The Spiritual Leader

1.1 An Honourable Ambition

Spiritual leadership is an honourable ambition. It is right for a person to want to be a leader. Christian leaders of today are given the prestige and respect. To aspire to leadership is an honourable ambition. 1 Timothy 3:1 NEB· This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Timothy 3:1 KJV

Daily Prayer

It is really a difficult assignment. In the first century, even stout- hearted Christians needed encouragement and incentive to lead. And so Paul the apostle called leadership an honourable ambition. The work of leading the church is the most important work in the world and this work pays eternal dividends.

Ambition that centres on the glory of God and welfare of the church is a mighty force for good. The Latin word ambition means “ campaigning for promotion”. It also suggests variety of elements: social visibility and approval, popularity, peer recognition, the exercise of authority over others. Ambitious people enjoy the power that comes with money and authority. The true spiritual leader will never campaign for promotion.

To His ambitious Disciples, Jesus announced a new standard of greatness. “ You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” ( Mark 10: 42-44).

True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in inducing others to serve you. True service comes from a painful baptism of suffering. The true spiritual leader renders service to God and other people. The true leader says, “ I have one passion; It is He, He alone”.

“ Because we children Adam want to become great, He became small. Because we will not stoop, He humbled Himself. Because we want to rule, He came to serve.”

1.2 The Master’s Master Principle

The king James version of the Bible uses the leader only six times. Frequently, the role is called servant”. Jesus taught us the servant Leadership. Jesus was a revolutionary in His teaching on leadership. Paul said; “ Serve one another in love” ( Galatians 5:13). James and John wanted glory, but not the cup of shame; the crown, but not the cross; the role of master, but not servant. Jesus used this occasion to reach two principles of leadership that the church must never forget.

1. The sovereignty of spiritual leadership
2. The suffering of spiritual leadership

The Sovereignty of Spiritual Leadership:

“ To sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared’ ( Mark 10:40). Honour and rank is for those who have prepared themselves for it., and worked very hard to get it. God assigns places of spiritual ministry and leadership in His sovereign will. “ It is God who will give these places to those for whom He has prepared them” ( Mark 10: 40 GNB ). Jesus chooses us and appoints us for spiritual leadership. We can truly say, “ I am here neither by selection of an individual nor election of a group, but by the almighty appointment of God”.

The Suffering of Spiritual Leadership:

“ Can you drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with” ( Mark 10: 38). The task was magnificent and difficult. The disciples responded, “we are able”. What tragic lack of perspective! James would be executed, and John would finish his days in isolated confinement. Greatness comes through servant hood, and leadership through becoming a slave of all. Jesus provided an example for the disciples, and then He washed their feet. Jesus is our example, and that is an example of suffering. A servant is not greater than the Lord. Our Lord is Jesus. Serving and Suffering were important tin the teaching and life of Our Lord Jesus. “ For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps” ( 1 Peter 2:21).

THE SPIRIT OF SERVANTHOOD

Jesus said :“I am among you as He who serves”. He imparted the spirit of servant hood, the sense of personal commitment and identity into His disciples. We read about the attitudes and inner motives that the coming Messiah (Jesus ) would demonstrate as the ideal servant of the LORD In Isaiah 42:1-4. The principles His life would be a pattern for ours:

1. Dependence
2. Approval
3. Modesty
4. Empathy
5. Optimism
6. Anointing

Dependence. “Here is my servant, whom I uphold” ( Isaiah 42:1 ) Jesus emptied himself and made himself nothing. Phil. 2:7. He was depending on His Heavenly Father for everything . He fully identified with our humanity. As we empty our SELF and dependent on God, the Holy Spirit will use us. We depend on Him to meet our needs.

Approval : “ My chosen one in whom I delight” ( Isaiah 42:1). God approved, felt and said that His great delight is His servant Jesus and that delight of reciprocal. Jesus said, “ I delight to do Thy will, O my God” ( Psalm 40:8). God’s approval is important in any of the proposal.

Modesty. “ He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets” ( Isaiah 42:2). God’s servant conducts a ministry that appears almost self- effacing. Modesty means: 1. Not taking too much about your own abilities, good qualities, etc., 2. Not very large: a modest pay increase. 3. (used about a woman’s clothes ) not showing much of the body.

