Empowering Leadership
The Vision of Empowering Leadership
Eph 4:11-13 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ….
The purpose of leadership
Equipping is katartismos from katartizo which means to mend, repair, make whole or healthy, of setting bones, mending nets in turn from
katá = with + artízo = adjust, fit, finish related to means to make something or someone (in this case the people of God) completely adequate or sufficient for service to the Lord and His kingdom.
The basic idea is that of putting a thing into the condition in which it ought to be. In politics it is used for bringing together opposing factions so that government can go on.
A Word Centered Leadership
2Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
A Prayer Centered Leadership
Act 6:4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.“
The Elders are the office that strives to lead by teaching the word of God and prayer.
Deacons provide leadership by compassion & help
Jas 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Healthy Relationships Between Leaders and Followers
Heb 13:17-18 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
Lawlessness & Legalism in Leadership
1Pe 5:1-3 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Legalism would have a worldly spirit of domination over the people of God. This is when leaders try to have power and control over the flock in an abuse manner. The idea of the priesthood of believers is denied practically.
Lawlessness is when the idea of the priesthood of believers is used to deny the need of leaders. Here those called to be leaders are abused by a spirit of dishonor and rebellion.
Servant Leadership
Mar 10:42 -45 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
So What?
Leaders are you doing what God has called you to do in teaching, praying for, and serving others?
Followers are you getting equipped with the Word so that you will be able to do God’s will in your life?
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