51. Spiritual Leadership I
A. What is leadership?
Is it a promotion or some favoured position?
Is it a dictatorship, authoritarianism or servant of all?
Is it popularity?
Is it biblical?
What is your opinion or interpretation of leadership?
Many leaders have INFORMATION but no FORMATION.
God looks for the character of the fruit of the Spirit, before He looks for gifting. God calls whom He will, and not necessarily the most gifted or capable person.
Leadership is one of the most misunderstood ministries in the Body of Christ. Some clamour for it, and others shun it. Many who covet leadership are not used of God, because of the attitude of heart and because of mixed motives.
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers ‑ not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
B. Some definitions:
LEAD - To show the way by going first; to guide by the hand; to direct; to precede.
LEADER ‑ One who leads or who goes first. E.g., Middle Eastern shepherd, who leads his flock by going first.
A CHRISTIAN LEADER ‑ A person with God‑given capacity, gifting, calling and responsibility who influence a specific group of God's people towards God's revealed purposes.
A leader's responsibility could be summarised in three words:
SERVANT, SHEPHERD, STEWARD.
1. ... being a CHILD to a YOUNG MAN and then a FATHER
1 John 2:12‑14 (indicative of growth).
2. ... a diet of MILK to a diet of SOLID FOOD
Heb 5:11‑6:3 (indicative of progression).
3. ... consuming all around him on self, and begins to take responsibility to GIVE OUT to others.
Isaiah 58:9b‑12 indicative of maturity.
v10a “and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed ...”
D. Discipleship: leadership’s context
Our role as leaders (in the APOSTOLIC/PROPHETIC model of church government), is to be vitally involved in DISCIPLESHIP. For this is the primary concern of Christianity, and it makes this model a dynamic moving model, where we are changing from glory to glory, (Matt 9:17; 2 Cor 3:18).
As leaders we are involved in the process of winning NEW CONVERTS to Christ, then discipling them through the following stages:-
NEW CONVERT --> DISCIPLE --> TEAM MEMBER --> LEADER
E. Aspects and types of leadership we will cover
SERVANT leadership
SHEPHERD leadership
TEAM leadership
leadership BY EXAMPLE
F. Further Scriptures on leadership
Num 27:16‑17; Isaiah 55:4; Heb 13:7;17; 1 Thes 5:12; 1 Tim 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1‑3
G. Homework assignment and a test
1. Week by week review the notes, because the notes and scripture references will be more exhaustive than the bible studies.
2. At the end of the course a “SELF-ASSESSMENT” TEST will be held, to gauge how much of the course material you have absorbed.
LEADERSHIP IN OUR CHURCH
1. HOW WE RECOGNISE LEADERS
What we don't do
1. Advertise a list of "open positions".
2. Look for the best qualified and adept person.
3. Fill a gap with the first available person.
What we do
1. Look for those who are integrated relationally into the fibre of the church.
2. Recognise what God is already doing with that person, IE. recognising the apparent anointing on the person's life.
3. Look at the fruit, (or lack of it), of the person's life; in the home, business place and life generally.
4. Make our needs known to the “committed” body.
2. HOW TO BECOME INVOLVED AT CORNERSTONE
1. Make sure that you minister from a place of strength and security, IE. ensure that you are :‑
integrated into the body
in a place of covering and accountability
being cared for and nurtured.
2. Wait on God for direction.
3. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it !" ‑ no matter how menial!!
4. Out of a caring heart begin to give of yourself for others.
5. Allow God to promote you and expand the influence of your ministry.
3. AREAS OF NEED AT CORNERSTONE
4. LET GOD DO THE PROMOTING
PSALM 75:6 (N.I.V.) “No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man.”
We need to concentrate on the DEPTH of our ministries and leave the WIDTH up to God.
1 COR 3:7-9 (NIV) “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
5. WARNINGS
The following are some of the more common problems that could arise, stop our effectivity and even cause us to give up on our relationship with the Lord. They are :‑
BURN‑OUT
WOUNDED HEART
NON‑INVOLVEMENT
A LEADER OR NOT
The boss drives his men,
The leader inspires them;
The boss depends upon authority,
The leader upon good will;
The boss evokes fear,
The leader radiated love;
The boss says “I”,
The leader says “We”;
The boss shows who is wrong,
The leader shows what is wrong;
The boss knows how it is done,
The leader knows how to do it;
The boss demands respect,
The leader commands respect;
So be a leader,
Not a boss.
