CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM #1 ICCFM

OBJECTIVES To appreciate and accept what Christian leadership means; To realize that it was God who called you to lead and equipped you for this purpose; To know the fundamental attitudes and behaviors of a Christian leader to have a loving relationship with those God called you to lead.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN LEADER A Christian leader is both: God’s faithful steward and Servant to those you are called to lead

As God’s steward, we know that everything we have: our life; time; abilities, skills, and talents; and material and financial possessions are God’s gifts to us.

1. We respond to God with Love Gratitude for such immense gifts Humble acceptance of these gifts Joyful sharing of these gifts with others Accountability to God for how we develop and use these gifts for His honor and glory

2.We share all these gifts joyfully with others whom we are called to serve 3.We become God’s channel of sharing His blessings to those we lead 4.We have responsibility to bring those we serve closer to God by the loving relationships we build with them.

The call to service is God’s gift to us. As a servant leader, we follow JESUS AS OUR ONE AND ONLY MODEL. Jesus changed the paradigm of leadership: The leader is to serve and not to be served. “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mk 9:35)

The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn. 13:12-15)

The Ambition of James and John: “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mt. 23: 11-12)

QUALIFICATIONS OF A CHRISTIAN LEADER: When God calls a leader, He measures his heart, not his head. The heart is the seat of all fundamental choices, the center of who we are. “God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” (Sm. 16-7)

Leadership starts with having a heart that seeks God’s own heart. Nothingness is a leader’s first qualification. Gifted men, when appointed as leaders, may tend to be proud and authoritative. “Tend the flock of God in your midst, (overseeing) not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.” (1 Pt. 5:1-3)

God does not call the qualified. He qualifies those whom he calls. Self-Reflection: Think of the qualifications of the 12 apostles chosen by Jesus. What are their educational and social backgrounds? How did Jesus qualify them? What were their weaknesses? Reflect on why God has chosen you to lead. Listen to him speak to your heart.

God prefers weak people because in their weakness, He could inject His glory. When Jesus empowered His apostles, He empowered them in two areas:  Heart – the inner desires and relationships  Hands – the skills, abilities, and opportunities

It is not enough for you to have a strong desire to build God’s Kingdom. You must also possess the skills and abilities to build loving and caring relationships with those given you to serve. It is wrong to think that we become servants because we are serving. We serve where God needs us, not only where we are good at.

Self-Reflection: Reflect on your service now: what are you doing and for whom? How do you feel about what you are doing? Is your heart joyful when you do your service? Doing good does not make you good. What do you think of this? Listen to the Lord speak to your heart.

LOVING BEHAVIORS OF A SERVANT LEADER Smiling Listening attentively Seeing the good and positive in people Affirming; expressing sincere appreciation Giving a “pat on the back”

LOVING BEHAVIORS OF A SERVANT LEADER Asking questions politely Calling on members to take part in the discussion Affectionate touch: embracing, hugging, giving “beso”, shaking hands

LOVING BEHAVIORS OF A SERVANT LEADER Asking what help a person needs Helping when a person is in need Supporting/ encouraging Trusting

Self-Reflection: 1.Are there other loving behaviors not in the list shown? 2.Which ones do you do with other people? 3.Which ones do you find difficult to do? 4.Tell Jesus to give you the grace to do them.

PERFORMING THE SERVICE GOD HAS GIVEN US MUST TRANSFORM US INTO THE LIKENESS OF JESUS.

1. This means we become more humble, more loving and more forgiving now than when we first started. Self-Reflection: Have you experienced transformation in your life as a result of your service? Ask God to reveal to you the changes you have made and the changes you still need to make so you can be a true servant in His kingdom.

2. If you are following Jesus Christ, then, like Him, you will be Humble…”he humbled himself” Obedient…”becoming obedient to death” Prayerful. Jesus always put priority on prayer

Self-Reflection: 1.How do you see yourself in the areas of: Humility Obedience Being prayerful 2. How much time a day do you devote to prayer? 3. How do you think Jesus sees you in these areas?

3. How to overcome pride and becoming humble 3.1. Do not pursue any ambition aside from serving God. Martha in Lk 10:38-42 served Jesus on her terms and not on what the Lord really wants.

Martha complained to Jesus why Mary was with Him instead of being in the kitchen helping her prepare food. The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from her.”

3. How to overcome pride and becoming humble 3.2. Do service without being noticed. Pride thrives in services done on the “stage” and under the “spotlights” or out of vain glory Develop a strong servant attitude. Gratitude is an important element of humility…”rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves...” 3.4. Surrender your interests to God so that you won’t worry about them…”each looking out not to his own interest…”

3.5. Always think of the welfare of those you lead, as a shepherd tends to his flock. 3. How to overcome pride and becoming humble Self-Reflection: 1.Go over the 5 How to’s and ask the Lord how He sees you in each of them. 2.In what areas does He want you to improve?

GO TO JESUS IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. Talk to Him on how He wants you to serve as a leader. Listen to Him. Respond to Him in the form of a prayer. Write your prayer to Jesus on a sheet of paper.

For married couples: it is suggested that after the Self- Reflection, you share with one another. You can invite each other to comment. You should help and encourage each other so you can grow together in your loving relationship with God, with each other, and with those you are called by God to lead.