Value Of Good Leadership In The Church

VALUE OF GOOD LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH

A Talk Delivered By Rev A U Azubuike On The Occasion Of The 2018 Elders Retreat Of United Evangelical Church , Lagos Central Superintendency On Saturday 17th March 2018 At Ijora, Lagos, Nigeria.

1. Introduction
a) Definition of Terms.
– ‘Value’ refers to the relative worth of something. It is about the utility, the usefulness, the derivable benefits or importance of something , either attached to it or inherent in it as its substance.
– ‘Good’ is a word that assumes different and diverse meanings in various contexts. Therefore what may appear as good leadership may vary from person to person. While the Bible states that only God is good , and that man’s goodness derives from God, it also requires us to be good. For the purpose of this presentation, ‘good’ will refer to that quality that meets with acceptable standards of morality and conduct. This however, does not connote perfection.
– ‘Church’ are the people of God, also described figuratively as the Sheep, Body/Bride of Christ, etc. Church leaders are presumed to be Christian leaders but the case is not always the same. (Cf. Amalgamation of church and State ca. 325 AD).

b) Significance.
The placing of values usually follows principles or sentiments. The case is not different in UEC where our individual concepts of good leadership may either be a product of sentiments or based on biblical principles. Regardless of our opinions and denominational biases , there is only one universal, biblical eldership institution approved by God having the apostolic foundation; whose leadership blesses the church and glorifies God. The main task of this talk is to re-discover its values and seek to pattern our work for God in comformity with those biblical standards. Who is a church leader ? And who is a good leader?

2. Characteristics Of Good Leadership In The Church.
a) They Are Qualified Leaders.
The making of good leaders in the church begin with the entry qualifications which the Bible prescribes. Even the most veritable institutions on earth become residual with time when entry qualifications are not emphasized. The same applies to leaders of the church who must be qualified to lead before being entrusted with the ‘souls of men’. 1 Tim.3:1-13; Tit.1:3-9. One who is not qualified to lead may not be expected to change for the better after ordination in many instances.
b) They Are Examplary Leaders.
A good leader does not tell his followers what to do, rather he shows them what to do. There is no excuse for failing to set a good example for those who set their eyes on you for divine guidance and are bound to copy you as a standard- bearer for their spiritual life.
1 Tim 4:11-13 NKJV – These things command and teach. 12. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Warren Wiersbe noted that “One of the dangers in the church today is imitation. People have a tendency to become like their pastor, or like a church leader, or perhaps like some “famous Christian.” As they do this, they destroy their own uniqueness while failing to become like Jesus Christ. They lose both ways!” (Bible Expo. Comm., Colorado, 1989.)
Exemplary leadership does not require importing an artificial character. The word “example” (Gk – ‘tupos’) in v12 simply means ‘pattern’ or ‘model’. The same Greek word occurs in Phil 3:17; 2Thes 3:9; Heb 13:7; Tit 2:7; 1Pet 5:3. Note also that Timothy was enjoined to be example to “believers” and not to unbelievers. Paul’s view of good leadership was a Christly pattern in “word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity” v12. The authority to “command and teach” v11 was predicated on v12. Leadership is an uphill task when there is a deficiency in good personal examples to the led.
c) They Are Responsible and Accountable Leaders.
The Bible declares in Luk 16:2 and Heb 13:17 respectively that leaders of God’s flock are mere stewards in his vineyard who will give account of their stewardship in due time. Faithful leaders in the bible acted with a sense of responsibility 1 Samuel 12:3-5; Acts 20:18-20, 33-35. The usefulness of a servant of God hinges on living above reproach.
d) They Are Caring and Compassionate Leaders
The parting words of Jesus with Peter in John 21:15-17 was on how much he cared for the work entrusted to him. The shepherds of Israel in Ezekiel 34 were rebuked by God for not caring and allowing the sheep under their care to scatter (verses 4-6). There wqs “no one seeking or searching for them” v6; and God disowned the shepherds while they were still in office v10. Jesus cared for people more than was expected of him (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32). We should take time to reflect on the ‘scattering of some of our members’ to other churches. Was it in any way factored on HOW MUCH we cared for their welfare ?
e) They Are Servant Leaders.
Good leaders do not seek to be served but are ready and willing to serve. Service remains the best legacy one may bequeath to the next generation. Compare Jesus in john 13:1-8, 34-35; Luk 22:24-30. Servants put the will of their masters above their personal desires and interests. Of what value to God and the church is a leader like Diotrephes (3 John 9) who cannot be under rule and authority. A servant-leader is humble and unassuming in disposition.
f) They Are Listening and Teachable Leaders
It may be wrong to presume that a leader knows ‘everything’. If so, he will become more valuable when he is open to teachings and corrections. One would hardly imagine that Jethro at his levels and background would teach Moses who speaks with God ‘face to face’ some leadership methods that would bless his ministry. Moses succeeded because he exhibited listening ears and added those lessons to the ones he knew already. Ex 18:24-26. Teaching and learning is complementary as we tap into the grace available to others.
g) They Are Strong and Courageous Leaders.
Being rational and ‘cutting our coat according to our size’ cannot be a wrong idea. But it takes a courageous leader to move people in going the extra mile for God. Afterall life is a risk both for those who dare and those who dare not cf. 2King 7:4. Good leaders do not discourage members from attempting ‘great tasks’ even when it falls outside their local assemblies. Success in God’s work cannot be detached from the force of courage. Jos 1:6-9; Num 13:26-33; 1King 2:2; 1Cor 15:58.
h) They Are Visionary and Missionary Leaders
The ultimate goal of the church is to lead people to heaven by bringing them into a saving faith in Christ Jesus. A good church leader is always conscious of this in the discharge of his duties. He works to actualize the primary goal of the church and places other matters as secondary but also necessary. The available resources in the church must be dispensed to include evangelism and missions. Matt 28:18-20

3. Effects Of Good Leadership In The Church
a) Teamwork – good leadership is a team-work. It carries everybody along thereby giving them a sense of belonging. It can be refered to as participatory leadership. King David was loved by the people because he dwelt ‘among them’ 1 Sam 18:16; and always consulted with them 1 Chron 13:1-4. Being dictatorial is only required where an express command by God is being violated.
b) Influence – leadership influences people to do something. This influence can either be positive or negative. Good leadership influences people positively and aligns them with the will of God for the church and their personal lives. How have we been able to influence people in our congregations ? The biggest problem that the church had to contend with in history is the attack of bad influence from the worldly and ungodly.
c) Protection – good leaders protect the flock under their care. How do they achieve this ? (1 Tim 4:13). They do not protect them from fellow brethren in the Lord or sister congregations or church conference, but from false teachings and practices. 2 Cor 11:13; 2 Pet 2:1; 1 Jon 4:1; 1 Tim 4:1
d) Unity – good leaders unite the flock , they do not divide. They work to dismantle barriers and partitions ; and build bridges of brotherly relationships. 1 Cor 3:1-8; Jon 17:20-23
e) Succession – the work of a good leader is not complete without a successor. God has a robust succession plan for the church through the mentoring of the next generation of leaders by the incumbent. Deut 34:9; Luk 10:1; 2 Tim 2:2

4. Conclusion
The value of any Christian ,both leaders and follwers consist in having Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour. All our abilities, our virtues, our goodness revolve around having a gracious personal encounter with God. Jesus remains the best leader of all times, who in answering the CALL, left his home in heaven to die on the cross of Calvary for the people he wants to lead to eternal life.
May God lead us as we lead the church. Amen