Developing the leader within you

 

DEVELOPING THE LEADER WITHIN YOU

Jeremiah 45:5

Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.

In every boy there is a man and in every man there is a leader eager to emerge. God is looking for leaders but not just any leader.

He is searching for leaders who want to be effective and not great.

Our ambition to be good leaders must be centred on the glory of God and the welfare of His church. There is a great need for well trained, seasoned, effective leaders in the church.

We need leaders who are not canvassing for promotion or position but leaders who simply want to serve.

A genuine spiritual leader will promote the Lord Jesus and others and not himself.

You can become great without having an ambition for greatness if you follow the standard laid down by Jesus.

Today many of our church leaders need to adjust their focus. Too many of us are hung-up on how we look so we market ourselves in a certain way.

A true man or woman of God does not need self promotion to advance their ministry. We do not need to use titles that we did not earn to impress others with our accomplishments.

Almost every pastor in the Bahamas is now calling themselves Apostle or Bishop or Prophet or Reverend Doctor. this or that. Somehow we have become obsessed with titles and positions. 

We allow these titles to go to our heads and we become arrogant.

The fastest way to destroy your ministry is to have a prideful heart. Church leaders are intentionally and intellectually dishonest when it comes to the use of religious and educational titles.

If one receives an honorary doctorate from a university, it should never be used unless the word "honorary" is inserted in front of it.

This will let the reader know that you did not EARN the degree. Not doing so is dishonest and makes that person a fake because they give the false impression that they put in years of intense studies and sacrifice in order to earn that doctoral degree. This is not fair to those who actually put in the time. Self promotion is nothing but pride.

Mark 10:42-45

42. So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.  

43. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,  

44. And whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.  45. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The church demands a differnt type of leaders.

We need leaders who are not concerned of the number of members they accumulate, but leaders who are constantly looking to increase the number of people that they serve.

Good christian leaders are difficult to find. In Jeremiah 4:28 God said "I looked and lo, there was no man". The church is lacking in good leaders. We have men and women with zeal, interest and committment but they lack  effective leadership skills.

There are 2 categories of persons in every church. 

1. Leaders

2. Potential leaders, who we refer to as followers or members.

Every person is a leader in some way. Leaders are not managers or supervisors. They are producers who can see into the future. 

Leaders are dreamers who know how to make their dreams become reality. They have vision and they cast the vision to their people.  The people are attracted to the vision and begin to work with the leader.

A mission statement evolves out of the vision of a leader and goals are then established. Strategies are then put in place to work and measure the set goals.

In the end, what the leader envisioned will  become reality. It can be seen, touched and felt. Goals are achieved and the mission is accomplished.

When things are broken or they don’t work, most people spend time covering their own behinds, making sure everyone knows it’s not their fault. Instead of shifting blame, they should figure out how to fix the issues. 

One of the most vital qualities needed in a christian leader is self-discipline. This is the price you must pay if you wish to become a successful and effective leader. Success is never instant in ministry or busibess. In most instances overnight success takes 25 years to accomplish. Patience and hard work are necessary in working your dream.

One of the greatest hindrances to leadership development is the leader's failure to pay the ultimate price of self-discipline.

If the pastor or minister lacks self-discipline or self-control, the ministry will be in deep trouble.

As leaders, we only have 2 options. Both result in pain.

1. We will suffer the pain of discipline, which comes from sacrifice and growth OR 2. We will have the pain of regret, which comes from taking the easy road.

Developing into an excellent leader is not an easy task and requires that one endure much suffering and sacrifices.

Good leaders don't respond to every criticism. Some criticisms are good and necessary, while others are attacks. Only respond to criticism, if you are led to do so by the Holy Spirit or to set the record straight on an important matter.

If you want to be a powerful leader don’t entertain a “blame” culture in your ministry. Don’t make others out as being wrong. Instead, be obsessed with making a difference. Fix it. Remember, we were saved to SERVED and to make a difference.

PEOPLE SKILLS

All leaders especially christian leaders must have good people skills in order to be successful. A leader without people's skills will soon have no followers.

