Leadership:Leadership:A High CallingA High Calling

1Timothy 3:1–131Timothy 3:1–13

4 biblical challenges 4 biblical challenges for leadersfor leaders

Bible StudyBible Study

4 Traits of Biblical Leadership4 Traits of Biblical Leadership

1.1. Commitment.Commitment. Clearly committed to Clearly committed to Jesus ChristJesus Christ

2.2. Conviction.Conviction. Thinks “Christianly” about Thinks “Christianly” about every dimension—money, time, sex, every dimension—money, time, sex, family, recreationfamily, recreation

3.3. Competency.Competency. Knows Scripture and Knows Scripture and one’s gifts and has relational skillsone’s gifts and has relational skills

4.4. Character.Character. Known for self-control, Known for self-control, hospitality, holiness, temperancehospitality, holiness, temperanceB

ible

Stu

dy

Bib

le S

tud

y

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. Think of three people in positions of Think of three people in positions of world leadership. How do they differ world leadership. How do they differ from what we expect of church from what we expect of church leaders? How are they similar?leaders? How are they similar?

2.2. How can we identify potential church How can we identify potential church leaders who meet scriptural leaders who meet scriptural qualifications?qualifications?

3.3. What training would help you become What training would help you become a more effective church leader?a more effective church leader? B

ible

Stu

dy

Bib

le S

tud

y

Creating Healthy Creating Healthy Church BoardsChurch Boards

Numbers 13–14Numbers 13–141 Timothy 31 Timothy 3

A look at the key church A look at the key church leadership teamleadership team

InterviewInterview

Inte

rvie

wIn

terv

iew

““I realized that I realized that our church our church

would never be would never be healthier than healthier than our leadership our leadership

team.”team.”

““I realized that I realized that our church our church

would never be would never be healthier than healthier than our leadership our leadership

team.”team.”

Larry OsborneLarry OsborneLarry OsborneLarry Osborne

How to Grow as a BoardHow to Grow as a Board

Get training in how to lead a church Get training in how to lead a church on everything from church growth to on everything from church growth to group dynamicsgroup dynamics

Talk about philosophy of ministry Talk about philosophy of ministry Learn to think like pastors, focusing Learn to think like pastors, focusing

on what it means to lead a volunteer on what it means to lead a volunteer organizationorganization

Inte

rvie

wIn

terv

iew

Inte

rvie

wIn

terv

iew

““It’s been moved that we adjourn. Is there a It’s been moved that we adjourn. Is there a second? No? The motion dies for lack of a second? No? The motion dies for lack of a second. Let’s continue with my report.”second. Let’s continue with my report.”

““It’s been moved that we adjourn. Is there a It’s been moved that we adjourn. Is there a second? No? The motion dies for lack of a second? No? The motion dies for lack of a second. Let’s continue with my report.”second. Let’s continue with my report.”

The Purpose of a BoardThe Purpose of a Board

Small church:Small church: Helps the pastor get Helps the pastor get the job donethe job done

Larger church:Larger church: Helps the pastor make Helps the pastor make and communicate good decisionsand communicate good decisions

Very large church:Very large church: Provides Provides accountability for staff. Also acts as accountability for staff. Also acts as crisis team in waitingcrisis team in waiting

Inte

rvie

wIn

terv

iew

Key: Key: A healthy elder board changes A healthy elder board changes its role as a church growsits role as a church grows

4 Steps to a Healthy Board 4 Steps to a Healthy Board

1.1. Keep it the right size.Keep it the right size. 5 to 12 people 5 to 12 people

2.2. Spend time together.Spend time together. The more time The more time we spend together, the better we we spend together, the better we understand one anotherunderstand one another

3.3. Offer training and retreats. Offer training and retreats. Shared Shared experiences give common experiences give common background background

4.4. Pray together. Pray together. The Lord’s guidance is The Lord’s guidance is essentialessentialIn

terv

iew

Inte

rvie

w

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. What factors contributed to the What factors contributed to the Israelites’ failure to enter the Promised Israelites’ failure to enter the Promised Land (Num. 13–14)? How can we Land (Num. 13–14)? How can we guard against faulty judgment as a guard against faulty judgment as a group?group?

