(IMCS-TANZANIA)
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
by Emmanuel Msacky
Leaders need to be good example in all their ways,they have to be a role model,they have to do right things and not merely doing things rightly,Christian Leaders need to do more than this--- They have to walk the same way as that of Jesus Christ who is their master...... Emmauel Msacky,General Secretary of IMCS-TANZANIA.
Character is defined as a ‘description or report of a person’s qualities’ or as the ‘sum of distinguishing features of an individual,
Character may also be defined as habit long continued or as who we are now as a person.
Character is all the negative and positive qualities in a person’s life, i.e. our thoughts, values,attitudes, feelings, motives, morals and what comes out when we are under pressure.
Christian leaders need to have developed a godly character to some extent. They may not have reached perfection in this area, but people need to be able to see God in them.
Leaders are the people who are up front and, as such, are usually the most visible people in any organisation.
After all, the church is the instrument through which God has chosen to represent Christ to the nations. The leaders of the church, therefore, need to be shining examples of what God wants His people to be. They need to manifest Jesus to a world which is becoming increasingly sinful and corrupt.
Christian leaders cannot hope to enable those they lead to be more Christ-like,if they themselves do not have something of the character of Jesus.
Developing a godly character
We become what we input (and how we behave as a result of what we input). Leaders need to learn this and make sure they only feed on the right things (Philippians 4:8–9)
Character is not just given to a person; it is developed overtime as we yield our life to God and HisWord, and as we discipline our life to do His will (2 Peter 1:3–11; Hebrews 6:1–3). In fact, we all have a fallen nature which is often lazy and which fights against the ways of God. To overcome this, we need to replace it with a Christ-like character that will walk with God, no matter what.
The more Christ-like a leader is, the more usable and available to God he will be, and the more fruitful and effective for God he will be (John 15:1–17).
Leaders need strong, godly characters in order to withstand many trials, persecutions and temptations that will inevitably come their way. Gifts and
abilities are not enough on their own to make any ministry ultimately successful. On the other hand, just possessing relevant character traits does not equip a person to perform effectively as a leader.
God’s leaders are only as effective as the quality of their relationship with Him. God wants leaders who can stand before Him and look Him in all ways.
God wants leaders who are full of faith, because they know that anything that God says will happen, will happen – nothing is impossible for God and, therefore, nothing is impossible for them as they obey God.
A leader’s heart
Our heart is the inner person. Down deep where hope is born, where decisions are made, where commitment is strengthened, where truth is stored, and mainly where character (the stuff that gives us strength and makes us wise) is formed.
Our heart, in spiritual terms, is the centre of our being, where our character and personality reside (Proverbs 27:19). It is the seed bed of our thoughts,motives and decisions. It can also be thought of as the door between our spirit and our soul.
Leadersmust guard their heart, because out of it flows the springs of
life (Proverbs 4:23). In fact, what we speak arises from what is
in our heart (Matthew 12:34–37).
What do you give your heart?
All Christians must decide what they are going to allow to captivate their hearts; the things we input into our life will decide this. If we give ourselves to God and His ways, we will find our heart is captivated by God and the things of God; but if we give ourselves to sin or selfishness, we will find our heart is captivated by sin or self (Matthew 6:21).
ü We need to keep our heart open to God and never allow disillusionment, disappointment, bitterness or hurt to so get a grip on us that we harden our heart to Him (Proverbs 28:14; Jeremiah 32:39–40; Psalm86:11; Ezekiel 36:26; Ezekiel 18:31).
Our heart is important because:
ü It is a sphere of divine influence (2 Thessalonians 3:5).
ü It is the place where God sows His word (Luke 8:12, 15; Psalm 119:2, 9–11, 161; Deuteronomy 5:29).
ü It is the place where we need to believe in God to gain salvation (Romans 10:8–10).
ü It is a place where Jesus should reign as Lord (Ephesians 3:17; 1 Peter 3:15).
ü It is a residence of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22).
ü . It is the place where God pours out His love into our lives (Romans 5:5). It is this which enables us to love God and our neighbour (Luke 10:27).
