Accompanying handout for this talk: click here
(1) What is a leader? Someone who guides and steers a team of people towards a specific goal. Someone who gives direction and co-ordination to a team effort.
(2) Programme on the Rat Pack. It was said of Frank Sinatra that he had all the qualities of a leader: "Fearlessness, unbridled ego and talent"
EXERCISE: Compare and contrast worldly leadership with biblical leadership. Think of one non-Christian leader and one Christian leader. Write down things you admired / didn't admire about both. What made them good/ bad leaders?
Feedback.
(3) A few qualities that good leaders should have:
Accountable to God. Hebrews 13: 17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Honesty and integrity - pure motives. Psalm 78: 72
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skilful hands he led them. Wisdom. 2 Chron 1: 8 - 10
Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Spiritual maturity. 1 Sam 13: 14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."
Training. 1 Cor 9: 25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Willingness to learn. Matt. 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22 - 23)
Love (Galatians 5: 13 - 14) John 10: the Good Shepherd.
Faithfulness. 1 Pet. 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Discernment. Prov. 3:21
My son, preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
Servant heart - a Christian leader is there to serve and empower others - not in it for themselves. Matt. 20:25 - 27 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them". John 13 - Jesus washed disciples feet.
2 Cor. 13:10
This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority - the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
God-given authority. Matt. 9:8
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
Rom. 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Dependence on God. Joshua 1: 6 - 9
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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."
Clarity - let people know what's expected of them.
Humility - Pointing us to Jesus and not themselves. John 3: 30.
Good listener
Open to correction. Proverbs 10: 17
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Look to develop and encourage those you're leading - see their potential, who they can become. John 1:42
And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas"(which, when translated, is Peter).
Consistent lifestyle - putting scripture into practise. Hebrews 13: 7
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Role model - good example. Daniel 12: 3
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Main thing that all Christian leaders should do is point to Jesus. Beware of cult of the personality - idolisation. People go off to things like Spring Harvest and Keswick to hear particular speakers, which is fine as long as we recognise that their role is just to bring us closer to Jesus. It becomes a problem when we start hanging on their every word and forget to test everything they say with the truth of the Bible. Matt. 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Hard-working. Romans 12: 8
...if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
(4) Bible study on Matt 23 (Woes of Pharisees)
v 1 - 8 What does this section show us about the Pharisees' attitude to leadership?
v 12 What will happen to us if we exalt ourselves?
v 13 - 15 What do you think these verses mean?
v 23 - 24 What do these verses show us about the way the Pharisees regarded the law?
v 27 - 28 Can you think of situations in which we might appear righteous, but be full of hypocrisy?
What can we learn about how / how not to lead others from this passage?
(5) APPLICATION: What does all this mean in the context of CSA? Being clear about the vision (more sessions on that). Aim to reach the campus. Where are you going? How are you going to get there? Being clear about our roles - who does what - good communication Unity of purpose - teamwork (see body of Christ teaching) Respecting each other on the team Developing the personal spiritual qualities we've already mentioned Getting alongside other Christians and encouraging them, specifically in evangelism.
