1. LEADING THE FAITH COMMUNITY A BIBLICAL PRIMER (1)

2. INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE DOING

3. Israel and Its Community Structures: Shaped by: Tribes— Clans— Families— Natural oversight by: National Leaders— Heads of Clans— Family Patriarchs— Additional direction through: Priests (religious)— Elders (social/judicial)— The Church and Its Community Structures: Shaped by: Ethnic/Social Groupings— Congregations— Developing Leadership Positions: Apostles— Deacons— Elders— Evangelists— Pastors— Teachers— THE SOCIAL NATURE OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY

4. THE “GOLDEN CHAIN” OF LEADERSHIP Leadership of the faith community throughout the Bible is: Fluid Fluid—changing personalities and roles as times and circumstances altered Responsive Responsive—attuned to rising needs and changing conditions Divinely-appointed and anointed Divinely-appointed and anointed—biblical leadership is always initiated by God and is not a matter of self-promotion or popular election Arising out of Talents Arising out of Talents—God calls to leadership those who have been prepared for leadership Nurtured by Spiritual Gifts Nurtured by Spiritual Gifts—God’s Spirit equips those God calls to leadership These things can be seen in the changing Point Persons and Communities of leadership throughout the history of God’s People: 1.Moses plus Aaronic Priests (Exodus-Deuteronomy) 2.Joshua plus Elders (Joshua) 3.Judges plus Samuel (Judges-1 Samuel) 4.Kings plus Prophets (2 Samuel-Malachi) 5.Jesus plus Apostles (New Testament)

5. Biblical Examples of Leadership Moses & the Elders of Israel—organization (Review Exodus 18) Joshua & the Elders of Israel—management (Review Joshua 23-24) David & Solomon—vision-casting (Review 2 Samuel 5-7; 1 Kings 1-10) Nehemiah—community revitalization & rebuilding (Review Nehemiah) Paul: Church Organization(Review Acts 14) Training of Young Pastors(Review Timothy & Titus)