ü . It is the place in which condemnation arises (1 John 3:19– 22) and in which our conscience resides (Hebrews 10:22).
ü . It is the place in which the peace of Christ should rule (Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7).
ü . It is the place where God sets eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
ü . It is the place where trust arises (Proverbs 3:5–6).
ü . It is a place in which we can sing and make music to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19–20).
ü . It is a place where wisdom seeks to reside (Psalm 90:12).
ü . It directs our life (Luke 6:45; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 19:21; Numbers 15:39; Proverbs 28:26).
ü It is a place where evil can reside (Matthew 15:18–19; Mark 7:19–23; Matthew 9:4; Jeremiah 17:9–10).
ü . It is the seat of envy and pride (Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 23:17).
I. Leaders will be feeding their people with what is stored up in their heart. They may try to hide the bad, but it will have a negative effect on those they lead over time (Mark 7:14–23).
II. We need to keep our hearts pure, as leaders, and put a guard on them in order to keep them pure (James 4:8). In fact, we should allow God to search them and we should keep a constant watch on them (Psalm 4:4; Psalm 26:2–3; Psalm 139:23–24; 2 Chronicles 16:9; 2 Chronicles 12:14; Deuteronomy 11:16; Proverbs 23:19).
The Characteristics of Good Christian Leadership
I. The fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit can be thought of as the character traits which the Holy Spirit seeks to develop in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). Jesus exhibited all the fruit of the Spirit and we are to imitate Him. This is not something that happens immediately a person becomes a Christian: It is something which the Holy
Spirit progressively enables as we yield our lives to Him.
II. Love
Leaders should love God and their neighbour (Matthew 22:37–39) and should be motivated by love (1 Corinthians 13:1–13; 1 Corinthians 16:13, 14; 1 John 4:7–21). All leaders should remember that it is possible for them to fall in love with their gift or ministry, and never really fall in love with God or being in His presence. We need to let God pour out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). We can tell how much we love God, by how much we obey His teaching(John 14:23).
III. Joy
As we remain in God’s love, His joy comes to dwell within us (John 15:10–11). Joy is a character quality, not just an emotion. It is knowing a deep happiness, harmony and satisfaction in ourselves which arises out of our relationship with God. God’s joy helps us to endure suffering, hardship and rejection as leaders (Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 5:11–12; Nehemiah 8:10). The joy of the Lord in a leader’s life will also enable the leader to lift those they lead out of any pit of despair, because this joy, wisely radiated, is contagious. The joy of the Lord also enables leaders to lead in times of persecution or suffering and to maintain the morale of their people.
IV. Peace
The peace of the Lord defies description, because it is beyond understanding (Philippians 4:4–7). It is something you know you have if you have it, and which you miss if it leaves you. It guards our hearts and minds and keeps them as they should be, by remaining when we are doing what God wants and
causing dispeace when we are not. It is like a hedge around our minds and it helps us to stay on course with God. Peace is knowing God is in control, despite the circumstances. Leaders need to let the peace of God rule in their hearts, because they need to know that they are always following the Lord and
leading the people, for whom they are responsible, in the right direction (Colossians 3:15).
V. Patience/long suffering
Patience is waiting on the Lord and trusting Him, no matter what is happening to us. Leaders, in particular, need to gain this character trait, because many who aspire to leadership are ambitious, go-getter type people, who want everything to be done yesterday. God has His timing for things to be done and a leader needs to learn this. At times, this means the leader will have to endure in a situation that is quite painful or costly(Habakkuk 2:3; Hebrews 12:1). Leaders also need to be patient with those they lead, not expecting too much, too quickly, and not driving their people forward, causing them to become
exhausted and discouraged (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Leaders need to be wise and patient, ministering at the right time, bringing the word of God in season, and leading their people the right way at the right time (2 Timothy 4:2) Hebrews 6:10–12; James 5:7–11).
