02 – The leader’s role
In this session, the following were discussed -
A. The definition of a spiritual (or Christian) leader
The group discussed on the definition, based on their experience as leaders, what they observed from fellow leaders of the church as well as the elders and pastors of the church. the result was an interesting definition -
The Christian leader is someone who can move away from secular motives and lead his people to do God’s will. In so doing, he possesses the traits such as – qualities of a servant-leader, god-loving, determination, trustworthy, commitment and competence.
From George Barna, we encountered the 3 Cs of a leader: he is called by God to lead; he possesses the character of a God-fearing Christian; and he is competent in the tasks that he is to manage. The last C, Competence, must be understood in the light of the Word of God. Since Biblical times, it has been known that God called men of different calibre; some were not even capable in terms of their experience, skills and knowledge. Nevertheless, God called them and equipped them. In turn, these people were fully commited to God’s purpose and His ultimate plan. So, competence, in essence, is competence that God grants and builds into those whom He calls.
Consider the definition of Henry and Richard Blackaby’s – “Spiritual leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda.” (from the book, Spiritual Leadership, Page 20)
Along with this definition, we see five underlying principles:
1. Key task of the spiritual leader – moving people from where they are to where God wants them to be.
2. Dependence of spiritual leader – the Holy Spirit of God.
3. Accountability of spiritual leader – to God.
4. Influence of the spiritual leader – not just to fellow Christians, but also to those around him.
5. Agenda of the spiritual leader – strictly God’s agenda.
B. Jesus as our Role MODEL of spiritual leadership
Jesus’ leadership, as we understand from the Bible, centred on His perfect relationship with God, the Father.
i. He sought his Father’s will and call.
ii. His personal vision and life purpose was God’s vision and life purpose for Him.
iii. His plan and even the execution of it was straight from God.
Learning from the Word of God
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1: 26 – 27
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12: 9 – 10
“My grace is sufficient for you.” We say Amen to this because we know clearly that when He calls us to move along with Him in His activities, His plan and His will, he will provide the essentials to help us. He will equip us with the competence. All He requires of us – to submit to His will and His call.
