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Characteristics of Leadership Introduction. Everyone here is a leader in some area of their life Questions we MUST ask ourselves How do I lead? What example do I follow? Who do I want to please? God or man? Am I trustworthy? Proverbs 29:25. Characteristics of Leadership.
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Characteristics of Leadership Introduction • Everyone here is a leader in some area of their life • Questions we MUST ask ourselves • How do I lead? • What example do I follow? • Who do I want to please? God or man? • Am I trustworthy? • Proverbs 29:25
Characteristics of Leadership • Leading like Jesus - 1 Peter 5:3 • Jesus said, “…Learn of Me!” Matthew 11:28 • Knowledge of the Word of God • Hebrews 5:12-14 • Courage to Challenge Error • Matthew 15:10-14
Definition of church leadership terms: • Elder -- • OT - A person entitled to respect & reverence • NT - Pastor, bishop, overseer, leader, ruler • Bishop -- Synonymous with elder - an overseer • 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 Peter 2:25 • Philippians 1:1, Ephesians 4:11-12
What is Leadership? • Leadership is influence! • Anytime you are in a position to influence thinking, behavior or development of people to accomplish a goal, you are in a leadership role. • The questions then are: • How will we lead? • And what is our motivation to lead?
Motivation of leadership • Self-serving: • Using your influence to fulfill your personal ambitions • EGO - Edges God Out • Pride: Seeks to please men that they will speak well of us • Matthew 23:5-7
Motivation of leadership • Service and dedication to Christ: • You will model and encourage godliness • EGO - Exalt God Only • Humility exalts God - Romans 12:1-3 • True Worship exalts God - Luke 4:8
Motivation of leadership • Develop and Maintain Respect and Trust: • Respect from others comes by: Honesty, integrity, truthfulness, wise counsel, etc. • Love and respect are not automatic, they are earned • 1 Timothy 3:7 • Trust is developed over time, but can be quickly lost and is difficult to restore!!!
Characteristics of Biblical Leadership • Asking ourselves, “What DID Jesus do?” • Leadership is influence! • Leadership is Serving! • John 12:26, Matthew 25:40,45 • Leadership is teaching! • Matthew 5:1-2, John 15:15
Characteristics of Biblical Leadership • Two key elements of Leading Like Jesus: • Forgiveness - How do we react to mistakes of others? • Matthew 6:12 • Grace -- not harsh, but compassionate • Seek to enhance the well-being of others • Galatians 6:1-2, Colossians 4:6 • 2 Peter 3:18
Life Reflects on Leadership • Attitude toward life and others • “Love your neighbor as yourself!” • 1 Peter 3:10-11 • Character, faith, behavior, reputation are reflected in leadership • 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Ecclesiastes 12:13
A Servant Leader • Ask Ourselves, “Am I a Servant Leader or a Self-Serving Leader?” • Self-Serving Leaders consider their own interests first, above all others • Servant Leaders consider others first, before their own interests • Jesus came to SERVE, not to be SERVED!
A Servant Leadership Is: • Remembering who we serve: The Lord Christ • “Faith working with love!” • According to the Word of God, not human opinion or traditions • According to firmly established Biblical values • The example of Jesus Christ
Servant Leadership Requires: • Firmly established and maintained Biblical values • A visionary role -- • Proverbs 29:18 • Without a clear vision there is confusion • Status Quo must change when it is not working!! • A willingness to implement the vision -- SERVICE • Patient, persistent positive teaching
Pastoral Authority • Christ is the Head of the Church - • Ephesians 5:23 • The shepherd does not beat the sheep; nor should the sheep butt the shepherd!!! • Who will be Chief is to be the servant • Matthew 20:25-28 • Mark 9:35
Community/Church Leadership • Speaking the Truth in love • Courage to stand for Truth at all times with good will and tolerance! • An outreach: “Go into all the world…” • Ephesians 4:11-15 • Matthew 5:38-48 -- The extra mile!
Conclusion: • The fruit of great servant leadership is achieved when the leader provides the next generation with the wisdom, knowledge and spiritual resources to serve their generation. • God knew Abraham would do this: Genesis 18:19 • Jesus did this: John17:7-8
Conclusion: • Leadership is not about POWER or CONTROL • Inspiring, NOT dominating others • LEADERSHIP is about helping people to achieve the faith and vision of Christ in their soul, knowing His love, forgiveness and grace. • One of the greatest gifts leaders can give others is hope; we cannot give faith or love
Conclusion: • Leadership is: (Or ought to be!) • Serving in Joy • Serving by caring and sharing • Serving as fulfilling and unselfish • Serving glorifies God: Matt. 5:16“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”