The Bridge: Leadership character
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Transcript of The Bridge: Leadership character
TheChristological World View of a
Leader
Saturday, 17 August 13
Leadership like Christ
The Call of GodThe Character of a Leader
The Characteristics of a LeaderServanthood
Vision and leadershipTeam ministry
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Richard Chamberlain
Saturday, 17 August 13
Contacting me:http://rdcramblings.com/[email protected]
+91 9593 816284Visit my homeFacebook
Skype: rdc2506Twitter: @rdcramblings
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Which biblical references do you think are most
important for us in understanding the nature of leadership and how best to exercise leadership in the
modern church?
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1 Timothy 3:1-13
1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
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4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
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8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
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11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
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Using the biblical references as a basis for
your answer:Formulate (write) your own (brief) definition of
leadership
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Worth noting and asking, “why is this interesting?”
There are many diverse definitions of leadership: Burt Nanus and Warren Bennis report some three hundred and fifty definitions of "leadership" that leadership researchers have generated over the last thirty years
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J Oswald Sanders,“If those who hold influence over others fail to lead towards the spiritual uplands, then surely the path to the lowlands will be well worn. People travel together; no one lives detached and alone. We dare not take lightly God’s call to leadership in our lives.”
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Who is this?
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William Carey laboured for 7
years before his first convert in
India.
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•For six years, the Careys moved from one place to another, seeking employment and a place to get established. The list of obstacles they encountered is staggering:
•The lack of funds - They nearly starved.•The difficulty of the Bengali language.
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•The defection of Ram Basu, a convert from Thomas’ former time of ministry, who at first had been a great help to them
•Opposition of the East India Company, the dominant political force
•A flood•A drought•The death of their son, Peter
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•Six years, without an Indian coming to Jesus after faithful preaching
•Criticism of the Home Committee. “Why aren’t you seeing more fruit?” “Why are you wasting your time in economic employment?”
•Two new missionaries who came to help, died soon after they arrived
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Dorothy, William’s wife, couldn’t take the strain. She hadn’t wanted to come in the first place. Culture shock gripped her. Her sister married an English planter and left their home. But the death of her son, Peter, was the last straw. She sank into mental illness, and never recovered.
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William Carey is considered the father of modern missions - his influence lives on -what we do in church planting and
teaching and training at least in part comes out of his obedience in following
the great commission.
1793 Appointed missionary to India, 10
January; Arrived in Calcutta, 11 November.
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Paul to the Corinthian church...
We are afflicted in every way...For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh
2 Corinthians 4:7ff
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“Everything rises and falls on
leadership”John Maxwell
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What leadership is not
Adapted from an original idea from Greg Morris
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• Often the church has taken the world's definition of leadership - position, prestige, perks and privileges - and applied it to Christian leadership - the result is a wrong leadership model and practice • Christian leadership begins and
ends in a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ!
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1. Leadership is not a position or a title
Reverend, doctor, pastor, evangelist....Leadership is more than a title or name. You live it every dayChristian leaders should be certain that their goal is to serve God and others, not to receive the title or honour that comes with leadership.Rehoboam 1Kings 12:6,7,10,16,17
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2. Leadership is not building a personality cult (personal
following)
Leaders does not get people to follow them, instead they encourage them to walk more closely with the Lord Jesus ChristAbsalom 2 Samuel 15
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3. Leadership is not being indispensable
Some leaders build followers, while others build leaders.A true leader is seen in the fact that the things must and can go on without him or her.Jesus spent his time training the 12 - when Jesus ascended to heaven then the church explodedPaul trained Timothy his ‘true son’ 1Ti 1:2, 2Tim 1:2
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4. Leadership is not about blaming others
Leadership is first and foremost being honest and responsible for the decisions you make or fail to make. And often taking responsibility for mistakes of others you have trained.Adam and Eve in Eden – both looking to blame “someone else” for their failings
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5. Leadership is not about privileges
Many “leaders” are seen using their position for personal or financial gain. Leaders will not use their position for their own advantage or comfort and should not ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves.David with Uriah 2 Samuel 11
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5. Leadership is not about privileges
Many “leaders” are seen using their position for personal or financial gain. Leaders will not use their position for their own advantage or comfort and should not ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves.David with Uriah 2 Samuel 11
a special right, advantage available only to a particular
person or group
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Only through modelling Christ's example of servanthood will our leadership effectively and strategically shape the future.The best leaders see themselves as servants
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What are the most important
leadership tasks a Christian (church) leader performs?