VI. Kindness
Kindness can be defined as God’s love expressed in a practical and meaningful way to another living being. It is giving what we, as leaders, have received from God to those we lead inealistic, tangible ways. Kindness looks for ways to give to others. Leaders need this character quality in order to be able to see the needs of those they lead, and then to meet that need in the appropriate way (1 John 3:17; Colossians 3:12; Luke 6:35).
VII. Goodness
All goodness has its origins in God (Luke 18:19; Psalm 34:8; Acts 10:38) and all good gifts find their source in Him (James 1:17; 3 John 11). God wants His leaders to give His good gifts to His people. When they do this, it bears fruit (Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 5:8–10). We are all God’s workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus to do the good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). As we do these good works, God has promised to provide us with everything we need (2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Timothy 3:16–17), as long as we stay clear of sin and we stay available to Him (2 Timothy 2:21).
Our lives should also reflect God to those in the world because of our good deeds (1 Peter 2:12).We should therefore continue doing good, even if we suffer for it (1 Peter 3:17; Romans 12:21). As leaders, we should never tire of doing good, and we should be encouraging those we lead to continue in their good
works so that God may be glorified (Galatians 6:9–10;Hebrews 10:24).
VIII. Faithfulness/faith
Leaders need to be people of faith, i.e. people who believe God more than what they see or feel (2 Corinthians 13:5; Hebrews 11:1), because unless they are, they will not be able to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Leaders should know that God always proves faithful to His word and, therefore, they should put their trust in Him (Isaiah 55:11; Numbers 23:19). In fact, leaders should so believe God, that they receive from Him whatever He has promised, no matter how impossible it may seem that He can do that thing (Romans 10:17). Faith is not just a passive thing; it needs to be fleshed out and made active.
Faith is practical in that it is given to enable Christians to serve God and to enable leaders to meet the needs of those they lead (James 2:14–26). Leaders should also remain faithful, even when everyone else is unfaithful (1 Peter 4:10; Matthew 25:23).
IX. Gentleness/meekness
Gentleness may be defined as being humble, loving and yet strong. It is not forcing our opinions on to others or manipulating them, but rather obeying God and getting on with His work. It is bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2); and it is seeing ourselves as we really are – totally dependent on God. Leaders need to develop this character quality to enable them to overcome pride, especially in the wake of success (Numbers 12:3). It also enables leaders to stay in a place of security, because they do not think of themselves more
highly than they ought (Romans 12:3), i.e. they have nothing to prove and they, therefore, do not need to impress or to compete with other people. It is the meek who will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5), probably because they are not too stubborn or too proud to do it God’s way, instead of their own way (1 Peter 5:5; James 1:21–22; 1 Corinthians 1:25). It is gentleness that enables leaders to be strong with those they lead and not damage, offend or crush them. Leaders need to live a life of gentleness and encourage those they lead to do the same
(Titus 3:1–2; 1 Timothy 6:11).
X. Self-control
Leaders must be self-controlled. This is choosing to discipline our lives, so that we do what God wants us to do, rather than what we would like to do. It is essential that any leader manifest this quality in increasing measure as his life
progresses. Without it, he will not be able to set the godly example he needs to set as a leader (1 Timothy 3:1–3; Titus 1:6–9). Self-control also enables us, as Christians, to stay alert for enemy activity and to stay away from sin, thereby staying effective for God (1 Thessalonians 5:6–11; Proverbs 25:28;
Titus 2:11–14; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). Self-control becomes striving unless it is motivated by love and is done in God’s strength. It is something that we grow in as we mature in Christ and as we direct all our efforts towards serving God (2 Peter 1:5–9).
Some other important character qualities of a leader
ü . Leaders should be people who know that they are God’s and that they are anointed by His Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21–22).
ü . Leaders should be enthusiastic and be able to inspire enthusiasm in their people (Colossians 3:23). It must be remembered that zeal without knowledge and wisdom is dangerous. The zeal of young leaders in particular needs to be balanced, if possible, with a mature knowledge of God and His ways.