The Devil tempted Jesus saying, “ If you are the Son of God...” Matt.4 Jesus exemplifies the description of God Isai. 45:15: Truly you are a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour”. God’s angel servants too, are content with hidden service. Isai. 6:2.

Empathy. “ A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out” ( Isaiah 42:3). The LORD’ S servant Jesus was sympathetic with the weak, mercifully understanding toward those who err. He mends bruises and fans the weak spirit into a flame.

From God’s point of view, it is noble work to reclaim the world’s downtrodden people. Empathy means: 1. The ability to imagine how another person is feeling and so understand their mood. 2. He is a popular teacher because he empthathises with his students.

Jesus healed a woman who was weak because of issue of blood for 12 years. She was healed by Him and became strong. He had compassion for people. How dimly Peter’s own wick burned in the judgement hall, but what a blaze on the day of Pentecost! God’s ideal Servant made miserable man’s life a brilliant flame.

Optimism. “ He will not falter or be discouraged till He establishes justice on earth” ( Isaiah 42:4). Optimism means : 1. The feeling that the future will be good or successful, 2. There is considerable optimism that the economy will improve. Being optimistic is expecting good things to happen or something to be successful He will establish justice on earth. Jesus will administer justce speedily in your life. Pessimism is a bad negative attitude. God’s ideal servant is optimistic until every part of God’s work is done. He encourages you to be successful blessed and prosperous.

Anointing. “ I will put My spirit on him” ( Isaiah 42:1 ). None of our leadership qualities are sufficient for the work of the Ministry. We need the supernatural touch of the Holy Spirit. He rested and dwelt in the ideal Servant.

“ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him’ ( Acts 10:38).

Jesus ministry began when the Holy Spirit descended at His baptism, and then the Servant (Minister) began to shake the world! God offers us the same anointing. God anoints us with the power of the Holy Spirit to do effective service for Him.

1.3.Natural and Spiritual Leadership

Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead. Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose, and the character which inspires confidence. What is Leadership? And how is humanity divided? Someone replied: “There are only three kinds of people – those who are immoveable, those who are moveable, and those who move them!” President Harris True man ( 1945-53) said cogently: “ A leader is a person who has the ability to get others to do what they don’t want to do, and like it”.

All good things come from God. e .g. Spiritual qualities, Personality, Natural qualities. They reach greatest effectiveness when employed in the service of God and for His glory.

BORN OR MADE ?

Are leaders born or made? Surely, both Leadership is an elusive and electric quality that comes directly from God. On the other hand, leadership skills should be cultivated and developed.

A crisis comes, no one better qualified steps forward, and a leader is born. Joseph is a perfect example. He became the Prime Minister of Egypt, through circumstances. In fact his promotion was the outcome of 13 years of rigorous, hidden training under the hand of God. Natural and Spiritual leadership are different. They are not the one and the same.

No.	NATURAL LEADERSHIP	SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
1.	Self confident	Confident in God
2.	Knows men	Also knows God
3.	Makes own decisions	Seeks God’s will
4.	Ambitious	Humble
5.	Creates methods	Follows God’s example
6.	Enjoys command	Delights in obedience
7.	Seeks personal reward	Loves God and others
8.	Independent	Depends on God

The History church leaders reveals that the Holy Spirit sometimes releases gifts and qualities that were dormant before hand. When that happens a leader is born. The true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle self sacrificing and altogether ready to follow when the Spirit chooses another to lead.

John Mott moved in student circles, said: A leader (1) does little things well, (2) has learned to focus on priorities, (3) uses leisure well; (4) has intensity; (5) knows how to exploit momentum; (6) is growing; (7) overcomes discouragement and impossible situations; and (8) understands his or her weaknesses.

Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for 24 years. Written in his memory are these words: “ When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathen”. The leaders first must be full of the Spirit to teach and preach the word of God.

1.4. Insights on Leadership from Apostle Paul

“Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self- controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited. … He must also have a good reputation with outsiders”. ( 1 Timothy 3:2-7)

Apostle Paul became a great spiritual leader when his heart and mind were captured by Jesus Christ. Paul enjoyed the illumination and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The following are the qualifications of spiritual leadership:

(1) Social Qualifications (2) Moral Qualifications
(3) Mental Qualifications (4) Personality Qualifications
(5) Domestic Qualifications (6) Maturity

The Spiritual Leader is to enjoy a good reputation with respect to relationships inside and outside the church. As Leaders, we should live a life of testimony. When a Christian leader full of high ideals lives a holy and joyful life in front of unbelievers, they will want to cultivate a similar experience. Example is much more potent than precept.

