training leaders for ministry

7/29/2019 Training Leaders for ministry

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M

ariaEgilsson

2010

ChoosingandTrainingLeadersto

lead

A four part series on what is involved in

choosing and training leaders to assist

or to carry on the work of a ministry.


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Leadership is often thought of as raising others up and pouring into them so they, in turn, can pour out to others.

However, leadership begins with leading ourselves. This means that leaders make sure that they walk the talk. A

leader leads themselves by taking responsibility in laying a good foundation, accepting authority, and being open to

correction. Leading ourselvesis deliberately connecting to Christ, having spiritual disciplines in our life and submitting to

the leading of the Holy Spirit. A leader needs to build a good solid foundation before they begin to train others. Leading

ourselves is being aware of the responsibility involved in leadership so a leader will work hard at maintaining a life of

integrity before God first. Then incorporating what is known as Jethros principles (found in Exodus 18) will provide the

building blocks needed that will support a strong ministry no matter if it is a ministry to ten, fifty, hundreds or thousands of

people. Then, a leader needs to know what is the specific area of ministry that God has called them too before they can

effectively start raising up leaders to assist them, or to carry on the ministry after them.

This mini-series on leadership will cover:

PART 1: ABCS OF LEADING OURSELVES

PART 2: JETHROS PRINCIPLES

PART 3: LEADING OURSELVES TO DISCOVER GODS PERSONAL DESIGN FOR OUR LIVES

PART 4: LEADERS HAVE FOLLOWERS BUT HOW DO YOU CHOOSE DISCIPLES?


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PART 1: ABCS OF LEADING OURSELVES

A leader should definitely be skilled in what they do but it involves much more than this. Group leadership, whether of a

large group or small, should bring with it, an acute sense of responsibility; to God, the local church, and the group itself.

Leadership arises out of who we are before God. A seasoned leader also learns how to bring their beliefs, values and

experiences in line with the direction of the local church. A wise leader realizes that their responsibility is to move people

to God. Leading ourselves is making sure that we make conscious choices to be in a vibrant relationship with God.

Leading ourselves is also realizing that no one grows to maturity alone; the Body of Christ needs each other.

Some basic ABCs of leadership are:

A: ACCOUNTABLE

To maintain your own personal walk with God.

2Peter 1:10 NASB Therefor e, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as

long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

To lead from your life, not only from intellect.

Acts 3:1-11Peter and John declare to a lame beggar that they do not have silver and gold but such as I have give I thee.We pour out to others, what God has poured into us.

B: BALANCE

A leader will realize that their own ministry is imbalanced because it is colored by their own beliefs,

values, experiences and emotions.

Balance is found by accepting and recognizing the ministry of other members in the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other

parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

C: CORPORATE AUTHORITY

As a leader you place yourself under the authority of church leadership and work in tandem with your

pastors helping to extend the churchs ministry.

You are careful in not allowing dissension or division.

A wise leader serves with humility and therefore is open to receive correction.


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PART 2: JETHROS PRINCIPLESLeading ourselves is being able to recognize that leadership can be demanding and tiring. Exodus 18 is a scriptural

model of leadership that incorporates these ABCs principals. Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, observes how tired

Moses is from the demands of leadership. He presents some very wise observations and outlines 3 basic principles.

These principles also incorporate the ABCs of leadership as well as the underlying concept that a sharedministry is a

strong ministry.

JETHROS PRINCIPLES

1. PRAY: TAKE THE ISSUES TO GOD

Moses was accountable in maintaining an active relationship with God.

Moses served the people by being their representative before God.

Exodus 18:19: Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people'srepresentative before God and bring their disputes to him.

2. TEACH: THE PEOPLE THE LAWS AND PRINCIPLES.

Moses brought balance because he understood his role and calling from God. He was to teach, and to

walk the talk. Accepting the wisdom of leadership from Jethro (corporate authority) enabled work of

God to continue.

Exodus 18:20 Teach them the decrees and laws show, them the way to live the duties they are to perform.

3. ENLIST: DELEGATE TO OTHER AND TRAIN UP LEADERS.

Moses allowed himself to come under Jethrosauthority while at the same time increasing his own

effectiveness by selecting and training others for leadership positions. In order to prevent (or lessen)

dissension, specific roles and duties were to be assigned.