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How would you choose a church pastor (leader) -
what criteria, skills or other
factors would be important?
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AnointingAbilityWisdom
CommitmentFaith
Bob Gordon
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The Danger of the world
“Whenever I meet a Buddhist leader, I meet a holy man. Whenever I meet a Christian leader, I meet a manager.”
Japanese Businessman to a visiting Australian
As quoted in 9 Marks of a Healthy Church page 231
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Christian congregations and church authorities repeatedly choose leaders based on their occupations, personalities or professional achievements rather than biblical qualifications for leadership. The result? Church congregations remain spiritually immature. False doctrine is taught. Biblical truth is neglected. Pastors are dismissed. Churches split apart...
The Leadership Dynamic page 53
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Instead of searching for leaders with secular qualifications, we are to search for people of character, reputation, ability to handle the Word, and who display the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Those are the kind of people we should...commit the responsibility of leading a congregation.
9 Marks of a Healthy Church, Page 231-232
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Titus 1:5-9
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach.
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He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
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The Character of a Leader
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Preliminary Questions
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•Do you keep your word? •Can people trust you?•Do you finish something you
promise to finish and do you do it on time?
•If you are told some gossip, what do you do with it?
•Matt 12:36
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•Have you ever found it difficult under the leadership of another person?
•Do you willingly submit to authority? If not, why not?
•Eph 5:18-21http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/
watchman-on-the-wall/40613-was-money-at-the-root-of-sam-hinn-s-rapid-fire-restoration
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•Have you ever found it difficult under the leadership of another person?
•Do you willingly submit to authority? If not, why not?
•Eph 5:18-21http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/
watchman-on-the-wall/40613-was-money-at-the-root-of-sam-hinn-s-rapid-fire-restoration
Sam Hinn was the pastor of The Gathering Place in Sanford, FL
He issued a letter to his church about an indiscretion (4 year affair) and resigned
He submitted to a process of restoration led by pastor Ron Johnson who laid out a 2-year process for him
He did not accept this and was recently “re-ordained” by another group of bishops
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The things that captivate our hearts will
dominate our thoughts, and our thoughts will
dominate our lives.
What is your heart captivated by?
Matt 6:21
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•Are there any people you have not forgiven or you feel you cannot forgive? Why? Matt 6:14-15
•Do you find it easy to admit that you are wrong? (What does this reveal about yourself?) Matthew 5:21-26
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•How do you react when confronted with an ungodly situations or something that appeals to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes or the pride of life? 2 Timothy 2:22
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35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Matthew 12:35-38
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2There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
Luke 12:2-4
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"The main ingredient of good leadership is good character. This is because leadership involves conduct and conduct is determined by values."
Norman Schwarzkopf
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• Godliness is more important than giftedness
• Many people have been gifted but have led people into destruction
• God develops the heart of a leader producing godly character
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“Possession of godly character, alone, assures true fruit, lasting influence and durable leadership. No amount of ‘fancy footwork’ or ‘bells and whistles’, ever produce a genuine, godly leader
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…Although I have no suspicion or criticism to make of any zealous leader’s efforts to seek help from leadership methods or systems, true leadership ultimately is found only at Jesus’ feet and is shaped and kept only in the heart”
Jack Hayford
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Define character:what words might you
use to describe it?
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Character
Greek word charakter derived from a word which was used for an embosser or a stamp for making coins. Heb. 1:3 – of Jesus, stamped with the divine nature or character
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• Character is the action of an individual under pressure.
• Character is the seat of one’s moral being
• Character is the inner life of a man
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Circumstances do not determine your character, they reveal it, and become the occasion to refine it.
Leadership Dynamic p81
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According to Scripture, virtually everything that truly qualifies a person for leadership is directly related to character. It's not about style, status, personal charisma, clout, or worldly measurements of success. Integrity is the main issue that makes the difference between a good leader and a bad one.