The Spiritual Leader must live a life of sexual faithfulness. He must be blameless on this vital. The spiritual leader must be a man of unchangeable morality.

A leader must be prudent, a person with sound judgment. Jeremy Taylor called this quality ‘reason’s girdle and passion’s bridle’. A well ordered life is a well ordered mind. Then the leader must be ready and able to teach. Teaching is hard work, and doing it well takes time, preparation, study and prayer.

A leader should solve a problem and should not fight. The Christian leader must be genial and gentle, not a lover of controversy, always seeking a peaceful solution. The leader must show hospitality. A bishop must be hospitable, a man who really and at all times welcomes into his house the servants of God.

A Christian leader who is married must demonstrate the ability to “manage his own family well” and see that his children obey him with proper respect. There is time for every legitimate duty.

1.5. Insights on Leadership from Apostle Peter

“ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who will also share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherd’s of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. ( 1. Peter 5:1-7).

Peter was the natural leader of the apostolic band. Peter’s spiritual instructions prove that he was also the spiritual leader. He says: See that “ The flock of God” is properly fed and cared for. Such is a Shepherd’s primary responsibility. Jesus interview with Peter restored him and assured him of Jesus’ continuing love and care. A shepherd’s work requires a shepherd’s heart.

Peter says to the leaders, “Shepherd your people like God”. The people in the church are special allotment. Our whole attitude to them must be the attitude of God.

The spiritual leader cannot have love of money in his eyes. Do not work as one “greedy for money”, Peter warns ( 1. Peter 5:2). Perhaps Peter had in mind Judas, whose passion for money led to his fall.

The Christian leader must not be dictatorial. “ not lording it over those entrusted to you” ( 1. Peter 5:3). A Leader must be worthy example for the people. “ But being examples to the flock” ( 1. Peter 5:3). Elders need the shepherd spirit. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd; we are assistants and associates working under His authority.

The shepherds who are humble and lowly in heart, God will add power and grace to the work. “Therefore, humbly submit to God’s strong hand”. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. God cares for you.

1.6. Prayer and Leadership

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” ( 1 Timothy 2:1).

The spiritual leader should have a consistent prayer life. All the prayers reach the Majesty on high. Prayer is needed the Christian’s vital breath and native air. Samuel Chadwick was essentially a man of prayer. He wrote toward the end of his life, : even if I had worked less; and from the bottom on my heart I wish I had prayed better”. Martin Luther spent the first three hours in prayer. He worked early till late. I f Luther was busy, and prayed, so can we.

The Prayer life of Jesus

In the life of Jesus, prayer was the dominant future and a recurring part of His teaching. Prayer kept His moral vision sharp and clear. Prayer gave Him courage to endure the perfect but painful will of His Father. Prayer paved the way for transfiguration.

In Luke 5:16 throws a vivid light on the daily practice of the Lord. “ But He withdrew Himself to the deserts and prayed”. It was our Lord’s habit to seek retirement for prayer. He refreshed himself through His prayer life.

Jesus spent full nights in prayer ( Luke 6:12). We often rose before dawn to have unbroken communion with His Father ( Mark 1:35). “ Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” – a statement that indicates a regular habit. By word and example He instructed His disciples on the importance of solitude in prayer ( Mark 6:46; Luke 9:28). Our Lord Jesus spent the night in prayer before making the choice of Apostles (Lk. 6:12). Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with loud crisis and tears ( Heb.5:7).

Apostle Paul’s instructions on Prayer

True prayer is a strenuous spiritual exercise that demands the utmost mental discipline and concentration. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. “ I want you to know how much I am struggling for you” ( Colo.2:1).’ The Holy Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will’( Rom. 8:27). Effective prayer is praying in the Spirit.

To pray in the Spirit is important for two reasons: First, we are to pray in the realm of the Spirit, for the Holy Spirit is the sphere and the atmosphere of the Christian’s life.(ii) Second, we are to pray in the power and energy of the Spirit. “Give yourselves wholly to prayer and entreaty; pray on every occasion in the power of the Spirit”( Ephesians 6:18).Praying in the Spirit releases supernatural resources.

