Thoughts on Leadership
These come out of some recent experiences. I thought I would make them public.
1. Leadership is positional, and established by God. All leadership flows from him, granted by divine right. We are called into our leadership positions.
2. People are entrusted to leaders. they are delivered into the care of leaders, to be shepherded. This is no small responsibility.
*A shepherd cares for the good of the flock. His role is to do good, to prosper, to guard and protect the flock.
*His goal is the good of the flock, its safety and growth.
3. In our case, we are like mini-shepherds under the true and only shepherd. He alone is responsible for the safety and growth of the flock. to them he gives his Spirit which keeps them and grows them.
4. Yet responsibility is entrusted to us as leaders, and it is through us that God works. Thus, in our actings for the safety of the flock, by the power of God the flock is safe.
5. The leaders is therefore responsible to God and God alone for his actions. His role is to apply all the gifts entrusted to him, especially those related to the task at hand. He is to strive and labor with all his heart, fulfilling the task to which God has called him.
*When it is blessed, he raises an Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far God has helped me."
6. Failure in leadership comes when the goal of the leader shifts from faithfulness to the task appointed, that is, the good of the flock in the area assigned the leader.
*Generally, his goal shifts to his own good, his own prosperity.
7. I see this most clearly in the way I labored as a leader.
*What was my task?--The good of the men in Noblemen in learning to grow as men of God in a Biblical identity. My responsibility was to teach them, lay before them information, and lead them in activities with the goal of God using this to shape them and mold them.
*My leadership is seen in my faithfulness in teaching and guiding them through the experiences. To us all my [talents] is to use all my wisdom in effective communication.
8. The shift occurred when my highest goal became my own good. My labors, though striving for excellence, were given over not to faithfulness to the task, but to creating a name for myself--advancing myself.
*There is a subtle difference between these, and they are always intermingled.
9. The difference is seen when my name and my glory were threatened. My response showed that my highest goal was not faithfulness to the task, but my own name and glory. I acted to defend my name rather than continuing in my labors for the good of those under my leadership.
10. I demanded external obedience (and internal, though I could not compel it) not for the good of the flock, but to maintain my own pride in my position.
11. Because God gives all authority, a threat to our leadership is never ultimately towards us, but towards God.
*Note also that just and compassionate criticism is not a threat
12. What is our hope in leadership?
Ans. "You!" (I Thess. ii)
"That we may present everyone perfect in Christ" (Col. i)
But what is our hope in our selves?
Ans. "the glory of God" (Rom v)
"we wait eagerly for our adoptions as sons" (Rom viii)
What is the fallen hope of leader?
Ans. His own powers and ability being able to establish him in his position.
Anyways, those are some tentative thoughts born out of the Scriptures and my own experience. Love some feedback.
posted by Steven at 10:45 AM
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