The role of the people selected was to help by bearing the burden with Moses so they came underMoses authority.

Exodus 18:21-22: Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, and place such over them to be rulers of

thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the

burden with you.


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PART 3: LEADING OURSELVES TO DISCOVER GODS PERSONAL DESIGN

In Exodus 18 there is wise advice given to Moses from his father-in-law, Jethro that can be broken down into 3 principles:

1. TAKE THE ISSUES TO GOD IN PRAYER

2. TEACH THE PEOPLE

3. ENLIST, TRAIN, AND THEN DELEGATE

This section will bring out the concept that leading ourselves means discovering whatGods unique design is for our

individual lives. Moses knew that God had called him to teach the people the laws and also to show them how to live.

Exodus 18:20 Teach them the decrees and laws show, them the way to live the duties they are to perform.

Leading ourselves is being aware of the ministry God has entrusted to us.

1Co 7:17 NASB

Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk.

A leader cannot train others to assist in the ministry if the leader themselves is unsure of the specifics of Gods

call on their live.

Paul was called to be an apostle to the gentiles; Peter was called to preach to the Jews.

... when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been

entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for the mission to the

circumcised worked through me also for the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7,8).

What is the message or assignment that God has given to you to share with others?

Eph 2:10 NASB For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared

beforehand so that we would walk in them. God created us as His workmanship

That means that you are uniquely designed and specifically crafted for the work that you are to do.

He also created the work that is His intention for us to accomplish.

It is important to know what the specifics of your calling are in order to train others to stand and minister with you. But

above all, a spiritual leader is called to be an example to others, that he will be able to say to them, "Follow me as I follow

Christ".A wise leader makes sure that he does not self-promote but demonstrates leadership by leading others to stay

connected to Christ alone as their Head.


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PART 4: LEADERS HAVE FOLLOWERS BUT HOW DO YOU CHOOSE DISCIPLES?

It is normal for leaders to have followers. The bible also calls followers, disciples. These are the ones who are keenly

interested in what the leader is doing. Moses had disciples, John the Baptist had disciples, Jesus had disciples. Jesus

also looked for disciples to follow Him so that they could carry on His work when He returned to heaven.

Jesus gives a model of leadership similar to the one Jethro gave to Moses. There comes a time when the leader needs to

actively seek disciples with the express idea that these ones will stand with him in ministry, or to step in to carry the

ministry over time.

So what does a leader look for when choosing a disciple?

Jesus had the advantage in that He knows the heart of man but we can follow the advice Jethro gave to Moses.

Exodus 18:21

But select capable men from all the people men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint

them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Three characteristics of leaders and potential leaders are:

Fear God

Trustworthy

Not greedy

These are characteristics that can only be seen by spending time with people in more intimate type settings. It is also

receiving feedback from others that you trust who may know the character and lifestyle of those that are being considered

as potential leaders with you. Leadership is also progressive. A person isnt put in a position over thousands unless they

have been tested, tried and seasoned over the tens. Then the responsibility is increased gradually to the fifties and

then hundreds, and then over thousands. Ministry is a calling from God and the passion is something that is oftencaught by observing and watching leaders in action. This is similar to Elijah passing the mantle to Elisha in 2 Kings

2:11-14 where Elisha took up the mantle of Elijah and continued his ministry.

Skills are important but a potential leader brings so much more to the ministry, as stated in the introduction of this series,

beliefs, values, emotions, experiences, behaviors. A potential candidate should be considered like an apprentice and

the leader demonstrates how to incorporate all of these pieces as well as showing them the ropes. Dont rush through

these steps! Jesus took about a year and a half to complete His choosing of the twelve. Then they were with Him for

almost two years watching, observing, learning and doing. An effective leader learns to break down the ministry into

manageable steps and then delegates some of those areas of responsibility to those leaders that have been enlisted.There needs to be a system of accountability whereby a leader can oversee and evaluate how the new team members

are doing. Constructive criticism, positive feedback and encouragement go a long way in motivating new leaders to stay

on course.

The incorporation of these basic principles will ensure a solid foundation that is based in integrity before God and will be

honorable to Him as we learn to carry out His kingdom work on earth.

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