John MacArthur
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The following section is adapted from an original by John C. Maxwell
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1. Character is about more than just devotion, it involves transformation of / in your life, not simply inspiration
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.“
Abraham Lincoln
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2. Character is not what we will be in the future – it is what you are now
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Character is more than talk•What you do reveals who you are• So your actions and intentions need
to be one • The development of leadership
character takes is about God shaping your heart (not just your habits)
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3. Character involves how we think, our motives and attitudes, and ultimately our choices - God looks on the heart
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Character is a choiceMany things you do not choose in life –
family, upbringing etcWe do create our character each time
we make a choice or take a decision
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"In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do."
Stephen Covey
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"You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.“
James A. Froude
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4. Character is revealed under pressure – how do you act and respond when the heat is on?
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4. Character is revealed under pressure – how do you act and respond when the heat is on?
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How a leader deals with circumstances (or a crisis) reveals his characterConsider Saul’s actions in 1Samuel 13:13
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5. Character is not simply knowing how to act. We might know the Bible – we have to live out the principles
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Character goes beyond obedience to rules.For us it involves the Holy Spirit speaking to our inner man, leading and guiding us
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6. Character involves all people whether in or out of the KOG. This includes our families, the church and all people outside of the church that we encounter
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Character involves transparency before, and accountability to other people. It is not merely a private quest for purity; it is not solely a man-to-his-God humility
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7. Character brings lasting success with peopleFollowers trust people with good character – if it is flawed people will not continue to follow you
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8. Leaders cannot rise above the character limitations that they have!
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e.g. King SaulSometime you see successful people fall apart – why? Their character is not good enough to support their success. Character will sustain you through the stress which comes with successBe sure your sins will find you out!
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The Importance of Integrity
1. I will practice what I preach 2. I will live what I teach3. I will be honest with others4. I will put what is best for others
ahead of what is best for me5. I will be transparent, authentic and
vulnerableAdapted from Leadership Dynamics Newsletter
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The Importance of Integrity
1. I will practice what I preach 2. I will live what I teach3. I will be honest with others4. I will put what is best for others
ahead of what is best for me5. I will be transparent, authentic and
vulnerableAdapted from Leadership Dynamics Newsletter
the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles - the state of being whole and
undivided
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Actions determine your emotions:
you don't do what you do because you feel the way you
feel, you feel the way you feel
because you do what you do!
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bad character disables theman of God
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Think of Biblical examples of how poor character inhibited a man / woman of God
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The following examples are of men of God from the Bible – yet all sinned and so fell
short of all the Lord desired for them, or the
people under their leadership - because of poor
or flawed character
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Saul
1 Samuel 10" "
Anointed king" "Strong and mighty"Great Warrior" "Excellent leader""Humble" " "
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1 Samuel 10" " 1 Samuel 31
Anointed king" " Stripped of the ""(God chose)" Kingdom
Strong and mighty" Tried to murder David
Great Warrior" " Consulted mediums
Excellent leader" " Disloyal to his "" " " own son
Humble" " " Committed suicide
Major sin – an independent spirit
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David
1 Samuel 17" "Anointed king" "Mighty warrior" "Great worshipper"Faithful and loyal"Great leader" "
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1 Samuel 17" " 2 Samuel 11
Anointed king" " Disloyal to his menMighty warrior" " Committed adulteryGreat worshipper" Committed murderFaithful and loyal" Tried to hide his sinGreat leader" " Caused judgement to "" " " come on his family
Major sin – lust
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1 Samuel 17" " 2 Samuel 11
Anointed king" " Disloyal to his menMighty warrior" " Committed adulteryGreat worshipper" Committed murderFaithful and loyal" Tried to hide his sinGreat leader" " Caused judgement to "" " " come on his family
Major sin – lust
“...he [God] raised up David to be their king, of whom he
testified and said,‘I have found in David the son of
Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’”
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Solomon
2 Chron. 1:7-12 "
Anointed king" "
Humble and " "
prayerful"
Temple builder" "
Greatest kingdom" "
Great wealth &" "
wisdom " " "
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2 Chron. 1:7-12 " 1 Kings 11 – Ecc. 1
Anointed king" " Turned his heart from God
Humble and " " Worshipped idols
prayerful"
Temple builder" " Did evil in God’s sight
Greatest kingdom" " Kingdom was torn from him
Great wealth &" " Became vain and
wisdom " " " philosophicalMajor sin – pride, greed, self confidence, wrong values
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…and in the New Testament Peter
• Matthew 16• “You are the Christ…” (16)• “Never Lord…” (22)
• Matthew 26• “Even if all fall away…” (33)• “I don’t know the man” (74)
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Key Thought
‘Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.’"
