LESSON 13

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP DEFINED

We have already learned that leadership is a biblical concept.
Now we explore a biblical definition of leadership, or learn how leadership is defined in the New Testament.

We begin by examining a significant leadership text, Eph 4:1-16.

This important text sets out three aspects of biblical leadership:

1. Unity in the church is essential for effective leadership
2. The purpose of leadership in this text is equipping the saints for hte work of ministry
3. We bring glory to God by all members working together in the body of Christ

Several significant lessons are learned from this:

1. The unity of the Spirit is that unity created by the Spirit at the new birth of every Christian, we are all baptized into one body by the same Spirit (1 Cor 12:12,13).  We are one body, all brothers and sisters in God's family.  We are one!  We must be careful, even urgent, to maintain that unity.
Without unity in the body/church leadership, equipping, and growth cannot take place.
2. Jesus gave certain gifts of ministry to the church:
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Teaching Pastors (shepherds/elders).
(The correct interpretation of "pastors and teachers" is that they are the same person or ministry, namely, the elders or shepherds of the congregation.)
3. The common denominator or common ministry shared by these four ministry gifts is teaching and preaching.  Apostles were teacher/preachers, Prophets were inspired teacher/preachers, Evangelists are teacher/preachers, and the pastors (elders) are teachers.
4. It is the ministry of the elders (the teaching pastors or shepherds) and ministers (evangelists are ministers) to be busy equipping their members for ministry (service).  
5. A primary ingredient of this equipping ministry is teaching (the common ministry of the four ministry gifts.
How this teaching is done varies according to the ministry, but its primary emphasis is on teaching, training, nurturing, mentoring. 
6. It is only when every member in the body is joined together and functioning that the church can bring glory to God!
Under the teaching and nurturing of elders and ministers the body is equipped, unity is maintained, the body grows to be like Christ, and God is glorified!


WHAT DOES 1 COR 12 TEACH US ABOUT LEADERSHIP?

The Holy Spirit gave gifts to Christians so they could serve one another!
The were gifts of service and ministry.
They were for the common good.
They were for mutual edification, service, and growth.

Leadership is about serving, ministering, it is functional!


NOTICE WHAT ROM 12:3-8 TEACHES ABOUT LEADERSHIP OR MINISTRY

One of the gifts that Paul mentions in Rom 12:3-8 is that of "leadership".
The NIV is a better translation of prohisthmi - prohistemi than that of the RSV "giving aid".
Prohistemi literally means to stand in front of, to take a leadership place.
In keeping with its Episcopal leaning the KJV translates this as "ruleth".
The NASV translates this as in the NIV as "he who leads".

Leading is serving, ministering, teaching, encouraging.


A THEOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP
A theology implies that somehow God and faith enter into the discussion of leadership.

As we look at each of these Scriptures we will notice the following emphases:

Phil 2:1-11 Jesus is the model of Christian leadership
He was humble, a servant, interested in others not his own concerns, he emptied himself of self, and was obedient in everything to God.
Matt 20:20-28 As the Messiah King he came to serve, not to be served.
Lk 22:24-17 Jesus was a servant.
John 13:1-17 Jesus washed the disciples feet, he expects us also to be humble servants.
John 10:1-18 Jesus is a shepherd leader.  He knows his sheep well, they know him well.
Acts 20:28 Elders are shepherds who watch over their sheep with great concern and care.
1 Pet 5:1-6 Elders are not to Lord it over their people, but are to be examples to them.  They lead by example, not by control.

We learn the following lessons about leading:

1. Leadership is not about power, control, position, honor.
2. Leadership involves humility and emptying self.
3. Leadership is about interest in others before interest in self.
4. Leadership is about example not ruling.
5. Leadership is about humble service to others.
6. Leadership involves knowing your people well.
7. Leadership involves being like Jesus.