2.2. What things have helped our board to What things have helped our board to be healthy? be healthy?

3.3. What could we add or change to build What could we add or change to build a better board?a better board?In

terv

iew

Inte

rvie

w

Am I Ready to Lead?Am I Ready to Lead?1 Corinthians 9:24–271 Corinthians 9:24–27

10 questions to determine 10 questions to determine your readinessyour readiness

AssessmentAssessment

10 Questions to Determine 10 Questions to Determine ReadinessReadiness to Lead to Lead

1.1. How have I led in the past? How have I led in the past?

2.2. Can I catch the vision? Can I catch the vision?

3.3. Do I look for a better way? Do I look for a better way?

4.4. Are my ideas practical? Are my ideas practical?

5.5. Do I take responsibility?Do I take responsibility?

Ass

essm

ent

Ass

essm

ent

I’ve got I’ve got much to much to

learnlearn

I’ve got I’ve got much to much to

learnlearn

I do well I do well with thiswith thisI do well I do well with thiswith this

Ass

essm

ent

Ass

essm

ent

10 Questions to Determine 10 Questions to Determine ReadinessReadiness to Lead to Lead

6.6. Will I finish the job? Will I finish the job?

7.7. Am I mentally tough? Am I mentally tough?

8.8. Have I earned peer respect? Have I earned peer respect?

9.9. Does my family respect me? Does my family respect me?

10.10. When I speak, do people listen? When I speak, do people listen?

Ass

essm

ent

Ass

essm

ent

I’ve got I’ve got much to much to

learnlearn

I’ve got I’ve got much to much to

learnlearn

I do well I do well with thiswith thisI do well I do well with thiswith this

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. How did the apostles demonstrate How did the apostles demonstrate readiness to lead? In what areas did readiness to lead? In what areas did they need to grow?they need to grow?

2.2. In which of these 10 areas do you In which of these 10 areas do you feel most ready as a leader?feel most ready as a leader?

3.3. In which of these 10 areas would you In which of these 10 areas would you like to become stronger as a leader?like to become stronger as a leader?

Ass

essm

ent

Ass

essm

ent

5 Hidden Costs of 5 Hidden Costs of LeadershipLeadershipJohn 12:23–26John 12:23–26

Are you willing to pay Are you willing to pay them?them?

AssessmentAssessment

The Cost of LeadershipThe Cost of Leadership

1.1. The price of people’s projections The price of people’s projections

2.2. The price of being a lightning rod The price of being a lightning rod

3.3. The price of displeasing people The price of displeasing people

4.4. The price of unrealistic expectations The price of unrealistic expectations

5.5. The price of fatigue The price of fatigue

Ass

essm

ent

Ass

essm

ent

I’ve I’ve experienced experienced

thisthis

I’ve I’ve experienced experienced

thisthis I haven’t I haven’t had to deal had to deal

with thiswith this

I haven’t I haven’t had to deal had to deal

with thiswith this

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. What leadership struggles did Elijah, What leadership struggles did Elijah, Nehemiah, and Jesus face? See 1 Nehemiah, and Jesus face? See 1 Kings 18–19; Nehemiah 2:11–20; Kings 18–19; Nehemiah 2:11–20; 6:5–16; Mark 6:4–5. What was the 6:5–16; Mark 6:4–5. What was the price each leader had to pay?price each leader had to pay?

2.2. What has church leadership cost What has church leadership cost you? you?

3.3. Think of a leader who resigned Think of a leader who resigned because the price was too high. What because the price was too high. What led up to that?led up to that?

Ass

essm

ent

Ass

essm

ent

The Slump ofThe Slump ofSecond-GuessingSecond-Guessing

Proverbs 6:1–5Proverbs 6:1–5Luke 11:29–32Luke 11:29–32

Philippians 3:12–16Philippians 3:12–16

Making a decision doesn’t Making a decision doesn’t always rest the casealways rest the case

Case StudyCase Study

The CaseThe Case

A church needed leaders, so A church needed leaders, so the pastor said to the board, the pastor said to the board, “I need 10 men who will meet “I need 10 men who will meet with me for a year to study with me for a year to study and pray. Those men will and pray. Those men will then disciple other men. Our then disciple other men. Our goal will be to disciple 50 goal will be to disciple 50 men in the next 5 years.”men in the next 5 years.”

Cas

e S

tud

yC

ase

Stu

dy

The CaseThe Case

The board approved the plan The board approved the plan for Project Mustard Seed. But for Project Mustard Seed. But some members had second some members had second thoughts, saying “We should thoughts, saying “We should have visited and supported have visited and supported all the groups in church all the groups in church before starting something before starting something new.” Others began to new.” Others began to question whether we had question whether we had made the right choice.made the right choice.