Charles Swindoll
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In terms of character our aim is The Fruit of
the Spirit
• The character qualities which the Holy Spirit seeks to develop in our lives Gal. 5:22,23
• You will not be perfect but should be a good example so people see God in you
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• Character is shaped by the process of transformation that takes place in you - God will use many different ways and means to shape your character
• So for character formation we need to know:• what the Bible says, and,• allow the Holy Spirit to apply those
values in your life
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Simple Principles for developing good character
as a man of god how do you develop godly character?
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i) The In-Out Principle
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i) The In-Out Principle
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ii) The Transparency Principle - No Hiding Place
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ii) The Transparency Principle - No Hiding Place
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iii) The Principle of Testing
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iii) The Principle of Testing
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iv) The Reflective Principle
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iv) The Reflective Principle
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God’s leaders are only as effective as the quality of
their relationship with Him
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The challenges involved in Christian leadership are powerful. All areas of your life become exposed and are open for the enemy to attack.
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i) The In-Out Principle
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i) The In-Out Principle
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You are in a Fishbowl
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You are in a FishbowlPeople inspect every area of
your life - they see everything that is in the bowl
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• People will constantly be watching you
• Jesus exemplified godliness and holiness to His disciples - his enemies (and disciples) could find no sin in him
• Is there hidden sin in your life?
Does the Gospel work in your life?
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• People will constantly be watching you
• Jesus exemplified godliness and holiness to His disciples - his enemies (and disciples) could find no sin in him
• Is there hidden sin in your life?
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• Our first tastes of leadership are important – making sure we keep our eyes on the Lord and not on the praise and affirmation of the people
• Success may seem to negate the need for obeying God and being dependent on Him - Success is a difficult test to negotiate
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Make sure you Walk the Way of Holiness
• All leaders need to work towards the place where they do not love the world or anything in it
• God and his will should be the prime concern of their lives
• 1 John 2:15–17Saturday, 17 August 13
What are the greatest temptations in society
today?Are the temptations faced by leaders different to those of the
people they serve in the church?
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Do not Love the World
• Leaders should live a life where the things of the world cannot get a hold of our lives
• Money, Sex and Power…• This often takes a great deal
of preparation of life - it involves leaving our way and going God’s way
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• Our relationship with God should take priority over everything else
• Essential in order to be able to distinguish good from evil
• Hebrews 5:14; Matthew 5:48; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Timothy 6:11
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Control your environment
• A bad environment does not necessarily hinder a person’s spiritual growth in God.
• Evil can become a catalyst for seeking the Lord and developing a godly character
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• Most environments today have much that is sinful within them.
• Leaders need to set the example of how to live in such a world and yet not sin.
• 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4,5
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• Most environments today have much that is sinful within them.
• Leaders need to set the example of how to live in such a world and yet not sin.
• 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4,5
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world...
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
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Resist Sin
• The more you resist sin and choose to go God’s way, the more the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in your life
• Heb 12:4
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iii) The Principle of Testing
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iii) The Principle of Testing
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Tests, Trials and
Temptations
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• Are designed by God to improve the quality and genuineness of our walk with Him – Joseph, can you walk with God in the ‘darkness’
• They humble, teach and discipline• They refine us
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• Throw us on the Lord and teach us to be dependent on Him – Abraham having Isaac
• They develop perseverance/overcomer spirit in us
• They strengthen our faith
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• Refine or purify us spiritually – Samuel walked with the Lord in a corrupt situation
• Tests establish the pattern of our future decisions
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• Show us what is real and what is not – Peter happy to confess Jesus, follow anywhere, then comes denial!
