Transcript Document
The Biblical mandate for Leadership …leadership words that convey a strong sense of personal authority is avoided when the NT speaks of church leadership. αρχoν (leader) Basileuς (commander) κατακυριεύω (lording master) kurioς (Lord) kaqhghthς (master) The Biblical mandate for Leadership The two words used in the New Testament for church leaders are προι ̈́́στημι = stand in front (e.g. 1 Timothy 3:4; 5: 17; 1 Thess. 5:12) and κυβέρνησις = to steer (1 Cor 12:28). Hebrew 13:7 uses ἡγέομαι which means “to go before” Mark 10: 42 - 45 In NT times “deacons” were essentially house servants (John 2: 5,9 ; Matt 22: 13; John 13) Deaconship = servant / service / ministry / task The NT church developed deacons into an “office” (Acts 6: 1 – 6) They are described separately to Elders (Philip. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3) Bishops / Elders / Pastors / Deacons • In the New Testament, Bishops = Elders = Pastors (Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5 – 7; 1 Peter 5: 1 – 4) • Their responsibilities were Pastoral oversight and Teaching (Acts: 20:28;1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9; Eph 4: 11; John 21:16) • Deacons provided a support to successful ministry functions (Acts 6; 1 Tim 3; Philippians 1:1) John 13 = “The ultimate demonstration of Servant Leadership… • The motive of his ministry was Love • The nature of his ministry was Service • The attitude of his ministry was Humilty Ted Engstrom “The making of a Christian leader” NT Leadership is not: (cf Luke 22: 24 – 27) 1) Political power-play 2) Authoritarian attitude 3) Cultic control New Testament leadership is not flashy public relations and platform personality, but humble service to the group. The work of God is to be carried on by spiritual power, not personal magnetism. Foundational Theological Issues: • God is the ultimate and only authority (Mark 14:36; Luke 1:37; Acts 17:28) • Jesus Christ has been granted authority over the Church as its head (Matt 28: 18; Col. 2:10, etc) •Every other authority is merely a delegated authority (Rom 13:1) • The gathered church is the final authority in matters of polity (Acts 15:22; Matt. 18:17) • The NT Church exercised authority in the area of discipline (Gal. 6:1) , administration (2 Cor. 8-9) and election of leadership (Acts 6: 3-6; 15:22; 1 Cor. 16:3). "The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The best test is: do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?" Robert K. Greenleaf, The Servant as Leader, 1970 The servant leader serves the people he/she leads which implies that they [people] are an end in themselves rather than a means to an organizational purpose or bottom line. - Robert K. Greenleaf - “Servant leadership is about how we lead (style) and not to command over people… Attitude …gentleness and humility Quality of own life” LO Richard “Theology of Church Leadership” “Servant leadership is a relationship in which one person seeks to influence the thoughts, behaviours, beliefs or values of another person” Walter Wright “Relational Leadership” “…not to meet demands of followers…not carrying out ideas of others…they take initiatives, they listen to God and to the voices around them in order to determine what God wants of them…they are committed for the long haul, maintaining faith and hope, patience and fortitude – also withdraw to reform and renew strength” Eddie Gibbs “Leadership Next” “…servants of God…not the servants of the people.” John Finney “Understanding Leadership” 1 Corinthians 7: 22 & 2 Corinthians 4:5 Servant Leadership - Progressive Growth in Christ Servant leadership requires the practice of certain disciplines (habits we practice to please the Lord). These disciplines are key elements of "abiding in Christ.“ - http://www.allaboutgod.com/servant-leadership.htm - Greenleaf’s – Characteristics of Servant leaders (expanded by Larry Spears in “The Power of Servant Leadership” ) • Listening • Conceptualization • Empathy • Foresight • Healing • Stewardship • Awareness • Commitment to the growth of people • Persuasion • Building Community Greenleaf’s – Characteristics of Servant leaders (expanded by Larry Spears in “The Power of Servant Leadership” ) OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY 1) Stewardship = holding in trust for the greater good 2) Commitment of the growth of people = nurturing the growth of people as more than just workers 3) Building community = overall morale Greenleaf’s – Characteristics of Servant leaders (expanded by Larry Spears in “The Power of Servant Leadership” ) ATTITUDE 4) Empathy = understand peoples special and unique spirit 5) Healing = relationships and inner hurts mended Greenleaf’s – Characteristics of Servant leaders (expanded by Larry Spears in “The Power of Servant Leadership” ) MANAGERIAL SKILLS 6) Listening = deep commitment to listening intently to others 7) Awareness = General and self-awareness to understand values and ethics 8) Persuasion = rather than personal authority in convincing others 9) Conceptualization = “dream great dreams" 10) Foresight = see the likely outcome of situations They are progressive in nature as set forth below: •Humility - "apart from Him I can do nothing" - leads me to: •Seek Him - and as He reveals Himself and what He is doing - I can: •Love Him - by obeying and working with Him - this will lead me to: •Serve Him - as I lovingly serve others - this creates opportunities to: •Exalt Him - by giving Him the glory - and to maximize my faithfulness: •Accountability - I ask others to hold me to these disciplines. - http://www.allaboutgod.com/servant-leadership.htm - What do servant leaders do? •devote themselves to serving the needs of organization members. •focus on meeting the needs of those they lead. •develop employees to bring out the best in them. •coach others and encourage their self expression. •facilitate personal growth in all who work with them. listen and build a sense of community. - Robert K. Greenleaf - DEVELOPING SERVANTHOOD “Servant leadership is an attitude defined by who you are than by what you do” Servant leadership happens when: • You get the proper ministry motive • Clarify your personal mission • Understand your individual attributes • Work in your ministry setting • Shape love as your motive (choose to do a dirty job, serve anonymously, serve secretly, serve an enemy, choose to make someone else successful) The Character of Leadership - Nine Qualities that Define Great LeadersBy Jeff Iorg “Principles…Leadership is about … •Influence and service •Vision and hope •Character and trust •Relationships and power •Dependency and accountability” Walter Wright “Relational Leadership” Summary “Servant Leadership is more than just a style of leadership, it is an essential attitude that underlies the nature and exercising of leadership”