Cas

e S

tud

yC

ase

Stu

dy

What Would You Do?What Would You Do?

What can a board do when people What can a board do when people second-guess a decision?second-guess a decision?

When should we hold firm toWhen should we hold firm towhat’s been decided, and what’s been decided, and when should we change our when should we change our decision?decision?

What can we do to make sure What can we do to make sure that a decision sticks?that a decision sticks?

Cas

e S

tud

yC

ase

Stu

dy

Cas

e S

tud

yC

ase

Stu

dy

What HappenedWhat Happened

While stewing over the While stewing over the dilemma of second-guessing, dilemma of second-guessing, the pastor saw a book titled the pastor saw a book titled WaitingWaiting in a display with a in a display with a flower pot and mustard flower pot and mustard seeds. He viewed it as a sign seeds. He viewed it as a sign from Godfrom God

The board agreed to put The board agreed to put Mustard Seed on holdMustard Seed on holdC

ase

Stu

dy

Cas

e S

tud

y

What HappenedWhat Happened

Lesson:Lesson: True leadership True leadership sees the inevitable sees the inevitable problems of ministry yet problems of ministry yet has the spiritual resolve to has the spiritual resolve to wait when necessary for the wait when necessary for the right time to proceedright time to proceed

Cas

e S

tud

yC

ase

Stu

dy

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. According to Proverbs 6:1–5, what According to Proverbs 6:1–5, what should we do about an unwise should we do about an unwise decision?decision?

2.2. When is it better to wait for When is it better to wait for consensus on a decision rather than consensus on a decision rather than proceeding with a simple majority?proceeding with a simple majority?

3.3. What are some ways we can deal What are some ways we can deal with people’s criticism of a board with people’s criticism of a board decision?decision? C

ase

Stu

dy

Cas

e S

tud

y

An Honorable An Honorable AmbitionAmbition

Jeremiah 45:5Jeremiah 45:51 Timothy 3:11 Timothy 3:1

Keeping the tension right Keeping the tension right between the risks and between the risks and rewards of leadershiprewards of leadership

DevotionalDevotional

Risks of LeadershipRisks of Leadership

Most Christians have concerns Most Christians have concerns about whether it’s right to about whether it’s right to want to be a leader:want to be a leader:

• Isn’t it better for the position Isn’t it better for the position to seek the person than the to seek the person than the person to seek the position?person to seek the position?

• Hasn’t ambition caused the Hasn’t ambition caused the downfall of many church downfall of many church leaders?leaders?D

evo

tio

nal

Dev

oti

on

al

Ambitions to LeadershipAmbitions to Leadership

Some ambitions are wrong; others are Some ambitions are wrong; others are noble, worthy, and honorablenoble, worthy, and honorable

• See 1 Timothy 3:1 and Jeremiah See 1 Timothy 3:1 and Jeremiah 45:5 for sorting out the difference45:5 for sorting out the difference

• What rewards did Paul experience What rewards did Paul experience for leading the church? How did that for leading the church? How did that discourage false ambition?discourage false ambition?

• What advice did Jeremiah give What advice did Jeremiah give Baruch about motivation for Baruch about motivation for leadership? What made it unworthy?leadership? What made it unworthy?

Dev

oti

on

alD

evo

tio

nal

AmbitionsAmbitions to Leadership to Leadership

• Christians are called to develop their Christians are called to develop their God-given talentsGod-given talents

• But Jesus taught that ambition that But Jesus taught that ambition that centers on the self is wrongcenters on the self is wrong

• Ambition that centers on the glory of Ambition that centers on the glory of God and welfare of the church is a God and welfare of the church is a mighty force for goodmighty force for goodD

evo

tio

nal

Dev

oti

on

al

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. What are some key differences What are some key differences between a godly approach to between a godly approach to leadership and a worldly approach? leadership and a worldly approach?

2.2. Why does Paul say that hardships, Why does Paul say that hardships, contempt, and rejection are rewards?contempt, and rejection are rewards?

3.3. If leadership’s rewards are so If leadership’s rewards are so difficult, why would anyone lead? difficult, why would anyone lead?

