Accepting and Applying

Biblical LeadershipKenneth O. Gangel

St. Louis Area Ministers Association (SLAMA)

Elder Ferrell L. Roddy

LESSON GOALSI. Express reasons why biblical leaders are

needed in the church and society today;II. Cite at least three problems and three

cultural corruptions affecting the practice of biblical leadership;

III. Explain key features of New Testament leadership and contrast these with features of Old Testament leadership;

IV. Discover and reflect upon his or her leadership qualities, style and situation.

“We have different gifts according to the grace given us....If it is leadership, let him govern diligently.” (Romans 12:6-8)

The Big Idea: Christian leadership is a biblical and theological issue. Biblical leaders are humble servants who lead by restraining themselves, not by overpowering other people.

A well known Christian author, George Barna, comments:

“…the Christian Church in America is dying to lack of leadership. In this time of unprecedented opportunity and plentiful resources, the church is actually losing influence. The primary reason is the lack of leadership.”

Barna, 1997, 18

QUESTIONS:

Why has God raised up this church or ministry, in this place, at this time, and what does He want from us?

Why has God made me a leader at this time and in this place, and what does He want from me?

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP?Prominent Traits of the Leader…

abilities ____________________________________________ personality qualities ____________________________________________ style ____________________________________________ experience ____________________________________________ credentials ____________________________________________

Christian Leadership is influencing a group to identify and achieve ministry – related goals in a given situation.

Efficiency – doing things right.

Effectiveness – doing the right thing.

Christian Church1. a building for public Christian worship 2. religious services held in a church 3. a particular Christian denomination 4. Christians collectively 5. the clergy as distinguished from the laity 6. Church institutional religion as a political or social force: conflict between Church and State [Greek kuriakon (dōma) the Lord's (house)]

Christian Ministry

1. a. The act of serving; ministration.b. One that serves as a means; an

instrumentality.

2. a. The profession, duties, and services of a minister.

b. The Christian clergy.c. The period of service of a

minister.

Pastors (Ministers) are one of the most important keys to developing leaders in the Church.

However Pastors (Ministers) must grow in their own leadership gifts, qualities, and abilities.

Effective Pastors (Ministers) are responsible for preparing the next generation of leaders in the Church.

Church leaders today increasingly base their ministries on secular principles rather than the timeless principles of God’s Word.

The strength of the New Testament church came not from professionally trained leaders at the top, but from a few willing church volunteers who were each strategically placed to use their gifts in service of their Lord.

Empower others to lead as you train, mentor, and mobilize teams for ministry.

James Means: “Spiritual leadership is the development of relationship with the people of a Christian institution or body in such a way that individuals and the group are enable to formulate and achieve biblically compatible goals that meet real needs…By their ethical influence, spiritual leaders serve to motivate and enable others to achieve what otherwise would never have been achieved.”

I. PERSONAL LEADERSHIP QUESTIONS

Why do you think biblical leaders are needed in church and society today more than ever before?

What is a Bible verse or scriptural theme that guides you in your own leadership?

Christian Leadership is both biblical and theological which can be considered as a subset of the social sciences—like psychology and sociology.

The word "psychology" is the combination of two terms - study (ology) and soul (psyche), or mind. The derivation of the word from Latin gives it this clear and obvious meaning:

"Psyche" is defined as:1. The spirit or soul.2. The human mind.3. In psychoanalysis, the mind functioning as the center of thought, emotion, and behavior.

And defining "soul", we have:1. the spiritual or immortal elements in a person.2. a person's mental or moral or emotional nature.

Sociology is:1: the science of society, social institutions, and social relationships; specifically : the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings

2: the scientific analysis of a social institution as a functioning whole and as it relates to the rest of society

Biblical Theology is:“…That branch of theology science which deals

systematically with the historical conditioned progress of the self-revelation of God, as deposited in the Bible.” (Ryrie)

Gangel’s Definition: “The exercise of one’s spiritual gifts under the call of God to serve a certain group of people in achieving the goals God has given them toward the end of glorifying Christ.” (Gangel)

Clinton’s Definition: “Leadership is a dynamic process in which a man or woman with god-given capacity influences a specific group of God’s people toward His purposes for the group.” (R. Clinton)

A Definition of Biblical Leadership, revisited…”Biblical leadership takes place when divinely appointed men and women accept responsibility for obedience to God’s call. They recognize the importance of preparation time, allowing the Holy Spirit to develop tenderness of heart and skill of hands…They carry out their leadership roles with deep conviction of God’s will, clear theological perspective from His Word, and an acute awareness of the contemporary issues when they and their followers face…Above all, they exercise leadership as servants and stewards, sharing authority with their followers and affirming that leadership is primarily ministry to others, modeling for others and mutual membership with others in Christ’s body.”

A Definition of Biblical Leadership, revisited…”Biblical leadership takes place when divinely appointed men and women accept responsibility for obedience to God’s call. They recognize the importance of preparation time, allowing the Holy Spirit to develop tenderness of heart and skill of hands…They carry out their leadership roles with deep conviction of God’s will, clear theological perspective from His Word, and an acute awareness of the contemporary issues when they and their followers face…Above all, they exercise leadership as servants and stewards, sharing authority with their followers and affirming that leadership is primarily ministry to others, modeling for others and mutual membership with others in Christ’s body.”

II. THREE PROBLEMS IN GRASPING BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP

1. American success syndrome – The Bible’s description of leadership is not at all like the modern world’s understanding of success.

2. Infatuation with size – Can spiritual formation be measured quantitatively?

3. Compulsion to imitate – The is no one model of leadership.

III. BIBLE LEADER COMPARISON

David and the apostle PaulMoses and JesusSolomon and TimothyKing Saul and the apostle Peter

New Testament Leadership Is…ServanthoodNurtureExampleFatherhood

JESUS LEADERSHIP STYLE

Mark 10:43-44 identifies what often is referred to as

The Master’s Master Principle.”

It demonstrates how Jesus would describe His philosophy on leadership. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servants, and whoever wants to be first, must be slave of all” (vs. 44).

A critical factor in becoming an effective leader is the recognition

that leadership behavior is DEVELOPMENTAL

1. Few people are born natural leaders. 2. Leadership is developed through

experience.3. Many great leaders freely admit that

they were unsure when they started, 4. Many more admit that they have had

times of uncertainty and discouragement along the way.

5. Great leaders admit that they often had to learn from their mistakes or the mistakes of others.

Case Study #1

As a leader of a large scale ministry in her church, Ellen has been concerned over the past few months about the way things have been going in the ministry—or rather, the way things have not been going. Somehow the vision of what the ministry could be has been blurred by the lack of results, movement, and excitement.

Ellen doesn’t particularly care for all the administrative details that seem to take up so much of her time and energy. The way she is spending her days now does not match the picture she had of herself when she signed on for the position.

She has some pretty competent people on the ministry team, and she has let them run things the way they see fit. Quite a few other ministry volunteers and church members have shown a willingness to contribute their talents and interest. She has delegated everything she can—primarily because she really doesn’t have a great deal of interest in all the facets required to run the ministry.

When it comes right down to it, she’d rather be doing—or operating—and involved in her particular specialty. But she finds herself administering, managing, and directing.

© 2006 Evangelical Training Association. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

CASE STUDY ACTIVITY

What do you see as the problem(s) in this situation?

What type of leadership style might this leader have?

Does this leadership style seem to fit this situation?

How well is this leader doing in the three areas of leadership (i.e., focusing on the Leader, the group and the situation)?

What suggestions would you make to this leader?

IV. LEADERSHIP QUIZ

What Is Your Leadership Style?