• The foundation was tested and what could be shaken taken away
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• Show us what is of God and what is not – Elijah facing Ahab & Jezebel, discouragement brought unreality 1Kings 19:10
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• Assess and examine our inner attitudes and sources of motivation – fear of man Pr 29:25
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• Reveal to us our weaknesses and limitations so that we can depend on God more – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
• Tests show us what we are really like
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Tests are part of God’s work in preparing our lives to receive the good things God desires to give usThrough tests God works into the leaders certain necessary experiences of life which will enable them to understand and help other people in ministry• 2 Corinthians 1:4, Hebrews 4:15
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• Leaders need strong, godly character in order to withstand trials, persecutions and temptation
• Gifts and abilities are not enough to make any ministry ultimately successful
• But remember that simply having good character does not mean a person should be a leader.
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‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’
James 1:2–4
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Specific Tests of Leadership
adapted from original work by Frank Damazio
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The Time Test
…the portion of a leader’s ministry in which God does not seem, at least by all outward appearances, to be fulfilling the word that was given to a leader in the past.
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The Time Test
…the portion of a leader’s ministry in which God does not seem, at least by all outward appearances, to be fulfilling the word that was given to a leader in the past.
Do you know how to pray in faith for something God has said - and
then to wait upon God for his time, and his way, of fulfillment?
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•Purpose–Opportunity to grow in faith–Purification of the leader’s motives and
attitudes–God to prove Himself to be a miracle-
working and faithful God
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•Example–Abraham –75 when left Haran
Gen 12:1-9–100 when promise
fulfilled Gen 17:1; 18:10
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The Word Test
…the experience of contradictory circumstances in relation to the written or quickened Word of God to a leaderNot being able to understand how the known will of the Lord is presently coming to pass in his life, God purposely allows contrary situations in a leader’s life and ministry
Saturday, 17 August 13
The Word Test
…the experience of contradictory circumstances in relation to the written or quickened Word of God to a leaderNot being able to understand how the known will of the Lord is presently coming to pass in his life, God purposely allows contrary situations in a leader’s life and ministry
How do you respond when things are “going wrong” - do you doubt
God’s word to you?
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•Joseph - favourite son of Jacob–At 17 years of age, he received a word from the Lord in the form of two dreams (37:5-11)
–The events that followed:•Sold•Seduced•Hopes dashed
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•Purpose• Cause the leader not
to depend upon his own resources
• Motivate a leader to depend solely on God’s strength
• Brings a greater influence upon more people at the end of the experience
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The Character Test
…when a leader is surrounded by ungodliness that attempts to pull him in its directionAnd, also when a leader is tempted to sin in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life
Saturday, 17 August 13
The Character Test
…when a leader is surrounded by ungodliness that attempts to pull him in its directionAnd, also when a leader is tempted to sin in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life
Do you give in to temptation?Are you a ‘different person’
when talking to non-believers, to poor people, to pastors...?
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•Samuel • born into a corrupt situation• Eli was a corrupt high priest and
did not discipline his sons• Samuel was a very young boy in the
midst of a corrupt priesthood yet he worshipped God and kept himself from sin
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•Purpose–In order to develop positive character qualities (e.g. fruit of HS), God puts His leaders in difficult places so that they will stand strong in Him
–Show the leader the different areas of weakness
–Motivate a leader to stand up boldly against the powers of darkness around him
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The Motivation Test
…a heavenly examination during which God exposes to the leader what are the real inward and outward forces that are controlling the making of his decisions
Saturday, 17 August 13
The Motivation Test
…a heavenly examination during which God exposes to the leader what are the real inward and outward forces that are controlling the making of his decisions
In using your gifts how often do you get some of the glory -
do your illustrations make you look good to others?