Leaders should be stable, firm and dependable. Their people should see them as decision-makers and as people who are not blown around by every new idea they hear or by every conflict that comes their way. Leaders who are constantly
changing or compromising are difficult to trust and follow. Leaders should be a pillar that their group can trust and lean on. Leaders, therefore, need to be strong
spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally – and they need to have solid, deep, well laid spiritual foundations which are based on the Word of God and Jesus and which, therefore, cannot be shaken. Leaders need to be people to whom others can look for help, wisdom and an example to follow.
Leaders need to be good listeners. Leaders should listen to God and to others in the same way that they expect God to listen to them. One of the most important aspects of effective ministry is listening. Listening is vital to communication and takes up a large percentage of it. Leaders who listen, learn what other people have received from what they have said; can discern more readily the needs of those to whom they are about to minister; and find they
stop rushing in too early. It must be remembered that listening is not just hearing the words spoken by another person, but is receiving and understanding what another person is trying to communicate. It is possible to hear and not listen or understand (Matthew 13:13).
Leaders should have thankful hearts and a constant attitude of praise, because they know that God always meets their needs and never lets them down. They should also have a prayerful attitude, because they realise they cannot get
along without constant communication with their heavenly Father (Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
Leaders should appreciate God for who He is and for all He has done for them and given to them; and they should help their people to appreciate God for the same reasons. God has done so much for all of us, as Christians, and He does not want to be taken for granted, especially by His leaders who, after all, should know better. All the glory for any success in ministry belongs to God and maintaining an appreciative heart towards God enables this (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Leaders must be secure enough in God, in themselves, and in their ministry to cope with rejection. God’s uses rejection, at times, to teach us about ourselves and to encourage us to be dependant on Him. Jesus was rejected often during His earthly ministry and yet He remained victorious.
Leaders need to be skilful in what they do. If they are lacking in a certain area, they need to get help or ask God to provide for them. God wants our service for Him to be an act of worship and, therefore, everything we do should
be done excellently. Those who follow us are far more likely to do things well, if we set the example in this area.
Leaders need to be forgiving people, not harbouring grudges or hurts. It does not matter how wrong anybody is in their attitude towards us, and how right we are – we still need to forgive them(Matthew 6:14–15; Mark 11:25– 26; Luke 6:37–38: Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:13).
Leaders need to be able to forgive people, even when their loved ones have been wronged. Remember, forgiveness is not just a matter of saying words, but of truly giving a pardon for all that was done and, therefore, now holding no grudge or bitterness towards the person; you can now treat the person as if nothing wrong had ever happened – they owe you nothing and you expect nothing from them. It is also important that leaders learn how to forgive
themselves when they make mistakes or when they fail,because leaders are no good to anybody when they are wallowing in self-pity. Leaders cannot tell other people about God’s forgiveness, if they cannot receive His forgiveness for themselves (usually because of pride)
Leaders need to be peacemakers, because such people raise a harvest of righteousness and are called sons of God (James 3:18; Matthew 5:9). There are few better witnesses to the world of the power of God than a group of people
where the peace of God reigns; and there are few people who win more respect than peacemakers. Leaders need to watch out for and know how to deal with gossip, slander and misunderstanding, all of which is devastating to the peace and unity of any group.
Leaders need to be dedicated, loyal and committed to their people. A dedicated, loyal and committed leader usually has dedicated, loyal and committed followers.
Leaders need to be able to take the centre stage in a group situation and they need to be able to get the best out of their group. The leader of a group tends to be the person who polarises the behaviour of those around them, but not always; e.g. extroverts may be able to be the centre of attention in a group, but they may not be able to get other people in the group to do the things that are required.
Leaders should be content within themselves. They should be content with what God has for them to do and with what God has provided for them (1Timothy 6:6–10). This, however, does not mean they should put up with
second best or give anything but their best.
Leaders must always be honest, sincere and trustworthy so that they can win the respect of those they lead. People find it very difficult to trust a dishonest or hypocritical person and they find it very difficult to follow a person they do not respect. Those we lead also need to know that we will do as we say, not forgetting to do something and not going back on our word.
Leaders need to be gracious, giving praise where it is due,and acting in a suitable manner with all people. Leaders also need to be willing to help those who are undeserving,unlovely and those who never thank them (Luke6:35–36).
