Learning The Art of Leadership Servant Team Sept 2015

Luke 17:10 – “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.”

Character Alone Is Not Enough Servant Leadership

Character Alone Is Not Enough Servant Leadership Mark 10

Character Alone Is Not Enough Servant Leadership

Character Alone Is Not Enough Servant Leadership John 13 – “a slave is not greater than his master… love one another as I have loved you” Biblical teaching on “love” John 21 – “shepherd my sheep” Matt 28 – “go and make disciples” If our Servant Team doesn’t know how to lead…

Andrew Murray Some men are born to lead. It is their very nature, and they often do it instinctively. There are others to whom it never comes naturally. They either withdraw from it; or, if they attempt it, they utterly fail. Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author

Andrew Murray They appear to be lacking in the gifts that equip them for this work of leading others. It is always a struggle and an effort for them… Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author

Andrew Murray In family life we have a very unusual and very serious situation: Every parent has to lead, whether he is suited for it or not. The fact that he is not suited does not take away his responsibility… Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author

Andrew Murray This lack of natural ability “is never so absolute that determined effort could not remedy this weakness, or that the grace of God could not change it” Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author

Andrew Murray A Christian must not ask if a task is easy or natural, if he likes it, or if it appears possible. His question must be: What is duty? What has God commanded? Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author

Andrew Murray My duty is never measured by what I feel is within my power to do, but by what God’s grace makes possible for me. I do not know how much grace can enable me to do, until I begin. Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author

Andrew Murray My duty is never measured by what I feel is within my power to do, but by what God’s grace makes possible for me. I do not know how much grace can enable me to do, until I begin. Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author One major error: Passivity -“weakness can become wickedness in ourselves and our children” (p. 118) -We feel like we don’t know what we’re doing, so we shut down -It’s OK to admit we fall short, but we need to take initiative to grow in our leadership

Andrew Murray [S]tudy some of the simplest laws in the art of leadership. Like any other skill of which we are ignorant, leading must be learned. Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author

Andrew Murray First, do not give too many commands at once—begin with only one… As in all learning we must proceed from the easy to the more difficult… Hasty or untimely commands lead to disobedience. Murray, Raising Your Children For Christ (Whitaker House, 1984) p th c. Pastor & Author Another major error: Overreaching

Overreaching Afflicts parents and other Christian leaders Good leaders don’t nitpick or waste their influence on unimportant issues -Some go after the wrong issues and then they get mad at people for tuning them out -Would you go after an issue that you didn’t know you could win? -Patterns and attitudes vs. one time actions

Overreaching Often results from impatience When the people you are supposed to lead quit listening to you…

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership If someone feels like they don’t know what they’re doing, wouldn’t they want to seek out gifted leaders and listen to input? -Often not the case (e.g. Saul) 1. Learn from other gifted leaders “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel?” (1 Sam 15:17)

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership If someone feels like they don’t know what they’re doing, wouldn’t they want to seek out gifted leaders and listen to input? -Often not the case (e.g. Saul) -Could insecurity be the biggest enemy of accurate discernment and effective leadership? 1. Learn from other gifted leaders

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership If someone feels like they don’t know what they’re doing, wouldn’t they want to seek out gifted leaders and listen to input? -Often not the case (e.g. Saul) -Could insecurity be the biggest enemy of accurate discernment and effective leadership? 1. Learn from other gifted leaders If you find yourself rejecting advice from good leaders It’s painful to watch Prov. 12:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is the one who listens to counsel

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership Some leaders have a tendency toward secrecy (e.g. poker) Gifted leaders tend to talk about things a lot sooner, even before they have it all figured out. 2. Transparency

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership Practically -Willing to share opinions and bring up confusing ministry situations -Try to avoid speaking in absolutes 2. Transparency

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership Practically -Willing to share opinions and bring up confusing ministry situations -Try to avoid speaking in absolutes 2. Transparency “No” vs. “I’m reluctant to do that because…” “I thought it was strange that …” “The more I think about this, the more I wonder if we should…” Starts the conversation and gets others involved too

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership Practically -Willing to share opinions and bring up confusing ministry situations -Try to avoid speaking in absolutes -Try to tie decisions back to principles 2. Transparency

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership Practically -Willing to share opinions and bring up confusing ministry situations -Try to avoid speaking in absolutes -Try to tie decisions back to principles 2. Transparency ______________ is for ______________ The ministry house is for _____________ Men’s retreat is for __________________ Servant Team is for _________________

3 Practical Steps to Better Leadership No criticizing unless you have a positive suggestion Try to bring up negatives in positive ways (cf. 2 Cor. 8:7) People already are feeling bad about their sin. Your job is to show them why they should have hope! 3. Be Positive

Conclusions Christ has called you to lead Even the most gifted leaders have a lot to learn in this area -Can’t settle for passivity -Not overreaching either -Learning from other leaders -Transparent -As positive as possible

Servant Team, Sept 2015 Questions? Comments? Experiences?