Culture Point #1 - Godly Leadership

Thank you for your patience with us in updating the blog! Like many of you, our blog administrator has been busy with ministry, including CYIA training. But we're back in the saddle now and ready to go!

A few weeks ago we listed the CEF culture points – those principles that should guide our ministry. Over the next few weeks, we will take a closer look at each culture point. For our examination of the first point, we thank Dr. Martha Wright for allowing us to adapt this material from her seminar on being a “Leader of Influence.”

The first of our CEF culture points is:

Importance of Godly Leadership at Every Level Spiritual leadership is the highest form of authority. The men and women who lead must have a personal heart for God in order to be able to discern the will of God and lead the ministry effectively. Regardless of the skill of a leader, if he or she lacks a heart for God, the work will be eroded at its very foundation.

A leader has been defined as “a person that influences others; the ability of one person to influence others to follow him/her.” Christian leadership, however, carries that definition a step further. For the Christian, “True leadership is giving oneself to God’s service and the service of others.” If we are fully given to serve God and others, our leadership will influence others for the kingdom of God. You may not see yourself as a leader, but you have TCE students who are watching and learning from you--and not just from the classes you teach!

King David is a wonderful example of godly leadership. Psalm 78:72 says, “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart, with skillful hands he led them.” David not only did the things a leader should do with skillfulness, he also had a heart of integrity to be the person God wanted him to be. Even in times of failure, David was able to correct his course and move forward by God's grace. Godly leadership is not so much what one does outwardly, rather what one is inwardly.

The Lord Jesus Christ is, of course, the greatest example of godly leadership. As you read the Gospel accounts of His earthly life and ministry, you see Him leading with compassion, integrity, strength, humility and grace. He understood the weaknesses of His followers, encouraged their growth, mentored their learning, forgave their failures, challenged their faith and set the example by His own life.

Godly leadership begins in the heart of the leader. God uses those who are in a right relationship with Him (2 Chron. 16:9a; 1 Sam. 13:14). When a leader is right with God, he can be used to influence others despite his own limitations. God can use all of the experiences in your life, good or bad, to build character required for leadership that could not be developed in another way.

What are the foundations of godly leadership:

A growing relationship with God Are you constantly seeking to know God better? Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Author Henry Blackaby says, “Leaders who neglect a close relationship with God will not be able to accomplish God’s will through their organizations.”

Regular time spent in Scripture and in prayer Spending time in the study of God’s Word and in meaningful prayer is the resource of strength for godly leadership. You not only need this time for your own well-being, but for the wisdom you need to lead others. Remember, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Under control of the Holy Spirit Are you daily allowing God’s Holy Spirit to fill and control you? Ephesians 5:18 reminds us to, “Be filled with the Spirit”—He is your guide! Only the Holy Spirit can produce spiritual change. He alone can give wisdom and bring about the results that will ultimately accomplish the task.

Regular times of confession of sin Are you keeping short accounts with God? Godly leaders must be clean instruments through whom God can work. The Apostle Paul said, “. . .”If a man cleanses himself from the latter (wickedness) he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).

Godly leaders aren't perfect people, but they are consistently growing in their walk with God. When these foundations are in place, your leadership will be characterized by compassion, grace, humility and forgiveness.

Our world is filled with competent leaders. There are scores of people who have natural leadership abilities and who have learned good leadership skills. But as a believer—and a CEF instructor of teachers—we need to go a step beyond. We need to be godly leaders!