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Balaam - Num 22-24Balak the king of Moab, had seen how Israel had defeated all of her enemies in the land, and, feared that his nation would also be destroyedAsked the prophet to curse the Israelite nation - Incentive / motivation - Money
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Balaam told Balak that the Lord had told him not to go with his elders nor to curse the people of IsraelBalak kept on pressing: more distinguished representatives - the bribe seems to keep increasing 22:7; 15; 17 Balaam said he could only speak what the Lord told him toBalaam failed this test
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PurposeTo purify desires and intentions God arranges situations in order that a leader’s true priorities are revealed What motivates him on the inside may be different than what seems to motivate him on the outside
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The Servant Test
…when a man is asked to do menial tasks that seem below his high calling in GodThe servant test reveals whether a ministers motivation is to help and to serve, or whether it is to be in the public’s eye and to be served
Saturday, 17 August 13
The Servant Test
…when a man is asked to do menial tasks that seem below his high calling in GodThe servant test reveals whether a ministers motivation is to help and to serve, or whether it is to be in the public’s eye and to be served
Do you only do the servant job when you know it will be
noticed?
Saturday, 17 August 13
ElishaWhen Elijah found Elisha he was ploughing in the field with 12 yoke of oxen (1 Kings 19:21)Was that the proper place for a man called to be a prophet over all of Israel?2 Kings 3:11 “Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah”
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PurposeTo reveal true motivation for serviceTo teach those that may be called by God what it feels like to do different jobs in the local church
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ii) The Transparency Principle - No Hiding Place
Saturday, 17 August 13
ii) The Transparency Principle - No Hiding Place
Saturday, 17 August 13
Maintain A Clear Conscience
• Our conscience is God’s alarm bell which goes off when we cross some boundary that we know we shouldn’t
• Our conscience needs to be trained by God’s Word
Saturday, 17 August 13
Maintain A Clear Conscience
• Our conscience is God’s alarm bell which goes off when we cross some boundary that we know we shouldn’t
• Our conscience needs to be trained by God’s Word
a person's moral sense of right and wrong, seen to act as a
guide to one's behaviour
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• If your conscience is troubling you, seek God and put it right asap (repent/confession 1Jn 1:7–9)
• A leader must maintain a clear conscience towards others by ridding himself of all hatred, anger, jealousy, bitterness, and unforgiveness
Saturday, 17 August 13
Every day you should Deny your Self
• Leaders need to learn to live out Luke 9:23• Establish and live according to the
priorities the Lord has given you (do not live out someone else's ministry)
• This does not mean running around after people and never having time with family or with the Lord.
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Saturday, 17 August 13
“The first lesson in Christ's school is
self-denial.”Matthew Henry
Saturday, 17 August 13
“The first lesson in Christ's school is
self-denial.”Matthew Henry
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I have now concentrated all my
prayers into one, and that one prayer
is this, that I may die to self, and live
wholly to Him.CH Spurgeon
Saturday, 17 August 13
• Leaders need to conquer their self-will, and trust God and do whatever He asks them to do (hard as leaders are often go-getters / achievers)
• God will ask us, at times, to give up good things like natural abilities or promises
• Self-discipline is especially important for your mind. Rom 12:1,2; Eph 4:22–24
Saturday, 17 August 13
Keep on going - Remain Faithful, persevere
Rev 2:7, to the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life
2:11 ...will not be hurt by the second death2:17 ...I will give some of the hidden
manna2:26...i will give authority over nations
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Think of:Biblical or historical examples
of people who remained faithful, and who persevered in the face
of difficulty or adversityIs there something you see in
their life that helped them overcome?
Saturday, 17 August 13
John Paton and his wife Mary arrived in the New Hebrides on November 5th 1858.The people were as fierce as he had been told. Cannibal celebrations took place in sight of the Patons' home and human blood fouled the drinking water. The natives frightened Joseph Copeland so much that he lost his wits and died; they continually threatened John. Time and again they lifted their guns to shoot him, or raised their axes to bash him in the head, but always they held back as if restrained by a greater power.
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Early the next year, Mary bore a son. Both mother and child came down with fevers and died. With a breaking heart, John dug their grave and laid them in it. Later he said, "But for Jesus, and the fellowship He vouchsafed me there, I must have gone mad and died beside that lonely grave!"
