Effective ChristianEffective ChristianLeadershipLeadership

Overview“The Stakes of

Leadership”

Major Resource

Bill Hybels, Sr. Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church

“Not a book on leadership theories, but on proven leadership practice” (p. 12)

“…that men and women with the spiritual gift of leadership . . .”

Major Resource

“. . . will begin to lead energetically, joyfully and effectively in local churches everywhere, and that under the blessing of God and the leadership of these devoted servants of Christ the church will become what it is meant to be: a force against which the very gates of hell cannot prevail.”

-- Hybels, Courageous Leadership, p. 12

Other Resources

“Victorious Christian Service:– Studies in the

Book of Nehemiah

A leader’s devotional guide!

By Alan Redpath

Other Resources

Leader’s Source of Power

Inner Life of A Leader

Why Some Leaders Excel

How To Make An Impact

Other Resources

What Leaders Do The Vision Thing Becoming A

Spiritually Mature Leader

The Life Cycle of A Leader

Building A Team Conflict: The Refining

Fire of Leadership

Other Resources

Other Resources

An Opening Question

What is it that makes a Christian leader effective?

What’s At Stake? The sickening and awful reality and

depth of sin and evil in our world– “Strong, growing communities of faith can

turn the tide of history. They can!” (p. 22) The future effectiveness of the local

church– “The local church IS the hope of the world.”

(p. 15) The challenge – What if what happened

in Jerusalem (Acts 2:46ff) could happen in Lancaster County? At Cross Roads?

What’s The Key?

Maybe church location??– Not so!

Maybe a particular denomination??– “Within every denomination, and beyond, I

have discovered prevailing churches.” (p. 25) Maybe the ideal facility?? Maybe great preaching??

– “Sermon junkies tend to stay in their comfortable pews, growing ever more knowledgeable while becoming ever less involved in the surrounding community.” (25)

What’s The Key?

“What flourishing churches have in common is that they are led by people who possess and deploy the spiritual gift of leadership.” (26)

“The local church is the hope of the world and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.” (27)

Why Do We Need Leaders?

(Can’t the Church Lead Itself?) The Bible says so!

– “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might . . . appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5)

“Leaders cast the vision; leaders realize that ‘anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.’” (John Maxwell)

Leadership Myths

A leader is “born,” not “made” A leader has a “charismatic”

personality A leader dominates others Leaders are “loners”

21st Century Leadership

“The skillful leader then does not rely on personal force; he controls his group not by dominating it but by expressing it . . . The person who influences me most is not he who does great deeds but he who makes me feel I can do great deeds.”

Mary Parker Follett

21st Century Leadership

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

JESUS in Matthew 20:26-28

What Is A Christian Leader?

Scripture texts– Romans 12:1-8– 1 Timothy 3:1-7– 2 Timothy 2:1,2

Scripture models– Moses– Paul– Barnabas– Peter– Others . . .

Christian Leadership Is . . .

A spiritual gift– 2 Timothy 1:6 (cf. Romans 12:8)

A spiritual calling– 1 Timothy 3:1; 2 Tim. 1:6

A spiritual passion or desire– 1 Timothy 3:1f

From Paul’s letters to Timothy

The Gift of Leadership

Context of A Leader

Character of A Leader

Courage of A Leader

“the one who leads . . . go for it! ” (Romans 12:8)

Courage of A Biblical Leader

“the one who leads . . . go for it!” (v. 8)– Diligent, directed

effort that strives after something

– “If it is leadership, let him LEAD! ”

Courage of A Biblical Leader

Found in his/her calling by God– “Here is a trustworthy saying: If

anyone sets his heart on being a leader [overseer], he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1)• “stretch forth to grasp” (1st verb)• “sets his heart on” (2nd verb)• Definite, God-given, deep-seated longing

that explodes into action

Courage of A Biblical Leader

Found in what he/she does—LEADS!– Does what is right, not merely the “right things” (manager)• “Popularity is not leadership. Results

are.” (Peter Drucker)– Sees things as God does—casts

vision– Empowers others to see and choose

what God wants• “Effective leaders delegate.”• “The only definition of a leader is

someone who has followers.”

Courage of A Biblical Leader

“Lord, give me . . .– David’s optimism – Joseph’s integrity– Joshua’s decisiveness– Esther’s courage– Solomon’s wisdom– Peter’s initiative– Paul’s intensity”

(Bill Hybels, Leadership Summit, 1998)

How To Be/Become God’s Leader

Develop your passion for leading Immerse yourself in the church-

community life Learn and grow in leadership skills Grow deep in Jesus Christ so that

others see it– “Be diligent in these matters; give

yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” (1 Timothy 4:15)

Your Turn

Q&A

Next TimeNext Time

“The Leader’s Pathway”

(Chapter 11)