2.7 The Leader and Time

“ Make the best use of your time” ( Ephesians 5:16 Philips )
The quality of a person’s leadership depends on what happens during time. The Character and career of a young person depends on how he or she spends spare time. The way we employ surplus hours after provision has been made for work, meals, and sleep will determine if we develop into mediocre or powerful people. Every moment of the day is a gift from God that deserves care.

Minutes and hours wisely used transplants into an abundant life. We can direct hours and days purposefully and productively. Time is precious, but we squander it thoughtfully. Time is valuable, and we must be taught to number our days.( Ps.90:12). If we are careful about days, the years will take of themselves.

Each of us has the time to do the whole will of God for our lives. Our problem is not too little time, but making better use of the time we have. Each of us have same 24 hours, no one has more time. We each have been given the same amount of time. We are responsible for the strategic use of time.

When the apostle Paul urged the Ephesians to “ redeem” the time, he was treating the time like a purchase . We exchange the time for certain occupation and activities that may be worthy or productive. Another translation renders the verse,” Buy up the opportunities” for time is opportunity.

The leader must carefully select priorities. A day needs careful planning. A leader must concentrate on most important items. It is often helpful to keep records of how each hour in a given week is spent. We have much more time available for Christian service than we imagine.

Suppose we allot ourselves:

• 7 hours for sleep = 7*7= 49 hours
• 3 hours for meals & conversation = 3* 7= 21 hours
• 10 hours work & travel for six days = 6*10= 60 hours
• Total time spent = 49+ 21+ + 60 = 130 hours
• Total time in a week = 7 * 24 = 168 hours
• Time still available per week = 38 hrs

What happens to these hours? How are they invested? We can turn these hours to the service in the kingdom of God. Certainly those hours determine whether life is commonplace or exordinary. The examples for wise use of time:

(i) May Slessor, @ age 11, she worked in a factory from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. In evenings, she educated herself for a notable career.

(ii) David Livingston, @ age 10, worked in a cotton mill 14 hours a day. He learned latin in evenings; at age 27, he had finished a program in both Medicine and Theology.

Our Lord Jesus the Perfect example

He is our example of strategic use of time. He had time for every person who approached fim for help. He was working according to the Father’s plan for His life. Father God directed His words and works: Jesus said: “ The words I say to you are not just my own rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work” ( Jn..14:10).

Jesus’ greatest concern was to fulfil the work committed to Him within the allotted hours. He was conscious of a divine timing in His life. He said, “ I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do”( John 17:4). His 24 hours a day was sufficient to complete the whole will of God. Conscious of time, Jesus spent His time doing things that mattered. The strength of moral character is conserved by doing the important.

Other Examples

A spiritual leader feels pressure from assuming tasks that God has not assigned. Paul affirms that God has plan for every life. We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 John Wesley and F.B. Meyor, men who influenced the world for Jesus, counted each 5 minutes valuable. All of us could benefit by similar discipline.

2.8. The Leader and Reading:

When you come, bring... my scrolls, especially the parchments. ( 2. Timothy 4:13)

Reading maketh a full man; speaking, a ready man, writing, an exact man. Francis Bacon

“ Give heed to reading” is Paul’s counsel to Timothy, which surely referred to the public reading of the Old Testament. Paul wanted to spend time in study. Spiritual leaders of every generation will have a consuming passion to know the word of God through diligent study and the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

Intellectual and Spiritual growth comes by reading constantly. Doctors must read to stay current in the ever- changing world of health- care. The spiritual leader must master God’s word and it’s principles. He cannot claim to have no time for reading.

John Wesley had a passion for reading and he did so mostly on horseback. He literally read 1000s of books. Wesley’s favourite books were: Greek New Testament, Imitation of Christ, Holy Living and Dying, and The Serious Call. These were his spiritual guides. He said to younger ministers, “ Read or get out of the ministry”.

WHY READ?

• Read to refill the wells of inspiration
• Read to weigh and consider
• Read for intellectual growth
• Read to cultivate your preaching and writing style
• Read to aquire new information, to keep current with the time
• Read to have fellowship with great minds
• Read a good book

WHAT TO READ?

