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Spiritual Leadership
Contributed by Jose Cabajar on Mar 12, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Spiritual leadership is a special opportunity given to God-chosen individuals for a special purpose.
Spiritual leadership is a very important subject worthy to be considered for deeper study. Its indisputable value and amplification has reached a new milestone. Its admirable effects are now being desired by highly competitive and intellectual people in the secular realm. Men of integrity have seen and experienced its life-changing principles in the lives of many people. Goal-oriented leaders who want to have remarkable changes in their organizations are now embracing spiritual leadership to be applied strictly for the betterment of their associates and global image. Even military personnel are now being aware of its motivating power. Many educators from different fields of learning are not ignorant concerning its beneficial results, hence they are interested in incorporating these godly principles into their educational system. Smart people from all corners of the world and from all walks of life have appreciated spiritual leadership as an important key to personal development and corporate advancement. Its discriminating effects on spiritual and ethical application will surely enhance their well-respected credibility.
Spiritual leadership is the highest kind of leadership. Its God-glorifying principles and spiritual value are sure treasures to be loved and to be guarded by Christians who have an intense desire to instill and to pass this spiritual heritage to the lives of their children. A careful consideration on the Word of God as a guide in our serious study on this subject will serve as an important vehicle in exploring its vastness and relevance in Christian ministries today.
(I) Behind Spiritual Leadership
-God: The Author of spiritual leadership
John 10:11-18
-God: The Power of spiritual leadership
Acts 1:8
-God: The Executive of spiritual leadership
Eph. 4:7-13
-God: The Maker of spiritual leaders
John 21:15-17
-God: The Strength of spiritual leadership
II Tim. 4:16-17
Behind remarkable success of all believers is undoubtedly the Lord’s powerful working. He is the Author of spiritual leadership and the best example of leadership. The Lord said in John 13:13, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
(II) The Need For Godly Character
-Humble v19
-Sensitive v19
-Possessing inner strength v19 v24
-Unselfish v20
-Man of faith v24
-Watchful v28 v31
-Possessing spiritual intelligence
v27-35 I Cor. 2:13
-Man of prayer v36 21:5
Our attitude toward God and His Word contributes a great role in attaining godly character. Christ-like character is a must-have and a plus when it comes to spiritual leadership. It offers us a curve advantage all through out the Christian Race of Life.
(III) The God-given Ability And Responsibility
-The ability to lead and serve
I Peter 5:1-4
-The great responsibility
Acts 20:28-31
-The accountability
v26 Hebrews 13:17
Spiritual leadership is a special opportunity given to God-chosen individuals for a special purpose. It is a wonderful way to display God’s grace and a great way to serve the Living God. This includes leading people in the right path, feeding them with spiritual food and shepherding them according to the blessed will of God. When the Lord calls Christians for spiritual leadership, He puts them also through a process of spiritual and professional development. As He gives them responsibility, He also gives them the ability to do a special task for His honor and glory. Deep sense of reliance to God and deep sense of commitment on the part of God’s servants will gradually help him to explore and develop his God-given talents and gifts. Eventually, through the grace of God, he will be found leading and equipping others through his well-developed styles and skills, in a higher level of service, and in a unique way of spiritual leadership.
What a blessing and honor to be a part of God’s ministry. No doubt Paul was so blessed when he said, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” I Timothy 1:12
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filtlhy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. I Peter 5: 2-4