A. Calling of a leader
When a leader is driven, all kinds of problems arise. They are driven by acceptance to establish something credible or to be popular. If your motives are not pure, you will be driven, and destroy yourself and your people.
All leaders fall into either one of these two categories:‑
Selfish ambition: DO NOT rely on or have confidence in charisma! We can move into "KINGDOM OF SELF" mode when we have "ROMANTIC NOTIONS" of grandeur about our abilities and achievements. We become driven, and only do things for self‑gain and self‑recognition. A person driven will also rejoice in the failure and sin of others, and will always be blind to his own inadequacies. Many "INDEPENDENT" ministries are "LONE RANGERS", operating out of “KINGDOM OF SELF” motives. God's way is to work through teams where there is mutual accountability and submission. If not, the "LONE RANGER" approach to ministry becomes a "CAREER", and the leader becomes the "PAID PROFESSIONAL". There is nothing wrong with excellence and professionalism, as long as it’s in the context of building God's Kingdom and not the “KINGDOM OF SELF”.
Godly motivations: DEATH TO SELF" is not an easy thing, and it should not be overdone. We must not devalue ourselves in false humility, where we consider ourselves as worms. “DEATH TO SELF”, is dealing with the natural desires that tend to exalt self. The "AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY" that we have as leaders, is to live in the eye of God. Where we live in "SUBMISSION TO OTHERS", leading accountable lives. Our ministry then becomes a "VOCATION". ie. a calling, where we are servants of God.
Matt. 20: 25-28 - 25 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.
26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave ‑
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Leaders should not mind doing menial tasks. Eg. washing dishes etc., but we must watch our time, and not overdo it. God does not want you to chase donkeys when you are called to be a king. That characterizes a true leader. The husband who serves, reigns. Ask God for a servant attitude, where in your capacity as leader, you are willing to serve, even with menial tasks.
Phil 1:15‑19. Paul had an amazingly selfless attitude. He knew that some were preaching to build their own reputations, taking advantage of Paul's imprisonment to make a name for themselves. Regardless of the motives of these preachers, Paul rejoiced that the gospel was being preached. Some Christians serve for the wrong reasons. Paul wouldn't condone, nor does God excuse, their motives, but we should be glad if God uses their message, regardless of their motives.
Whether he lived or died, he wanted to exalt Christ. As it turned out, he was released from this imprisonment but arrested again two or three years later. Only faith in Christ could sustain Paul in such adversity.
B. The importance of a calling
In a general sense, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Eccl.. 9:10. IE. We must be busy with God’s work, serving faithfully. Then, before any forward movement is made in a ministry, we must know that we have been called of GOD. Not called by a NEED or an URGE, but called of GOD. Once we have discerned God’s call, we are to continue waiting on Him, allowing that call to mature to the point where we can take action, in God’s perfect timing. In the interim, we are to allow God to work our characters, preparing us for what lies ahead. Also, there may be several steps leading up to the call we feel we have on our lives, i.e. God may want us to serve as an usher first.
B.1. A calling produces:
1. Confidence ‑ Faith ‑ Boldness ‑ Authority
Campbell Morgan applied three times for acceptance at seminary and went on to be one of the great preachers. Why? Because he was called. When you are called you know you are called and that God will bring it to pass. Your calling need not be dramatic. When God calls He equips and provides. Every husband needs to sense a call to husband his wife. You need God's call for boldness, and authority.
2. Self image
Most times we struggle with our self image. But in Christ and in our calling we have a Godly perspective of our value and worth.
3. Motivation
Motivation is a whole subject on it's own. What is the steam that makes me move? Discovery of our gifting provides motivation, a sense of achievement and inspiration. The problem is that all those things eventually wear out. What keeps a Missionary going? His calling and love for God.
C. Practical Aspects of a calling:
1. Comes unexpectedly.
2. Could come long before actual leadership. God has this way of talking long before the calling actually comes, e.g. Abraham. God is the author of time. The reason we are impatient is often because we are immature, e.g. telling a child his birthday is coming in a few months time. We see a mountain top ahead, but the valley is still to be negotiated.
3. Can be sought.
4. God does the calling.
D. Three ways leaders come into ministry:
God's people have difficulty understanding the concept of being called or being driven. We constantly have to be on the guard against being driven. So many times leaders can find themselves building their kingdom with God's bricks.
Self appointed - Numbers 16
A notorious example of rebellious leadership is Korah in the Old Testament. Often these types of leaders say, "This is my ministry ..." Look at the life of Korah in Num.16. Here we see a man who appoints himself. If there was Pastor with a problem congregation, it was Moses.
vv. 2,11 Korah collected followers: Korah had slowly been working behind the scenes, creating a rebellion, by looking for support as he condemned the leaders. The quickest way to get others around you is by attacking the leaders. There are leaders who attract people this way, but their followers will also be rebellious in nature.
v.3 Korah produces rebellion - Korah, with his band of followers, opposes the leadership structures. Moses was not chosen as the leader because he was capable, but because God had anointed him and separated him for the task of leading Israel out of Egypt.
vv. 4,11 Moses falls on his face - Moses did this because they were going against God. If you go against God's choice, you go against God.
v.10 Korah and his followers were jealously ambitious - This verse reveals what Korah was really after, showing that he was driven by a desire to get out in front, and was not called.