• Master few books rather than read widely
• Biography the most attractive form of general reading
• Read lives of great and consegrated men
• Aim to read something different
• Immerse yourself in books that equip you in the service of The kingdom of God.

HOW TO READ?

• Read them thoroughly, both in them until they saturate you.
• Use discrimination in choosing books
• Read with pen and notebook in head
• Verify historical, scientific and other data
• Correlate your reading
• Guide the church toward intelligent reading.

2.9. The Responsibilities of Leadership

‘’Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of concern for all churches” ( Apostle Paul : 1. Cor. 11: 28).

Jesus defined leadership as service. In the divine commonwealth, they rule who account it a privilege to minister. “ servant” is the essential image of the Christian religion. Jesus is the Son of God became the servant of God in order to the mission of God.

The true leader is concerned primarily with the welfare of others, not with his own comfort of prestige. A spiritual leader will always direct the confidence of others to the Lor. Joshua was a faithful servant, therefore God exalted him as a leader to succeed Moses the Man of God.

Great Sympathy and thoughtful Consideration for the welfare and comfort of those around us is another secret of our influence over others. Discipline is yet another responsibility of the leader to maintain divine standards in doctrine, morals, and conduct. The fundamental ingredient in all discipline is love. For example,” warn him as a brother” ( 2 Thessa. 3:15).

In approaching a disciplinary situation, the leader must remember five guidelines:

(1) First conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry,

(2) Then consider the overall benefit to the work and to the individual.

(3) Do all in the spirit of love and in the most considerate manner,

(4) Always keep the spiritual restoration of the offender in view

(5) Pray t through

Providing guidance is a third area of responsibility. The leader must go before his flock. The chief shepherd gave us the pattern.” When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice”( Jn. 10:4). Paul gave this challenge to the Corinthian Christians : “ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” ( 1. Cor.11:11).

A leader must initiate. The true leader must be venturesome as well as visionary. The leader must initiate plans for progress of others. He must remain in front, giving guidance and direction to those behind. He makes things to happen. He is a self- starter, always on the lookout for improved methods, eager to test new ideas.

To take responsibility willingly is the mark of a leader. Joshua was such a person. He followed willingly one of the greatest leaders of the history, Moses. Joshua did not plead inadequacy, instead, he promptly accepted the task he was given and set about the work. When Elijah accepted the authority conferred on him and became a leader in his own right.

2.10. The Art Of Delegation

“ He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people...They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses’. ( Exodus 18:25-26)

To succeed in getting things done through others is the highest type of leadership. D.L. Moody once said that he would rather put a 1000 men to work than to do the work of a 1000 men. Thoughtful delegation will save the leader the frustrating experience of square pegs serving in round holes.

The degree to which a leader is able to delegate work is a measure of his success. A one- person office can never grow larger than the load one person carry. A leader delegates and shows utmost confidence in the people he has entrusted. One of the great biblical illustrations of this principle is the story of Jethro, father in law to Moses, recorded in Exodus 18.

Israel emerged from Egypt an unorganized horde of enslaves. By the time of Exodus 18, a new national spirit was developing. Jethro saw that Moses faced intolerably heavy burdens- he was dealing with problems from morning till night. Moses was the legislature. His decisions were accepted by the people as God’s will.

Then Jethro proposed a two – part plan. Moses would continue to teach spiritual principles and exercise legislative leadership. He would also decide the hard cases at court. But much of his work would be delighted to complement, trustworthy subordinates. Moses followed Jethro’s advice and realized several benefits. He was able to concentrate on the biggest problems. People – problems were solved with efficiency. And Moses laid the groundwork for effective leadership after his death. Jethro said,” If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain”( 18:23). Jethro placed his advice under the authority of God. Some tasks others can do better, and those should be delegated. Delegation is the better part of wisdom.

For selection of leaders, he puts forth these spiritual qualifications: men of ability, men of piety, men of honour. It is a big mistake to assume more duties than we can discharge. Missionary leadership must be ready to delegate responsibility to nationals the moment they give evidence of spiritual maturity. It was said of W.E. Sangster: “ Perhaps his greatest grasp of leadership was knowing the importance of delegation and of choosing assistants with care. He was always a master of the art”. It was said of the leader of a large missionary society,” He knew what people could do, and saw that they did it, leaving them to make the best of their opportunities”.