A CALL TO TRUE LEADERSHIP (Rev. Clinton Chisholm)

Definition of a Leader “A leader is a PERSON who influences PEOPLE to accomplish a PURPOSE.” (Walk Thru the Bible)

True leadership is Personality- based (cf. Paul/Barnabas in Acts ) True leadership is Personality- based (cf. Paul/Barnabas in Acts ) This incident was not simply a clash of perspective but a clash of personality This incident was not simply a clash of perspective but a clash of personality In churches and offices we often neglect the dimension of personality In churches and offices we often neglect the dimension of personality

Purpose Initiate People Respond nderstanding the Four Dimensions of Behavior D = Dominance I = Influence S = Steadiness C = Conscientiousness

Each personality pattern works best in situations that build on its strengths. Each personality pattern works best in situations that build on its strengths. A strength pushed to an extreme, or not sufficiently yielded to God, becomes a weakness. A strength pushed to an extreme, or not sufficiently yielded to God, becomes a weakness.

Personality qualities to strive for (Eph ) Humility Humility seeing yourself as God sees you and behaving accordingly  Gentleness/Meekness that respectful non-bruising manner in which we relate to others

Longsuffering Longsuffering a refusal to retaliate even when hurt  Tolerance putting up with the weaknesses, failures and foibles of others putting up with the weaknesses, failures and foibles of others

True Leadership is People–centered (cf. Jesus’ advice in Mt ) “Do not push power or pull rank on people but SERVICE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE.” Note: V.26 ‘minister’ (Greek: diakonos) and v.27 ‘servant’ (Greek: doulos) describe people who attend to the needs of others. This means that for Jesus, leadership in the Church is not about status but about service.

Integrity and accountability are critical principles for leaders Integrity is wholehearted, abiding faithfulness to wholesome abiding values. Accountability is a willingness to report on and explain beliefs, behavior, attitudes and motives.

True Leadership is Purpose-driven (cf. Eph. 4. 3, 12) Doing without a purpose is being busy pointlessly. Doing without a purpose is being busy pointlessly. Leadership is given to the church to:- Leadership is given to the church to:-  Foster Unity (Eph.4.3) i.e. Building Fellowship or a sense of oneness or togetherness within the body

 Facilitate Stability/Maturity (Eph. 4.12,13) i.e. Equip & Edify ‘Equipping is putting a thing into the condition in which it ought to be that it might do what it ought' ‘Edifying is Building up, feeding, fortifying through caring but uncompromising teaching- preaching; declaring, not so much what people want to hear but what they ought to hear.’

The passage says that the saints are equipped and edified for service (the work of the ministry, diakonia, v.12) The passage says that the saints are equipped and edified for service (the work of the ministry, diakonia, v.12) Note the 4 Cs of Maturity (both manner and measure of maturity) Note the 4 Cs of Maturity (both manner and measure of maturity)

4Cs of Maturity Maturity = growth in CHARACTER, Maturity = growth in CHARACTER, growth in CONDUCT, growth in CONCEPTS and growth in COMMITMENT. growth in CONDUCT, growth in CONCEPTS and growth in COMMITMENT.

Closing Challenge Leaders: Are you fully committed to the biblical purposes of leadership in the local church and the biblical purposes of the Church? Leaders: Are you fully committed to the biblical purposes of leadership in the local church and the biblical purposes of the Church? Members: Using the 4 Cs of maturity, are you really maturing as a Christian and as a member of your local church? Members: Using the 4 Cs of maturity, are you really maturing as a Christian and as a member of your local church?