People skills involve having a genuine concern for others, the ability to understand people and the decision to make positive interactions with others.

Leaders think about the success of others and teach them how to promote and develop others in the organization.

THE PARETO PRINCIPLE

It is important that we understand  the Pareto Principle or the 20/80 principle. What this means is that 20% of your priorties will give you 80% of your work.

In church, it means 20% of the people will do 80% of the work. This ratio is consistent in other areas.

20% of our time produces 80% of the results.

20% of your sermon will produce 80% of the impact to the hearers.

20% of the people you counsel will take up 80% of your time, if you let them.

20% of the people in church will give 80% of the offering.

Likewise if you have a church dinner or picnic, 20% of the people will eat 80% of the food.

HOW TO BECOME A BONAFIDE LEADER

The quickest way to gain leadership is through problem solving. Joseph solved a major problem in Egypt and even though he was a foreigner, he became prime minister. People hate problems and will do everything to get away from them. Problems are created for us to overcome them and learn, not for them to overcome us. Problems may be opportunities in disguise for us.

Some see problems as stumbling blocks but great

leaders turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

When leaders solve problems, doors will open for them.

Many outstanding persons have overcome colossal problems in their lives.

Things may look bad right now but God is greater than your problems.

I release divine reversal over every attack and every problem in your life.  No problem is too big for our God. He will make the impossible POSSIBLE.

Find a problem and God will help you solve it.

The owner of Super Value has become a multi millionaire because he solved a problem of food shortage in the Bahamas.

Abraham Lincoln was raised in abject poverty but he became the 16th President of the United States.

Martin Luther King Jr. lived in a society filled with racial discrimination, yet he  became the greatest civil rights activist in the history of America.

In leadership, you will encounter problems. How you as the leader deal with them will determine if your members or followers reach their potential. Your problem solving skills will always be needed because there will always be problems.

Believe it or not, problems give meaning to life. The problems of mass ignorance give meaning to education and schools.

The problem of sickness and disease give meaning to medicine and health care.

The problems of social disorder give meaning to government.

Good leaders know how to duplicate themselves and produce other leaders.

They attract other leaders who think like them. A good leader is not threatened by people with great potential.

When you as a leader, multiply your leadership base, you multiply your effectiveness. Always produce leaders who are capable of producing other leaders.You will discover that in ministry or even in business, you will need other leaders.

If you only have followers around, you will have to continually draw on your own resources to get things done. Without other leaders around, you will become fatigued and eventually burn out.

The following skills are needed for effective leadership.

*Integrity

*Vision

*Self-discipline

*The ability to Implement change successfully

*Positive Attitude

*The ability to motivate followers

*People Development

*Personal Organization

*Problem solving and conflict management

People must like you before they follow you or buy into your vision. Leaders must understand that people are important and want to feel important. They are searching for love, understanding, recognition, companionship and the desire to feel worthwhile.

How are you feeding their need for significance?

Everyone needs and responds to encouragement.

People will put forth a greater effort when we approve and affirm them rather than being critical of them. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.

What then is leadership?

Leadership is many things but we can narrow it down to influence. It is the ability of one person to influence others to rally to a common purpose. You can only lead people to the extent that you can influence them.

A leader is a man or woman who knows the way, keeps ahead of the people and pulls them along. Leaders inspire others to follow.

We can influence and lead others only as far as we have gone ourselves.

Leadership is not an exclusive club for persons who may be considered born leaders. Leadership can be taught and acquired.

Leaders have vision. They see a finished product in the future, which they must produce. The leader has the assignment of getting people to do what he wants, because THEY want to do it.

TYPES OF LEADERS

There are 4 basic types of leaders. Try to analyse what type of leader you are.

1.  The LEADING leader is a person who was born with leadership qualities.

2. The LEARNED leader has seen leadership modelled most of his life.

3. The LATENT leader has recently seen leadership modelled and is a novice.

4. The LIMITED leader has had little or no exposure to leaders or leadership training.

POSITIONAL LEADERS

This is a person who may have authority through a position or title. This is not real leadership. Positional leadership is the lowest level of leadership. It is normally gained by appointment and not by leadership ability.