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One of the gifts that Jesus had given him to sustain him in those days were the
words his wife spoke shortly before here death…She did not murmur against God, or resent her husband bringing her there.
Rather she spoke these incredible words— and you find them again and again where
the Bible has sunk into the heart—"I do not regret leaving home and friends. If I had it
to do over, I would do it with more pleasure, yes, with all my heart"
Saturday, 17 August 13
The first Protestant missionary set foot on Chinese soil on September 7, 1807. His name was Robert Morrison. He was a Scottish Presbyterian, and except for one furlough, he spent the next 27 years in China.
Saturday, 17 August 13
Persevering against the hostility of official opposition and the resistance of foreign merchants, Morrison baptized the first Chinese Protestant Christian, Cai Gao, on July 16, 1814. After the baptism of Cai Gao, Morrison wrote prophetically in his journal, “May he be the first-fruits of a great harvest, one of millions who shall come and be saved on the day of wrath to come."
Saturday, 17 August 13
In 2007 it was reported:At the time of the Communist takeover in 1949, there were roughly 900,000 Protestants. Today, the Center for the Study of Global Christianity... says there are 111 million Christians in China, roughly 90% Protestant and mostly Pentecostal. That would make China the third-largest Christian country on earth, following only the USAand Brazil.
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• Sometimes, the going will get tough - whatever our circumstances, God wants us to remain faithful to our calling.
• Faithfulness comes as a result of knowing God, who is always faithful, Heb. 13:8, Isaiah 55:11
Saturday, 17 August 13
• Sometimes, the going will get tough - whatever our circumstances, God wants us to remain faithful to our calling.
• Faithfulness comes as a result of knowing God, who is always faithful, Heb. 13:8, Isaiah 55:11
Saturday, 17 August 13
• Do you trust God, even if the circumstances, for a time, seem to contradict His word?
• Faith is believing God, rather than what we see or feel Hebrews 11:1,6
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Many Spirit-filled leaders expect never to experience times of darkness or
confusion in which they cannot discover God’s will, unless they fall
into sin. God, on occasions, purposefully allows us to go through
tough times.Bob Gordon
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iv) The Reflective Principle
Saturday, 17 August 13
iv) The Reflective Principle
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God’s leaders are only as effective as the quality of
their relationship with Him
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Leaders should not rely on yesterday’s bread. They need continually to be coming to God in order to get fresh material for their own delighting in God - and for those they lead
Saturday, 17 August 13
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him
Psalm 37:7
Saturday, 17 August 13
Be still and know that I am GodPsalm 46:10
Saturday, 17 August 13
After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’Acts 13:22
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• Exodus 33:7ff• Isa 40: 27-31• Psalm 42:1-11• Mark 1:35ff• Luke 6:12f
Saturday, 17 August 13
The Need
• Spiritual leadership begins and ends with a full dependence on God
• Often Christians relegate waiting on God to times of stress and difficulty
• Others try everything but waiting on God in order to find fulfillment, success and purpose in life
• God wants us to be available to hear his voice
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• All God’s leaders should be people who meet with God regularly
• Waiting on God is not a one-off thing—it needs to be a daily discipline
• Many Christian leaders feel that their lives are too busy to do this
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• God has made a way for us to come into His very presence through Jesus: Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:19–22; 1 John 3:21,22
• God wants us to come to Him and to develop our relationship with Him.
• ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’ James 4:8
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What’s important to you?
• Christianity will not seem to work unless our inner spiritual life is in order. Therefore, waiting on God needs to be our first priority of life as a Christian
• Most people spend most time and energy attaining possessions, position, friends, a good family life etc.
• The greatest commandment - Luke 10:27
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• What do you think God’s priority for your use of time is?
• Jesus told Martha (who was very busy serving Him and complaining that her sister Mary was doing nothing to help) that Mary chose the better thing because she sat at His feet and was listening to Him (Luke 10:38–42).
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• ‘Waiting on God is not optional, it is an essential part of every leaders life.
• Seeking God in solitude and silence is not a lazy alternative to doing something more fruitful for God nor is it unproductive, it is the foundation upon which we should build our lives and our service for God
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Farewell, until we meet again...
Saturday, 17 August 13