Leaders must be bold, strong and courageous and inspire the same qualities in those they lead (Joshua 1:6–9). People want their leaders to go ahead and set the pace; and they want an example to follow. Without strong leaders, especially in today’s high pressure, ungodly world, the people of Godwill be scattered, made ineffective and even be destroyed. Leaders will reap a harvest, if they do not
give up (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:35–39). Leaders must also realise that God is the source of their strength (Psalm 138:3 AV; Psalm 71:16 ) and, therefore, they need to depend on God, rather than on their own natural
strengths and abilities (Isaiah 40:31; 2 Corinthians 4:16– 18; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; 2 Corinthians 13:4).
Leaders need to be people who are responsible. They should know that the buck stops with them and be willing to make decisions. They should also act responsibly towards those they lead, doing and saying the right thing at the right time. A group’s achievement is linked to who leads it and how they handle responsibility. .
Leaders should be humble and selfless, puttingGod and the needs of others before their own needs (Micah 6:8; Matthew23:11–12). This does not mean they should burn themselves out doing this, but rather do as Jesus would have done in the situation, i.e. discover the Father’s will and do it. Like Jesus, we should know that all we need to achieve the Father’s will will be made available to us.When Jesus washed the disciples feet, who was humble and who was humbled (John 13:1–17)?We need humility in order to keep the right motives as leaders. Remember, it is the meek who will inherit the earth (Proverbs 22:4; Matthew 5:5). Leaders should never think of themselves as better than those they lead, but as one who serves. After all, we are all equal in God’s sight. We all have the same position as sons of God – it is only our roles that differ. Jesus said, ‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked’ (Luke 12:48).
Leaders need to be prudent, i.e. discreet. They should never gossip and never betray a confidence, because their ministry relies on those who follow and trust them.
Leaders need to be wise. Without godly wisdom, leaders will not know how to use their knowledge or minister effectively to their people. Solomon knew he needed this more than anything else, but he forgot that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (1 Kings 3:5–14). All leaders should ask God for wisdom (James 1:5–8).
Leaders need to be compassionate and concerned for those they lead. This will enable them to put themselves out for those who need them and it will give them the ability to empathise with those to whom they are ministering. Mercy, according to Jesus, was one of the more important matters of the law (Matthew 23:23). Leaders today need to be people who can give mercy to those they lead, just as God gives mercy to them (Luke 6:36). One of the most important ways God has chosen to release His mercy to His people is through His leaders. They, therefore, need to have understood and received God’s mercy themselves, and they need to be faithful in their administration of this to those they lead. It must be remembered, however, that mercy should never be shown at the expense of truth (Psalm 25:10 ; Proverbs 3:3 ; Proverbs 16:6 ) and that mercy is not pity (which feels sorry for someone, but does nothing to help them).
Leaders should always maintain a teachable spirit, especially towards the Bible, because it is God’s handbook on life and is able to solve life’s problems. Even leaders do not know it all! Leaders must be flexible and be willing to change and learn. God has always more to do in our lives and more to teach us.We should never think that we have arrived or that there is nothing more to be done in us. God wants bendable, malleable leaders who rely on Him and who are always aiming for perfection (Philippians 3:12–16; 2 Corinthians 13:11).
Leaders should be focused and determined. They should set their sights on the purposes of God and set clear-cut, achievable goals that will enable the will of God to be accomplished; and they should not give up until those goals are achieved. Leaders should be determined to be fruitful for God.
Leaders should be diligent, watching over their group and making sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing.Most people like to be accountable to someone for what they do, so that they can be affirmed in their work and so that someone else has the ultimate responsibility.
Leaders should also be watchful for the first signs of trouble or enemy activity in their group and so nip the problems in the bud, before they have a chance to blossom.