Positional leaders inspire fear not enthusiasm and often say "I" rather than "We". People will not follow a positional leader beyond his stated authority Positional leaders often have difficulty with volunteers and young people.

They KNOW how things should be done but will not SHOW how things should be done. Positional leaders only do what they have to do when they have to do it.

Hence, team morale will be low.

How is the morale of your team? Is your leadership based on your title? If your title or position is taken away from you, would people still listen to you?

Genuine leadership is being the person people will gladly and confidently follow. A positional leader may be the boss, but another person may be the real leader. Positional leaders drive followers rather than coach them.

People only follow leaders with vision. What is the vision of your ministry or organization? Has this vision been communicated to all of your members and the community you serve?

Are those that follow you able to explain the mission and vision of your ministry?

Do you have a mission statement? If not, why not?

Do your members know the core values of your ministry?

Spiritual leadership is a blending of natural talent and spiritual qualities. Holding a position or title does not make one a leader. Attending a course and getting a certificate in leadership does not make one a leader either, unless the lessons are applied and put in practice. You can emerge into a great leader through your spirituality, discipline, ability and diligence.

A good leader must first be a good follower with the ability to inspire others and having good people skills.

ATTRIBUTES NEEDED FOR CHURCH LEADERDHIP

1. A strong devotional life with prayer, fasting, study of the word and meditation.

2. A good reputation in the community is needed. Always keep your integrity intact. Never compromise on moral issues.

3. Have a strong family life. Evangelism begins at home. Do family devotions.

4. Pray for your pastor and other leaders and be a good team player.

5. Have a submissive and teachable spirit. If you can't take correction or handle criticism, you're not yet ready to lead. True leaders are not thin-skinned. Good leaders are kind, considerate and treat people well.

6. Generous in giving and faithful in caring for the poor. If you can't be trusted with your money you can't be trusted to lead. Giving is spiritual and is also one of the highest forms of worship.

7. Keep enhancing your leadership skills by attending leadership development courses. Upgrade yourself regularly. Take time to read and study more.

8. A good leader will submit to discipline when necessary.

9. Never undermine or disrespect your Pastor or leader. Always have pure motives and never attempt to promote yourself or any agenda not in line with the vision of the house.

10. Look for practical ways to lift up the hands of your leader. A kind word goes a long way. Don't allow your leader to go through financial hardship, if you can help.

LAWS OF LEADERSHIP

1. Your leadership ability will determine your level of effectiveness. 

2. Your true level of leadership is your influence.

3. Truth is the foundation of leadership

To lead tomorrow, one must learn today. Good leaders are dedicated to learning.

4. Leaders are navigators. 

Anyone can steer a ship but it takes a leader to chart the course. To navigate means to plan ahead.

5. When the real leader speaks everyone listens.

6. People generally follow leaders stronger than themselves

7. Good leaders motivate other leaders in their ministry or organization.

HOW TO MOTIVATE LEADERS

1. Visit them at home and make sure that their basic needs are met.

Are they secured?

Do they feel a sense of belonging and acceptance?

How can you maximize their potential?

2. Begin leadership training especially for leaders who may be demotivated. Send them to seminars and conferences.

3. Empower them. Identify their natural and spiritual gifts and give them challenging jobs allowing for mistakes. Introduce a "no blame" culture. Always be a team player. Team work makes the dream work.

4. Begin rewards and recognition programme for leaders. Give them private praise along with public recognition for their work.

Allow your leaders to make certain decisions

5. Improve relationships and the work environment

HINDRANCES TO EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

There are some serious things that hinder spiritual leadership. Some of these are detrimental to the advancement of the organization.

1. A spirit of jealousy and a spirit of competition among leaders.

2. An Unforgiving spirit

3. Disunity and strife

4. Lack of a devotional life

A pastor or preacher is on the verge of backsliding when he or she only use their bibles to prepare sermons.

5. No compassion for the lost

6. Pride

7. Indecision