Solicit the Lord’s help in knowing the best ways to motivate and appreciate each owner in the most appropriate ways. Entreat the Lord to help you point all the owners toward the scriptural admonishment of serving the Lord more than men with all their hearts. (Col. 3:23) Request of God for ways to help each owner grow more in grace and knowledge of Christ.
Ask the Lord to give you greater wisdom to know the best ways to work with the following personality types found in owners of their own businesses:
A. IDEALISTS - According to a Pitney Bowes survey printed in the November 9th, 1999 edition of the Wall Street Journal, 24% of companies were owned by individuals who love their product or service, but hate the nitty-gritty details of running a business. Therefore, these people are the least likely to be looking for ways to improve their business. The best approach with an idealist is to find out what ideals motivate this owner to do what he does. Solomon wrote, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Prov. 16:9) Ask the Lord to give you the best words to speak to this idealist in terms that will enable him to see how his ideals align with those in your fellowship and his service to your church’s ministries.
B. OPTIMIZERS - 21% of the owners of small businesses strive to maximize profit, but not necessarily to make their companies larger. These individuals tend to work a few hours a week less than other business owners since they do not consider their workday to be demanding or high pressured. They are the least likely to neglect their personal life. Solomon wrote, "The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction." (Prov. 16:21) Ask the Lord to give you a discerning & pleasant tone of voice in helping the optimizer to see how his talents & resources can best find fulfillment in service to the church
C. HARD WORKERS - 20% of owners are the most eager to make their companies larger. More than other owners, they worry about every detail of the business. Solomon wrote, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for his own ends - even the wicked for a day of disaster." (Prov. 16:3,4) Ask the Lord to give you time to pray with this owner enabling both of you to bond your hearts together in mutually agreed upon projects of service for the church, Christ’s kingdom and outreach ministries.
D. JUGGLERS - 20% of owners never seem to have enough time or money and constantly struggle to make ends meet. These owners are most in need of getting help with managerial skills. Solomon wrote, "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." (Prov. 19:2) Ask the Lord to help you find ways to provide the managerial skill assistance for this owner in a way that he will somehow reciprocate the favor toward your church’s ministries.
E. SUSTAINERS - 15% of owners are strongly averse to credit and risk taking. They are the least interested of all in expanding their companies. Many of these individuals bought or inherited businesses, rather than started one. Solomon wrote, "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." (Prov. 19:20,21) Ask the Lord to give you the best advisors and instructors to help this owner find God’s plans for His business and his service for your church’s ministries.
Conclusion: Jesus] said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.. --Mark 6:31
Philip Melancthon, the great Reformation theologian, once said to his friend Martin Luther, "This day you and I will discuss the governance of the universe." What Luther said in response was unexpected: "This day you and I will go fishing and leave the governance of the universe to God."
Dr. M. R. De Haan, the founder of Radio Bible Class, always carried the responsibility of leadership with a conscientious seriousness of purpose. His ministry of speaking, writing, and broadcasting touched the lives of millions. Yet he also loved taking time out to "wet a line," and he did it often enough to balance out the responsibilities of his work.
If we are going to serve Christ effectively, we need balance in our lives. We cannot go full speed in the work of the Lord for too long without rest or diversion. We have to counterbalance the seriousness of our mission with good relaxation.
It’s important to be diligent in our work for the Lord. But sometimes we get so engrossed in our tasks and activities that we become exhausted and begin to lose perspective. We need to rest, as our Lord advised the disciples. We just may have to say, "Let’s go fishing!" --DCE
Once my hands were always trying,
Trying hard to do my best;
Now my heart is sweetly trusting,
And my soul is all at rest. --Simpson
Come apart and rest awhile,
or you may just plain come apart. --Havner
(Our Daily Bread)
