Effective Christian Leadership Overview “The Stakes of Leadership”

Major Resource  Bill Hybels, Sr. Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church  “Not a book on leadership theories, but on proven leadership practice” (p. 12)  “…that men and women with the spiritual gift of leadership...”

Major Resource “... will begin to lead energetically, joyfully and effectively in local churches everywhere, and that under the blessing of God and the leadership of these devoted servants of Christ the church will become what it is meant to be: a force against which the very gates of hell cannot prevail.” -- Hybels, Courageous Leadership, p. 12

Other Resources  “ Victorious Christian Service: – Studies in the Book of Nehemiah  A leader ’ s devotional guide!  By Alan Redpath

Other Resources  Leader ’ s Source of Power  Inner Life of A Leader  Why Some Leaders Excel  How To Make An Impact

Other Resources  What Leaders Do  The Vision Thing  Becoming A Spiritually Mature Leader  The Life Cycle of A Leader  Building A Team  Conflict: The Refining Fire of Leadership

Other Resources

An Opening Question What is it that makes a Christian leader effective?

What’s At Stake?  The sickening and awful reality and depth of sin and evil in our world – “Strong, growing communities of faith can turn the tide of history. They can!” (p. 22)  The future effectiveness of the local church – “The local church IS the hope of the world.” (p. 15)  The challenge – What if what happened in Jerusalem (Acts 2:46ff) could happen in Lancaster County? At Cross Roads?

What’s The Key?  Maybe church location?? – Not so!  Maybe a particular denomination?? – “Within every denomination, and beyond, I have discovered prevailing churches.” (p. 25)  Maybe the ideal facility??  Maybe great preaching?? – “Sermon junkies tend to stay in their comfortable pews, growing ever more knowledgeable while becoming ever less involved in the surrounding community.” (25)

What’s The Key? “What flourishing churches have in common is that they are led by people who possess and deploy the spiritual gift of leadership.” (26) “The local church is the hope of the world and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.” (27)

Why Do We Need Leaders? (Can’t the Church Lead Itself?)  The Bible says so! – “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might... appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5)  “Leaders cast the vision; leaders realize that ‘anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.’” (John Maxwell)

Leadership Myths  A leader is “born,” not “made”  A leader has a “charismatic” personality  A leader dominates others  Leaders are “loners”

21 st Century Leadership “The skillful leader then does not rely on personal force; he controls his group not by dominating it but by expressing it... The person who influences me most is not he who does great deeds but he who makes me feel I can do great deeds.” Mary Parker Follett

21 st Century Leadership “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—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.” JESUS in Matthew 20:26-28

What Is A Christian Leader?  Scripture texts – Romans 12:1-8 – 1 Timothy 3:1-7 – 2 Timothy 2:1,2  Scripture models – Moses – Paul – Barnabas – Peter – Others...

Christian Leadership Is...  A spiritual gift – 2 Timothy 1:6 (cf. Romans 12:8)  A spiritual calling – 1 Timothy 3:1; 2 Tim. 1:6  A spiritual passion or desire – 1 Timothy 3:1f From Paul’s letters to Timothy

The Gift of Leadership  Context of A Leader  Character of A Leader  Courage of A Leader “the one who leads... go for it!” (Romans 12:8)

Courage of A Biblical Leader  “ the one who leads... go for it! ” (v. 8) – Diligent, directed effort that strives after something – “If it is leadership, let him LEAD!”

Courage of A Biblical Leader  Found in his/her calling by God – “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being a leader [overseer], he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1) “stretch forth to grasp” (1 st verb) “sets his heart on” (2 nd verb) Definite, God-given, deep-seated longing that explodes into action

Courage of A Biblical Leader  Found in what he/she does—LEADS! – Does what is right, not merely the “right things” (manager) “Popularity is not leadership. Results are.” (Peter Drucker) – Sees things as God does—casts vision – Empowers others to see and choose what God wants “Effective leaders delegate.” “The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers.”

Courage of A Biblical Leader  “Lord, give me... – David’s optimism – Joseph’s integrity – Joshua’s decisiveness – Esther’s courage – Solomon’s wisdom – Peter’s initiative – Paul’s intensity” (Bill Hybels, Leadership Summit, 1998)

How To Be/Become God’s Leader  Develop your passion for leading  Immerse yourself in the church-community life  Learn and grow in leadership skills  Grow deep in Jesus Christ so that others see it – “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” (1 Timothy 4:15)

Your Turn Q&AQ&A

Next Time “The Leader’s Pathway” (Chapter 11)