Biblical Principles Are the Foundation of Church Leadership To Foster a Thriving Community
If we truly want the body of Christ to thrive, we need to learn the servant leadership style of King Jesus. He not only came to earth to redeem us but to show us how to lead and succeed on His earth. The Bible is our manual inspired by the Holy Spirit of God to show us how to prosper, spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially. It has all the solutions to every problem on earth. To foster a thriving community, we need to learn how to lead and serve others biblically and effectively.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
A thriving community starts with thriving leaders. As John Maxwell, an expert on leadership, stated, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” A church, like any other organization, will never become successful or effective if the leadership team doesn’t have the proper skills and competencies to lead. No successful business would ever hire unqualified leaders yet according to the book Teams That Thrive by Hartwig and Bird, more than 80 percent of church leaders have never gotten the required leadership or stewardship skills. What a detriment to the members.
God requires godly and mature character from His leaders. In Exodus 18:21-22 (AMP), we see that competent people who feared (revered) God were to be selected as leaders:
Furthermore, you shall select from all the people competent men who [reverently] fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; you shall place these over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens (emphasis added).
The Biblical qualifications for leaders are found in Titus 1:5-9, I Timothy 3:1-13, II Timothy 2:1-13, and Acts 6:1-6. Here is a sampling of these passages:
II Timothy 2:2 (AMP): The things [doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry] which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful people who will also be capable and qualified to teach others (emphasis added).
I Timothy 3:10 (TPT): And each of them must be found trustworthy according to these standards before they are given the responsibility to minister as servant-leaders without blame (emphasis added).
No one is born a leader, leadership is learned. Skills and character must be developed, and spiritual fruit must grow and mature. Skills can be taught but character cannot always be learned. Humble character is the most important asset to possess.
First, let us look at Google Dictionary’s definition of “qualified” “Officially recognized as being trained in particular skills through practice and instruction over a period of time: certified and competent.” The word “competent” encompasses your capabilities, education, skills, knowledge, experience, reputation, credibility, performance and results—your fruit.
Next, let us look at the Webster’s Dictionary definition of “incompetent” “Not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully.” Which definition best describes the leader you would like to have?
Imagine you are on a warship and going to battle with an unqualified or incompetent captain who makes comments such as:
• “I will learn how to steer the ship as I go along.”
• “I’m just going to lead and steer this ship by faith.”
• “I have experience paddling a canoe.”
• “My heart has good intentions and I love the Lord.”
• “I read the manual, so I have all I need!”
Would you want to get on the ship or go to war with a captain like this? Or would you want to fly on a plane with an untrained pilot? And yet I have heard comments like this from senior pastors. None of those attitudes or excuses would be acceptable in most organizations, yet they are allowed in the church.
Knowing theology does not make you a leader or a manager - steward. John Maxwell stated it this way, “Knowledge alone won’t make someone a leader but without knowledge no one can become one.” He also added, “Without leadership ability, a person’s impact can only bring limited effectiveness” (emphasis added).
SERVANT
It is not about the pulpit and the preaching. It is about serving the people and helping them get to where God wants them to be. It is coming alongside them to mentor, heal their wounds and focus on their calling and spiritual gifts so they can help advance God’s Kingdom on the earth.
Servant leaders never aspire to be on a pedestal, and they cannot stand mediocrity. If we truly desire to lead like Jesus, then we must check our egos at the cross. As proverbs 16:5 (TPT) proclaims “Exalting yourself is disgusting to the Lord, for pride attracts His punishment.” If you seek glory and applause from others, you will not receive it from God.
A servant leader is the opposite of being prideful and self-centered. Humility is the most important quality of the servant leader. The Bible states that the greatest in the Kingdom are the humble (Matthew 18:4). Philippians 2:3 (AMP) gives a definition of humility “Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor selfrighteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.” Humility will ask “what can I do for you?”. Only the emotionally and spiritually mature will be humble. Maturity has nothing to do with time, it has to do with obedience to God.
The competencies of a servant leader are as follows:
Good listener Empathetic Emotionally Intelligent (can manage their behavior)
Organized Humble Honest
Full of integrity Compassionate Accountable
Creative Encouraging Serves others
Adds value Honoring Mature
Servant leadership is about transforming people’s heart and mind to be more like Jesus – to serve and not be served (Mark 10:41-45). It is growing in love, humility, character, and servitude. It is about adding value to others, not taking it away. As Romans 12:12 states, we are to “outdo one another in showing respect and honor”. A servant leader is Christ centered, not self-centered.
CONSEQUENCES ON THE MEMBERS
Unqualified and unskilled people are certainly not thinking about the church members they are to lead. This is to the detriment of the members. No one can thrive if there are no Biblical servant leaders. Remember, we are the church. Church leaders are to be the trainers and equippers. How can the members be trained and equipped properly if the pastor or leaders are not trained themselves? You cannot give to others what you do not have.
There is a difference between being taught and being trained. The first is listening to teachings and reading books. The second is gaining skills and relevant experience. Training is making yourself ready by putting what you learned into practice with correction and feedback for the best results. This is much like a pilot who needs many hours of flight time—training and evaluation with an instructor who gives feedback and correction.
Everyone should desire self-improvement. Biblical Scriptures state “My people go into bondage for lack of knowledge” (Isaiah 5:13). The less effective and qualified the leader, the less people will want to follow them, which means people will not thrive because they are not being discipled or getting the proper training and equipping.
Unqualified pastors and leaders do not think of all the people they wound. The blind should not lead the blind (see Luke 6:39). Blind leaders produce blind followers. If God called you to be a leader, it is not only wise but should be mandatory to gain the necessary skills of leadership, stewardship (management), emotional intelligence, organization, time management, conflict resolution, and accountability. Additionally, it is important to understand personal boundaries before you get started.
Church growth and discipleship can go only so far because of the limitation of leadership. Ask yourself this question: “Why should people want to be discipled, mentored, and taught by me and not someone else?”
Biblical Scriptures have everything we need to thrive on this earth. It even explains the leadership style and character we must have. For the body of believers to succeed, there must be qualified, competent servant leaders to disciple, train, and equip effectively. “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” No one is born a leader, transformational leadership skills, like emotional intelligence, empathy, self-awareness, collaboration, proactivity, accountability and humility are learned. In addition, character must be developed, and spiritual fruits must grow and mature. Only when we understand our right calling, get the proper training, skills and knowledge, and have a heart to serve, can we then earn the trust and respect of the people so they will want to collaborate with us. Only when God sees our mature fruit will He say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
This blog has excerpts taken from my book: Well Done Good and Faithful Church Leader? Solutions to the Leadership Crisis in the Church. This book will go into depth about all the skills needed to lead effectively. To learn how to thrive in God’s Kingdom on earth, get my book Life in God’s Kingdom, How to Manifest Heaven on Earth.
Be free to be mighty for Jesus!
In freedom and might,
Jeannette
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