Leaders should be generous and willing, wanting to give rather than receive, and to serve rather than be served. It is comforting to know that God always gives back to us when we give, but we must not expect Him to give back in
the same way in which we gave, e.g. if we gavemoney, we may get back a friend. Leaders who have a mean, miserly attitude cannot expect their group to be generous to each other, to them, or to others outside the group (Luke 6:38;
2 Corinthians 9:6–11). Leaders should nurture and cherish their group, caring for them as a bird cares for its young or a mother nurses her baby. This will necessitate sacrifice on the part of the leader, but any worth while leader will be willing to pay the cost. Leadership is often thought of as handling adults, but God thinks of it more in terms of nurturing His children. Good leaders know what their people need in order to grow, taking into account their level of maturity (i.e. they discern where they are at and what they need in order to take them on). Sometimes, this will involve discipline or correction and, at other times, it will involve teaching, care or encouragement – good leaders know the right balance. Leaders must know what their people need to have built into their lives in order to equip them for their future service for the Lord; and they must be able to give it to them at the proper time, and in the most appropriate, receivable way.
Leaders should have a heart for unity, because God blesses it (Psalm 133:1–3). With this in mind, leaders should teach their people not to do anything that will cause another to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:8–13; Romans 14:1– 15:7). A unified group achieves much, whereas a group which does not know unity, tends to go round in circles as the members fight amongst each other and seek to get the upper hand, winning people to their cause. God wants His people to be of one heart and mind. A group which can do this can achieve almost anything to which it sets its mind.
Leaders should know their dependence on God, and so be continually seeking the Lord in order to discover His will, prepare their lives, and gain the strength and empowering needed to obey and fulfil His will. Leaders should only function out of their relationship with God.
Leaders should be totally available to God, so that He can lead them and build everything that is necessary into their lives. Leaders can only lead or teach out of what they have had previously built into their lives.
Leaders should not be fearful people, especially in the area of witnessing. If a person is afraid to openly witness before they are a full-time leader, they will probably not be much of a soul-winner afterwards (2 Timothy 1:7).
Leaders need to have their minds, thoughts and lives totally consecrated to the Lord. God does not want leaders whose minds are so cluttered up with garbage that they cannot hear Him. Leaders need to be righteous and pure in character. Sin will only interfere with the leader’s walk with God and give the enemy a foot-hold in their life. If a leader cannot live an exemplary life in this area, he will find that those who follow him will either get disillusioned and leave, or will begin to compromise in their walk with God. Leaders must live disciplined lives. The requirements and demands on leadership in the church today are vast, but they should never be so vast that a leader’s devotional life is compromised.
Leaders need to be able to manage their time, finances and energy wisely, so that they can do all that is required of them: by God, their family and the ministry; and so that they can set an example in these areas to those they lead. Leaders also need to have the discipline of study in their life, so that they are able to feed their people with fresh, life-filled, Holy Spirit-inspired teaching. . Leaders must be able to judge: between right and wrong; between good and bad (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22; 1 John 4:1–6); and disputes among believers (1Corinthians 6:1–8).
Leaders must be able to teach those people they lead (Acts 5:42; 1 Timothy 4:11; 2 Timothy 2:15). This does not mean that every leader has teaching as their primary calling; but it does mean that they need to be able to communicate God’s will to those they lead and help those people to live in the good of it. Leaders should also be able to provide a good spiritual climate in their group, so that all the people in it grow in Christ. This means the leaders will have to provide a variety of teaching to meet the needs of new Christians and to meet the needs of those who have already attained some measure of maturity in
Christ. To do this, leaders should learn to discern the spiritual level of those they lead, and feed them accordingly – milk for the babies and solid food for the more mature (Hebrews 5:13–14). (Note, babies are liable to choke on solid food.) Leaders need to be concerned with all their people and not just with the majority. Leaders need to remember that as they sow the seed of God’s word into the lives of those they lead, it is as if they are handing out seed to these people and they in turn will be able to sow that seed into other people’s lives (Isaiah 55:10–11; 2 Corinthians 9:10; 2 Timothy 2:2).
