The purpose of leadership

                                      

Discipline. Rom. 13:1-5 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”

No organization or family will succeed without  discipline. The offender should be punished and the obedient praised. A leader should not be partial in judgment. 

Leadership is there to care for the welfare of God’s people. God is looking for people who care.

Ez. 34:5-6 “…scattered because there is no shepherd.”

1Pet.5:2-3 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.”

a)      You have to feed them – with the word of God. As much as possible a leader should create jobs for his followers

b)      Taking oversight – to be mentally sensitive to their needs. People should have good families, good jobs, good businesses etc.

c)      By being examples of good Christians to their followers.

For guidance and decision making. A vote or crowd does not equal decision. After all suggestions, somebody has to stand and articulate the decision. Note that the majority is not always right.

Look at the level of the followers – don’t compromise when their opinion is wrong – stand for the right decision. Sometimes you have to stand alone. There is time of rejection .

Jn. 6:68 “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Even when they reject you, stand for the truth. Those that love the truth will definitely abide.

Acts 15:19 “Wherefore my sentence is…” Every successful leader is a commander. Having heard all their opinion, you have to stick out your neck and take the right decision. Indecision is dangerous. You cannot become a leader until you become yourself. You are a leader when you can articulate your views.

Remember that posterity will forgive you if you make a decision and fail than that you did not make a decision at all.

Orderliness – there must be a way for doing things and everybody is expected to comply.

Modeling. Jesus used most of his ministry teaching his followers - thus reproducing himself in them.  He had the first 3, the 12, the 70, 120 and the multitude.

Leadership is graduated – that means you move from one level to another. Don’t let people into leadership without training and proving them. A person that is not trained cannot be trusted.

Don’t appoint people who love leadership into position – it is destructive. Put people who feel empty – they are ready to learn – they are humble and meek.