Month: December 2019

Role of the Shepherd…#1

A frequently asked question in the church today is, “What is an elders’ role?” We often refer to the qualifications (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1), but what exactly is their function?

The term “shepherd” has become more popular in recent years. As a result, a shepherd’s work is aligned with what we read in Psalm 23. He leads, guides, refreshes, walks alongside, comforts, prepares, and anoints. 

Perhaps others come to mind, but these provide a healthy list related to a shepherd’s role, or work. 

Over the next few days, we will examine another perspective provided by Jesus. The intent is to help us consider the responsibility of the church’s leadership today.

Bringing Happiness…

An old saying claims, “Everyone brings happiness, some when they come and some when they leave.” It would be great if leaders brought happiness when they arrived rather than when they left, but such is not always the case. 

At some point, we all leave and when that time comes we have to decide the level of integrity and Christlike character we will demonstrate. Consider the following.

Remember the greater good of followers.
Always accept responsibility for actions.
Be kind, never harsh or abrasive no matter how unfairly treated.
Consider Jesus.

We are leaders and how leave makes a difference.

Leading the Invisible…

How can we lead people who are unseen, or those often described as “the invisible”?

What makes them invisible? Perhaps their skin color? Clothes they wear? Home where they live (or lack thereof)? Their smell, or lack of personal hygiene?

Maybe we do not want to see because we’re afraid.

Maybe it’s because of preconceived ideas. After all, they made a choice, right? Why don’t they just get a job? 

Have we ever pulled up to an intersection where someone stands with a sign asking for help? Do we look at them? Do we look through them? Do we become judgmental?

It is difficult to lead those we make invisible.

A Leadership Challenge…

Challenges are defined as tasks or situations that test someone’s abilities.

There are two primary thoughts for leaders.

1) Leaders must challenge themselves to find ways that test their abilities and strengthen their character.

2) Leaders must challenge others by presenting tasks or situations that produce growth in the abilities of followers. 

People arise to what is expected of them. Experience has proven that when leaders provide encouragement and a level of expectation, followers come through. 

We must learn how to develop the discipline to strengthen our own leadership and that of followers to achieve growth in the church.

Do We Need To Change?

We often hear, “Change is not always good, but it is not always bad either.”

While reading quotes from Jack Welch, one struck a cord, “If the rate of change inside an organization is less than the rate of change outside the organization…their end is in sight.”

Let’s clarify, this is not about changing the message. The message never changes. However, methodology must change. If not, what we’ve experienced in recent years will continue.

Leaders must communicate the need for change and how to implement it timely. They must also ensure that the change inside keeps up appropriately with the change outside.

Doing so prevents the end and provides success.

A Leadership Prayer…

What would happen if we prayed “Lord, bring us all those that nobody else wants”? How would we respond if one by one those classified as “undesirable” came?

If we believe the gospel is for all, then are we working to see that all have opportunity to not only hear the gospel, but see that gospel in our actions?

The path is not an easy one to walk. However, leaders are not called to lead only those who are lovable, but the unlovable also.

Read through the gospels and notice who Jesus reached out to most. Who are they? Why did He reach out to them? What was the result? 

Are we listening?

Leadership Skill-Set…

A person’s range of abilities makes up their skill-set. Leaders must use this range of abilities to assist in leading others. 

A couple of facts to remember.

1) Every leader has a skill-set.

2) Some skill-sets are natural, while others are learned.

3) Leaders must constantly work to develop, maintain, and grow their skill-set.

4) The greater the skill-set, the greater potential for strong leadership.

A study of people who are men and women of faith, e.g. Hebrews 11, provides a great starting point for learning the skill-set(s) most helpful for leadership.

These type of leaders will encourage leadership development in others.

Apathy and Indifference…

Has apathy and indifference robbed us of our faith?

Today’s news is old by tomorrow and forgotten the day after. We are bombarded with change, and these changes occur so quickly there is no accurate measurement of time to gauge it. 

We are so easily and quickly bored with the events that come and go that it doesn’t matter any more, nor do we care. 

Spiritually, we are not keeping up with these changes. Therefore, have apathy and indifference robbed us of our fire?

Leaders must guard against both. 

When we care about the people and events around us, we work to protect them from spiritual tragedy. Let us rise up!

The Path of Growth…

People who attempt to lead without first growing themselves is common. Leaders who attempt to lead without growing others is also common and sad.

Jack Welch is noted for saying, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

Spiritual leadership is essential when considering the current situation of the church and world.

However, when we do not first grow ourselves to be a leader and then grow others as a leader, everything and everyone suffers.

The true legacy of a spiritual leader is based on growing into a leader and growing others to be leaders.

Why?

Children tend to ask the most difficult question…why? They want to know the reason behind what we say and do.

Jesus asked several questions beginning with why.

Why are you worried?
Why are you afraid?
Why are you testing Me?
Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

We also need to think about it in relationship to leading.

Why are leaders needed?
Why should we lead?
Why are we making this decision?
Why are we making it at this time?

Why?

We could resolve many issues simply by answering the question…why?