Leaders must be able to guide their people in the ways of God. God does want to guide His people directly, but He also wants to lead His people through His leaders. Leaders must discourage those they lead from having the rebellious attitude of ‘no one is going to tell me what to do!’. God’s people need the guidance of their God-given leaders; in fact, this is one of their most important responsibilities. Leaders, however, must be careful to lead their people only in the ways that God would have them lead. Leaders need to remember that the only place God guides those who are sinning, is to the place of repentance (Luke 6:41–42). Both the leaders, and those they lead, need to be in a right place with God before they can usually expect any guidance from Him, therefore, if any guidance is contrary to this, it is not from God (Numbers 23:19).
There are three reasons why God guides His people:
Firstly, so that His people will bring glory to Him and extension to His Kingdom through the work He has guided them to do for Him; secondly, so that His people will be guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13–15); and thirdly, so that His people will develop a Christ-like character.
Leaders need to be able to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. Every leader must know that they can go to God on behalf of those they lead in prayer. They need to know that God can use them to deliver their people from situations as sin, unbelief, hurts, disappointments, sickness, depression, hopelessness, fruitlessness and oppression, etc. In the power of the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God. Leaders, therefore, need to be able to discern what is happening in the lives of the people they lead and, using this information, minister effectively to those people, when needed.
Leaders should be people who take up their authority in Christ and who provide a spiritual covering for those they lead. Leaders need to be a shield to their people in order to protect them. Note, their people do not benefit from this protection, unless they submit their lives to God and to and they live obedient, humble, trusting, faith-filled, Spirit-led and empowered lives. People need to allow God, and those He has delegated to be His leaders, to be their protectors. Leaders also need to be there when their people need them; in fact, they must
be accessible and be willing to drop everything and go, if necessary. Any group needs their leader to be available when the enemy attacks or when other people oppress them. The leader should be known as a person to whom anybody can run for help (and get it); and he should be capable enough to put the person back on his feet, enabling him to serve God effectively again. This helps the group to see their leaders as people where safety, security and refreshing are found, and as people who know the enemy’s tactics and how to defeat him. Leaders should never encourage their people to be continual
ministry cases by pandering to their flesh or their weaknesses for extended periods, because the people will rely more on this than on God for their well-being.
Leaders need to be spiritual watchmen who guard and guide their flock (Ezekiel 3:16–21; Ezekiel 33:1–20). Watchmen are accountable to God for those they lead. They should be able to discern what will happen in the future as a consequence of their group’s actions today, and they should warn their people accordingly (Galatians 6:7; Hebrews 13:17). Watchmen must also communicate in such a way that their people understand what God is saying and know what He wants themto do. It is no good blaming the people for doing something you told them not to, if you did not tell them in a way they could understand and act on.Watchmen must also be careful to give their people what they need and not just what they want. They must be able to tell what is of God and what is not and be able to teach their people to do the same. In this way, they can help to protect their people from the rise in deceptive teaching that is evident in the church today (Matthew 24:4–25; Mark 13:22, 33; Acts 20:26–31; Ephesians 5:6–7; Jude 3–16). The Characteristics of Good Christian Leadership 97
Leaders need to be submissive both to God and to those who are over them in authority (1 Thessalonians 5:12– 13). Leaders cannot expect people to submit to them, if they will not submit to God and to His delegated authority. Leaders also need to submit to the people in their group, if they bring a ‘word’ from God that is right (Ephesians 5:21).
Good leaders know how to gain and keep the right friendships. Leaders need to have loyal friends with whom they can enjoy the social side of their character. Well-rounded leaders knowhow to relax with their family and friends in a way that honours God. A leader’s friends tend to reflect the type of character he has. Remember, bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Leaders should respect their God-given parents. Often the way we treat our parents will be reflected in the way we treat those we lead (Ephesians 6:1–3). . Leaders should always live in the good of what they preach, especially in their homes or in other places where they can relax. It is no good preaching one thing in the pulpit and living a hypocritical life at home – the family and other people will notice and it will reduce your credibility. ‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’ (2 Timothy 2:15)
Prepared by : EMMANUEL F. MSACKY
GENERAL SECRETARY OF IMCS
IMCS-TANZANIA
Email (i) msackyemmanuel@yahoo.com
(ii) imcstz@yahoo.co.uk
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