Dev

oti

on

alD

evo

tio

nal

Putting People FirstPutting People FirstProverbs 8:12-21Proverbs 8:12-21

10 10 attributesattributes of a leader of a leader

How ToHow To

10 Attributes of a Leader10 Attributes of a Leader

1.1. Integrity.Integrity. Works in full Works in full view when integrity is at view when integrity is at stake stake

2.2. Vulnerability.Vulnerability. T Trusts rusts others people’s abilitiesothers people’s abilities

3.3. Discernment.Discernment. Perceives changing Perceives changing realities realities

Ho

w T

oH

ow

To

10 Attributes of a Leader10 Attributes of a Leader

4.4. Empathy.Empathy. Understands the cares,Understands the cares,yearnings and struggles of othersyearnings and struggles of others

5.5. Courage.Courage. Is r Is ruthlessly honest about uthlessly honest about living up to the covenant with others living up to the covenant with others he/she leadshe/she leads

6.6. Humor.Humor. Shows compassionate Shows compassionate humorhumor

Ho

w T

oH

ow

To

10 Attributes of a Leader10 Attributes of a Leader

7.7. Intellectual energy.Intellectual energy. Seeks out the Seeks out the competence of one’s followers and competence of one’s followers and helps them growhelps them grow

8.8. Respect for timing.Respect for timing. Is humble in the Is humble in the face of what can’t be controlledface of what can’t be controlled

9.9. Breadth.Breadth. Willing to accept Willing to accept contributions from all quarterscontributions from all quarters

10.10. Comfort with ambiguity.Comfort with ambiguity. Makes Makes some sense out of chaos and lives some sense out of chaos and lives with the restwith the rest

Ho

w T

oH

ow

To

Ho

w T

oH

ow

To

““So I say to my new associates, ‘Be your So I say to my new associates, ‘Be your own man. Don’t be like everyone else.’ ”own man. Don’t be like everyone else.’ ” ““So I say to my new associates, ‘Be your So I say to my new associates, ‘Be your own man. Don’t be like everyone else.’ ”own man. Don’t be like everyone else.’ ”

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. What attributes does Proverbs 8:12–What attributes does Proverbs 8:12–21 suggest that leaders need? Are 21 suggest that leaders need? Are most of these attributes innate or most of these attributes innate or acquired?acquired?

2.2. How can you work on developing the How can you work on developing the attributes of a leader?attributes of a leader?

3.3. Describe a leader who embodies one Describe a leader who embodies one or more of these qualities. How do or more of these qualities. How do you think such leaders maintain their you think such leaders maintain their leadership edge?leadership edge?H

ow

To

Ho

w T

o

Your Conflict StyleYour Conflict StyleMatthew 20:20–28Matthew 20:20–28

Understanding your Understanding your approach mayapproach may ease tension ease tensionwith otherswith others

ActivityActivity

What’s Your Style?What’s Your Style?

1.1.You avoid a You avoid a painful issue painful issue and withdraw and withdraw from itfrom it

Act

ivit

yA

ctiv

ity

4.4. You try to You try to win your win your casecase

5.5.You find a You find a way for the way for the group to group to solve a solve a problemproblem

3.3.You yield You yield to a to a stronger stronger positionposition

2.2.You work You work toward a toward a compromisecompromise

Role PlayRole Play

1.1. A young man and woman who are living together A young man and woman who are living together want your pastor to marry them. Should he do it?want your pastor to marry them. Should he do it?

2.2. A youth leader is trying to work with a gang of kids A youth leader is trying to work with a gang of kids in the church parking lot, but others want them to in the church parking lot, but others want them to leave. What should we do?leave. What should we do?

Act

ivit

yA

ctiv

ity

ChooseChoose a conflict style other than a conflict style other than your own and play that role while your own and play that role while discussing the following: discussing the following:

DiscussDiscuss

1.1. How was this style different from your How was this style different from your usual style of relating to conflict? usual style of relating to conflict?

2.2. When has your conflict style worked When has your conflict style worked well for you? When not?well for you? When not?How might you adjust How might you adjust your style?your style?

3.3. How can we as leaders How can we as leaders help each other mature help each other mature through conflict?through conflict?A

ctiv

ity

Act

ivit

y

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

1.1. Name some things we learned about Name some things we learned about a healthy board.a healthy board.

2.2. What could we change right now to What could we change right now to improve our board?improve our board?

3.3. What could we do to What could we do to help equip people help equip people for leadership?for leadership?

Lea

der

ship

Lea

der

ship

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today InternationalAll rights reserved. For use by purchaser only. No reproduction please.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society

For more information, go to:http://www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com/