The Importance of Christian Leadership

 

Note to Reader: I started this entry in March 2023. The significance of the timing is revealing to those who know

  The leadership roles in the organization of a church goes beyond finding people to fill seats or finding willing bodies. It rises above who has done it for the last 50 years or how much they tithe.  Those serving in those roles should be highly motivated Christians that have a passion for fulfilling the mission, vision and values of that church. Just to refresh our memories of what those are:

A mission statement is a concise explanation of the organization's reason for existence. It describes the organization's purpose and its overall intention.

A vision statement looks forward and creates a mental image of the ideal state that the organization wishes to achieve.

A values statement lists the core principles that guide and direct the organization and its culture. In a values-led organization, the values create a moral compass for the organization.

 

A mission (intention) without vision (ideal state), is like a seed without sunshine, it may sprout and grow for a bit, but will not reach it's full potential. If the vision (ideal state) is to keep everything the same, the church will not grow. People are drawn to organizations and Christian Communities that grow. One of the worst scenarios is a Mission with Vision but no values (moral compass), as it will become corrupt.

The Bible states clearly what good leadership characteristics are. 

The Old Testament has many good examples and Jesus taught the disciples how to lead the church forward. Paul modeled and taught Christian Leadership Characteristics as he mentored new leaders. In modern times, most denominations will have guidelines for leading the church. In the UMC it's called the Book of Discipline. It starts with the foundation of the denominations statements of faith and beliefs. The BOD contains guidelines for the Church at the International level down to the Local Church level. It defines how Bishops are selected, Clergy are Ordained and the role of Laity in the Church. The Local Church organization is described in detail with definitions and actions of the Administration Committee, Finance Committee, Trustees and Church Council that guide the direction of the Local Church. It even defines the ministries within the church. Now this is a very condensed list of the contents, there is much much more including the Judicial component that sees to resolving issues in the church, but for the purposes of this blog I will focus on Leadership Characteristics.

 

In a blog by Larry Chamberlain of Indiana Wesleyan University, he describes Effective Leadership Characteristic from the Apostle Paul, with supporting scripture. He wrote:

An Effective Leader . . . .

Seeks to Appreciate the Diversity of Giftedness

Ephesians 4:8, 12, 15, 16: He gave gifts . . . for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ . . . being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Seeks Unity in the Context of Diversity

I Corinthians 1:10: I exhort you . . . that you all agree [speak the same thing], and there be no divisions [schisms] among you, but you be made complete [united] in the same mind and in the same judgment

Seeks a High Level of Moral Maturity

I Corinthians 3:16, 17: Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? . . . . The temple of God is holy, and that is what you are . . . and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to you.

Seeks the Wisdom and Empowerment of God

Ephesians 1:17, 18: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him . . . that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

Seeks Conciliation Instead of Conflict

Ephesians 1:17, 18: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other

Seeks Fair and Respectable Compensation and Recognition

I Timothy 5:17, 18: Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor . . . . The laborer is worthy of his wage

Seeks a Servant’s Heart and Subjection to God

I Corinthians 9:19, 20: For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more . . . . I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some

Seeks to Mentor and Train the Next Generation

II Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me . . . . entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also

Seeks to Guide and Correct with Patience and Gentleness

II Timothy 2:24, 25: And the Lord’s bond-servant must be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness, correcting those who are in opposition. 

 

 May we root ourselves in the word as we discern the Leaders we need to be, so our work is to the Glory of God and bares witness to the Christ-like Christians he calls us to be.

 

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  Leadership is not a role to obtain and hold on to for the purpose of power and control, as that type of mindset can not be utilizing the Mission, Vision and Values of the organization. It is a role to fulfill while constantly looking for and grooming an appropriate replacement from a younger generation that can continue the legacy of the church. In a church environment the focus should mirror the church Christ calls us to be.

One of the reasons I love being a United Methodist is it's devotion to mission work, relief, restoration and building up of those less fortunate that us. Not to just "give to the poor" but to help them rise up to be all they can be which lends to confidence and sustainability. All the while showing them the love of God and giving them the knowledge of salvation, a gift of grace.

Value the best in people, forgive the least in people and love as Christ calls us to love. I struggle everyday loving people who's hatred simmers in their heart while they continue to look for ways to hurt others. As hard as it is to wrap my head around this, I refuse to excuse it and pray they will eventually look into their own heart and discover the darkness that lies within that needs the light of the Holy Spirit to restore them. Am I being judgemental, if so I pray forgiveness.

Even when Paul was in prison, he wrote to the churches to point out their errors and correct their thinking and ways so the church could go on to be successful in sharing the good news of salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ.

In a time when "DISCERNMENT" seems to be the soup of the day, spend some time in the presence of God, nourish yourself in his word and make better plans and choices according to his will. In HIS time, In HIS wisdom he will reveal HIS will. It is up to you to then ABIDE IN HIM AS HE ABIDES IN YOU.

 

Credits:

https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/ng-blog/stories/characteristics-of-effective-leadership