v.11 Grumbling and murmuring - Criticism is not constructive, and it will ultimately lead to disaster. We need to realise that when we have a head-on collision with God, He doesn’t lose. Rebellion is a satanic principle. Satan's key problem was not sin, but rebellion, which produced sin. We find traces of rebellion in our own lives. The moment you operate in rebellion, you open yourself to satan. Deception is the next step, and even though you think everything is alright, you will self-destruct. Korah takes upon himself the responsibility and authority of a spiritual office to which he has not been called. God will never tolerate that.
vv.31-32 Disaster results
v. 41 The people also did not understand Moses’ discipline of Korah - Most people don't understand when God uses leaders to discipline, and it can result in dissension. Public discipline is most difficult, and is a last resort, after there has been no repentance.
v.46-50 The people rebel and are judged by God - Eventually, because their minds were polluted by Korah’s criticism, God sends a plague, and 14,700 people die. Only Moses’ intercession saved the people from more death.
Titus 3: 9-11 - "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogy and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self‑condemned.”
See also 2 Tim 2:23-24
Man or organization appointed
This applies to people who study and qualify in an organization. They go through college etc. This leader is recognized because of qualification. You will find that he is often man-centered. This leader makes the right impressions, he speaks his views and feathers his nest. His strength comes out of his ability, gifts and knowledge. There often is no life, e.g. the Pharisees.
A formal theological qualification along with a call from God, has great value. But on its own a formal theological education is nothing more than a man-made career.
God appoints - 1 Samuel 9 –15
1 Sam 9:3 Saul was looking for donkeys and not leadership! God said He would give Israel a king. Saul was not looking for the job, he was out chasing donkeys. Often when we are called by God, we are not expecting it.
1 Sam 9:15-6 God’s choice is Samuel's choice -Samuel is spoken to by God as to His choice of Saul as king.
1 Sam 10:1 Saul's anointing - Through God's prophet, (His authority structures), came anointing and recognition of God’s chosen leader. Thereafter came public recognition. When we serve God we need the anointing of the Holy Spirit, for its the anointing that sets us apart as a leader. Those in authority recognise God's choice, and lay hands on them, releasing them into leadership.
1 Sam 10:5‑11 Supernatural element - Just as Saul’s heart was changed supernaturally by God, so God wants to do that for all leaders. The power and authority of a leader is not ability, but it is the power of God’s anointing flowing through a heart changed by God. We must always remember that its the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage, (Isaiah 10:27 KJV). Saul began to prophesy, and this is to be the hallmark of our ministry as leaders, i.e. prophetic leadership. As leaders, we speak the word of God from hearts that have been changed by God’s word. We must always look for the supernatural element in serving God.
1 Sam 10:24 The people recognize God's choice - The leaders in authority publicly recognised God's choice, and then so did the people. There is always the human element in appointing leaders, but we trust God for His leading and judgement.
1 Sam 10:26 God gives leaders the hearts’ of the people - This baffles the self appointed man. Look at Korah, who strived and vied for support. When God appoints leaders, a supernatural bonding between the leader and the people takes place.
1 Sam 10:27 There is criticism - When God appoints and calls a man, there will be criticism. There is always satanic resistance when a person is raised up to leadership. Also:
1 Sam 13:8‑14 There is danger in the expectations of people - Saul was waiting for Samuel, but Samuel did not arrive. Saul was losing credibility before his people. He was put into a trying position and he failed the test. Often we find that those who are closest to us, will offend us because of their expectations. The golden rule of forward movement, is that unless God gives direction, we do not go forward. Saul assumed responsibility for a spiritual office he was not called to. We must find out what the Father wants us to do, and not respond to the demands of people (v.12 - Saul was motivated by fear and self-centeredness.
1 Sam 15:13 Saul is deceived - Thinking you are right despite God's command, is rebellion against God.
1 Sam 15:22 Obedience is better than sacrifice - Does the Lord have as much satisfaction in ministry, as He has in obedience? No! Only that which is done with Christ, will last. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches of the city, the watchmen guard in vain.” Don't do things for Christ, do them with Him.
1 Sam 15:23 Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft - Rebellion is nothing more than satanic influence. Insubordination is like idolatry. Selfish ambition builds up the kingdom of self‑independence, the lone ranger mentality, and we become loose cannons. We should rejoice in the principles of God's Word, rather than our ability.
E. Why be a leader?
In summary, we need to be honest in examining our motives. God knows our true motives. He sees the heart, (1 Sam 16:7). Our motivation will determine our success or failure.
F. Motives for leadership:
Some positive motives for leadership
1. We are commanded by Jesus to lead others to Him.
Matt 28:18‑20; Mark 9:37‑38
2. We love people (That is why we become leaders).
Rom 5:5; Matt 9:36
3. We believe we have something to give to others.
Rom 1:14‑16
4. We are motivated to change circumstances around us.
5. BUT ... the overriding factor is that we are called and led of the Spirit of God.
Wrong motives for leadership
1. Because others are pushing us, i.e. their expectation e.g. Saul
2. To be important and have authority
Matt 20:25‑28
3. So we will be the boss and no one can tell us what to do
Eph 5:21; 1 Tim 3:3
4. To build our own self‑worth, and promote our own interests.
1 Peter 5:6