WHAT
IS EFFECTIVE, SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP?
I.
Introduction:
A. Effective spiritual leadership begins with the
feeling of a burden and is carried out by the desire to serve.
B. Illustrates this by comparing the difference between
secular and spiritual leadership.
II.
Spiritual
Versus Secular Concepts:
A. Spiritual leadership is more complex.
B. The work in the church is completely altruistic for
Christ.
If you are leading a business
C. You can't run the church and exercise spiritual
leadership in exactly the same way. Matthew 20:25-28
III.
Study Biblical
Leadership Examples:
A. Nehemiah.
1) He is one of the great leaders of all time.
B. Concerning Nehemiah's background.
C. He was also a leader in moral and spiritual reform.
IV.
Nehemiah's
CHARACTER For Effective Leadership:
A. He Manifested Genuine Concern For The People's
Welfare:
B. