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WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

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THE POSITION OF LEADERSHIP

leadership

By Ken Blue

The American Heritage Dictionary says leadership is, “1. The position or office of a leader: 2. Capacity or ability to lead.” You will notice that one is a position and the other is capacity. It is possible to have the position of leadership without the capacity to lead. Or, one may possess the capacity and not have the position.

There is a world of difference between position and capacity. One may be promoted to a position of leadership such as in a military or government job without possessing the capacity. However, those under his leadership must comply or pay the price. This same situation may exist in large cooperation, but it is not as prevalent.

However, church leadership is altogether different. The pastor does not possess leadership qualities because of his possession. This is one reason many churches cannot grow. The pastor must have the capacity to lead. No one follows because they are required to. Ninety-five percent of church work is done by volunteers. There must be other factors that influence people to follow the pastor. Leaders have followers. If no one is following, you are just taking a walk.

A few misconceptions about leadership: Position of office, telling others what to do, being the loudmouth of the group, or having the prominent position. None of which will work for long.

There are three imperatives of leadership and they are the same in the secular or the sacred. One of these qualities is personality. The more people you can relate to, the more influence you can have. We know many who lead from the strength of personality. The second quality needed is aptitude. The better you are at your vocation, the more people are apt to follow you. So, learn all you can about your calling. Learn from the greatest in that field. Read all you can on how to improve your vocational skills. People are reluctant to follow those who are unsure of what they are doing.

Finally, to have a lasting influence in leadership, you must be a man or woman of character. Of the three, your character is most important. People will not follow a person they cannot trust. What is it that exposes your lack of character? It will usually be your mouth. Therefore, be slow to speak and swift to hear.

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MISTAKEN IDENTITY

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GODLINESS OR GREAT GAIN

GodlinessBy Ken Blue
“…supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Timothy.

It is noteworthy that the text is found in the Pastoral Epistles, and the context is speaking of pastors and teachers. One of the ways God allows men to deceive themselves is their assumption that any kind of gain indicates their godliness. This is where the end is built on the wrong premise.

The pastor should realize that there is little relationship between material success and godliness. Some of us have been around long enough to discover that most of the godly pastors have very little in the form of material possessions.

There is the deception that men build large ministries because they have some secret connection with God. That is not the case. Godliness is one thing; material prosperity is quite another. All of us know men who have built large ministries, while living in gross immorality. The problem is that talent and personality are mistaken for godliness.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…godliness with contentment is great gain![/perfectpullquote]

Christian, do not envy the successful. Keep your eyes in the Book and on the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t be fooled or infatuated with pastors who are dynamic speakers or have a ministry larger than yours. You keep your heart right with God. That is what matters. Men do not have larger ministries because of godliness!

Godliness is based on your walk with God. Church growth is based on other factors. These do not have to be in conflict or opposition, but they are not the same. They simply need to be understood and identified. Remember, gain is not proof you are godly; but, godliness with contentment is great gain!

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AND CHURCH HEALTH

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LEADERSHIP OF THE PASTOR

pastorBy Ken Blue

“(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Numbers 12:3.

When searching for an example of a pastor, we cannot find anyone better than Moses. He is called the meekest man on earth. Some people confuse meekness with weakness. Therefore, they assume the pastor must take a position of indifference and never control or correct the church. This is a wrong concept of “meekness” and of the ministry.  We must understand that we cannot give people spirituality. We only have three things to give. We can give:

  1. Advice
  2. Influence, and
  3. Example.

I remember hearing a pastor, who led a large church say, “the two things he was accused of most, were a lack of love and being a dictator.” This is how people who resent leadership see you, and if you take the leadership it is the two things you will be accuse of.

Moses was called of God and he knew it. Moses was not eager to lead nor was he seeking a place of leadership. God called him and took time to convince him of His will for him. There are too many problems facing the pastor for him to not have assurance of God’s calling. Are you God called or are you simply a counselor and a social worker? A secure and confident pastor will have a healthy church; I did not say a perfect one.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]People who resent leadership will always accuse the pastor of two things: Lack of Love and Being a Dictator.[/perfectpullquote]

Moses loved God’s people and showed it. Moses would rather die than see God’s people destroyed. He would endure and suffer anything for them. Many pastors are hirelings and searching for the next best financial opportunity. The pastor who loves his people would pastor them without pay, if he could survive. Loving leadership leads to a healthy church.

Moses proclaimed God’s Word and defended it. The call to pastoral leadership is a call to preach the Word and defend it. Sound doctrine is the key to a healthy church. As time progresses, people will become less interested in sound doctrine. They will search for teachers who will sacrifice doctrine for praise and followers. We live in a day where it is practically impossible for believers to find a church that believes in an infallible Bible. The fault lies at the feet of false teachers and preachers who refuse to believe any Bible is inerrant. If your pastor corrects the Bible, you should look for another church. You can only have a healthy church where people have complete confidence in the accuracy and authority of the Bible.

Moses comforted God’s people. A good pastor must not only know how to comfort people individually, he must be able to comfort the church collectively. Many within the church are suffering from financial, family, health, and world political issues. A large part of the ministry is that of comforting others. Not only are believers soldiers, who are called to spiritual warfare, they are sometimes casualties in need of a nurse to comfort them. A healthy church is one where people can find comfort.

[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]As time progresses, people will become less interested in sound doctrine and will search for praise and followers.[/perfectpullquote]

Moses dealt with sin and exposed it. Most of the problems in our lives are because we are violating some Scriptural principle. Guilt, anger, insecurity, anxiety, gossip, personality conflicts, and a host of other issues are rooted in selfishness and a desire to have our own way. Not only must external sins be dealt with; we must go to the heart of the matter; and usually the matter is with the heart. A healthy church will not only preach against sins, it will help church members who are struggling with them.

Moses knew what people needed for health, and he warned them. There can be no health, soundness, or healing without abstaining from sin and rebellion. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that sickness or health issues are the result of your personal sins. Some could be, but not necessarily. However, spiritual sickness is always the result of sin. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.

Moses was human and blew it. Moses may be the perfect example of a pastor, but he was not a perfect man; no one is. He made his mistakes and so will your pastor. That is why all church members ought to pray for and encourage their pastor. Moses felt over-burdened with the many task before him. One of the answers was to involve others in the ministry. The work needed to be divided among the members. He needed someone to hold up his hands when he grew weary. Your pastor is not the Lone Ranger. He must have your help, if you are going to have a healthy church.

Many pastors and leaders keep believers in a state of “sickness” by focusing attention on their problems. That is a mistake. Spurgeon said, “When I look at Jesus, the dove of peace lights on my shoulder; when I look at the dove, she flies away.” Get your people to fall in love with Jesus Christ, and spiritual healing and health will return.

WHY YOUR CHURCH DOES NOT GROW

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THREE REASONS A CHURCH DOES NOT GROW
Church

 

By Ken Blue

“…. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47.

It may surprise you that there are pastors who do not seek or desire their church to grow beyond a certain number. There are several reasons for their “non growth” mentality; we will give the three we believe to be most prevalent.

Wrong to seek growth-

There are a few pastors who believe that seeking growth is carnal and should not be among any ministry objectives of the church. They believe that prayer, Bible preaching and witnessing is what God requires and all that is necessary. They are opposed to any and all forms of activities, events, or promotions to attract the lost. The church, to them, is intended for the saved only. The only acceptable outreach is door-to-door soul winning.

Like a small church-

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There are pastors and churches who do not want their church to grow beyond a certain number.[/perfectpullquote]

A small church is a wonderful thing, as long as it is large enough to pay you a salary. A small church is like a family; everyone knows everyone, and they all know the pastor. He receives all the attention and praise for things that go well. He is also able to give attention to all the members.

In many cases, the pastor and the people like this arrangement. They practice “doublespeak.” While they speak of winning the lost, they seldom give room to new families. The glue that holds the small group together is the cement that keeps others out. Everyone is happy and content. All that is lacking is a fireplace where this wonderful little family can gather for fellowship.

Fear growth-

There are those who would like for their churches to grow, but fear keeps it from happening. Their greatest fear is their inability to pastor a larger group. I have witnessed a few preachers and Christian workers with this phobia. If you pay close attention, you will observer them sabotage any growth that is threatening.

This fear is based in insecurity. The reason for the insecure is the pastor has not learned the skills of organization, management, and leadership. Ignorance of these is enough to cause fear in the heart of any pastor. That is why it is important to learn how to pastor, in addition to ones preaching ability.

It may be difficult for you to believe that there are pastors and churches who do not want their church to grow beyond a certain number. Believe me, they exist. You may be one of them. If so, tackle your roadblock, remove the fear, and grow for the Lord.

HOW MUCH FREEDOM DO I GET

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Freedom to get the job done.

By Ken Blue

Several years ago I was considering a young man for employment at our church. I called another pastor in Washington State whom I had much respect for. After a short conversation, he asked me a question I will never forget. He said, “Do you trust him?” The ball was now in my court and I needed to make the decision.

Did I trust this young man, or was I fearful of him? Happily, I concluded that he was trustworthy and I discovered that I was right. Since then I learned that there are certain management skills and tools that can relieve much of your anxiety about how much freedom to give those who work with you.

Employees must learn that there are only three acceptable areas of operation. As their skills increase, they will gain more freedom, and your anxiety level will go down. Your goal is to raise each employee to a level one.

If you are somewhat unsure about his judgment in an area, use level two. By using level three, you are still safe. The employee does all the skull work, and comes to you with his recommendations. Insist that he brings recommended actions to take. By following these three, you will always be safe.

Levels 4 and 5 are the basement of management. Do not allow any employee to live there. Those who operate there never use their brains, and they leave all the responsibility for decision making to you. Therefore, if it fails, it was your idea. Get the picture?

You may be wondering how employees can operate in levels 1-3. The answer is, a Job Description, staff meetings and training. It is work, but it is worth the effort. Your goal is to get each employee to level one. He will then be free to get the job done.