SELF - ASSESSMENT TEST
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1. |
Complete the blanks in 1 Pet 5:1-4 : |
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1. To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: |
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2. Be ___________ of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to ___________; |
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3. Not __________ it over those entrusted to you, but being _____________ to the flock. |
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4. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. |
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2. |
Circle 3 words that best describe a christian leader. |
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SLAVE, SERVANT, STEWARD, ADMINISTRATOR, EVANGELIST, SHEPHERD, EXAMPLE |
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3. |
In a process of growth is mentioned, give these 3 stages of maturing we should go through. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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4. |
In the “APOSTOLIC/PROPHETIC” model of leadership, what vision should we have before us constantly? |
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a) Being a glorious bride, b) Having no spot or wrinkle, c) Jesus Christ, d) a Godly Kingdom. |
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5. |
Fill in the 2 in between stages a new convert goes through to becoming a leader. |
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NEW CONVERT ______________ ____________ LEADER |
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(adherent, team member, apostle, disciple, pastor) |
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6. |
In the course, a number of leadership types were covered, list 3 of the 5. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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7. |
Give 3 examples of “spiritual” leaders, ie. Leaders in the church. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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8. |
Give 3 examples of “secular” leaders, ie. Leaders in the world. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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9. |
Complete Rom 10:14b |
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“... and how can they hear without __________ preaching to them.” |
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10. |
God conducts His work through authority structures. Name the 3 levels of authority structures. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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(one of them is THE STATE) |
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11. |
All a leader’s experience comes from a thorough knowledge of the scriptures? |
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TRUE / FALSE |
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12. |
Fill in the percentages which show how rare leaders are. |
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_____ of people are self-motivated leaders self starters |
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_____ of people are inspired into leadership |
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_____ of people are followers |
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(7%, 90%, 3%, 25%) |
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13. |
Complete the blanks: |
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“Godly leaders are not __________ by selfish __________, but are __________ of God.” |
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(motivated, called, employed, ambition) |
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14. |
Complete Matt 20:26: |
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“... whoever wants to become _________ among you must be your __________.” |
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15. |
Complete Eccl 9:10: |
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“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with _________ ___ _____ ________.” |
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16. |
There are 3 ways a leader is appointed, name them. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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17. |
In developing as a leader my priority is reputation, because my character develops as a natural thing over the years? |
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TRUE / FALSE |
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18. |
God looks for F.A.T. leaders. Please complete the acronym. |
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F ________ |
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A ________ |
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T ________ |
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19. |
Complete Gal 6:7: |
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“... a man __________ what he __________.” |
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20. |
“People need examples with ‘SKIN ON’”! Please explain in a sentence. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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21. |
Complete 2 Cor 3:6 : |
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“... the __________ kills, but the __________ gives life.” |
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22. |
Complete Acts 1:8 |
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“But you will receive ___________ when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my ____________ in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” |
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23. |
In a few words explain the meaning of the word VICARIOUS. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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24. |
Laying down your life is optional when it comes to leadership? |
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TRUE / FALSE |
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25. |
Taking up the cross is a decision of total _______________. |
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26. |
Leaders exercise authority ________________________________, and they never _______ _______________ those they lead. |
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(because they are leaders, lord it over, ask for money from, by invitation) |
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27. |
Spiritual leadership = ______________. Expect it, and deal with it! |
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(tough times, promotion, war, a life of recognition) |
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28. |
Complete Jn 10:10: |
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“The enemy comes only to __________, __________ and __________.” |
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29. |
Name 2 of the 3 ways in which we are protected by God. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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30. |
Name 4 of the 7 weapons of spiritual warfare we have at our disposal. |
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31. |
Name 2 biblical leaders who interceded for their people, giving a brief description of the circumstances. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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32 |
Complete the V.I.P. of prophecy acronym. |
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V ________ |
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I ________ |
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P ________ |
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33. |
Name 4 of the 7 ways in which we hear God’s voice. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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34. |
Complete Jn 10:4: |
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“... His sheep follow Him, because they know __________ __________.” |
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35. |
Name the 3 voices we have in our minds. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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36. |
Complete 1 Sam 15:22: |
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“Obedience is better than __________.” |
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37. |
Briefly describe, in the biblical context, what it means “TO MINISTER”. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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38. |
List the following priorities in order: |
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CHILDREN |
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GOD |
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JOB |
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SPOUSE |
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MINISTRY |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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39. |
Servanthood is a choice only leaders make? |
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TRUE / FALSE |
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40. |
Complete Prov 16:18: |
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“Pride goes before __________.” |
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41. |
When we lead others, especially when counselling and giving advice, to what authority do we appeal? |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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(Our leader’s notes, the Pastor in charge, the word, whatever the Spirit puts into our heart) |
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42. |
Name 4 of the 8 TEAM PRINCIPLES. |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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43. |
Complete Psalm 75:6: |
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“No one from the east or west or from the desert can __________ a man, ... it is God who judges: He brings one __________, He __________ another.” |
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44. |
When God looks at a leader, He looks at the __________ first. |
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(gifts, heart, motives, strength) |
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45. |
From where does a Middle Eastern shepherd lead? |
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______________________________________________________________ |
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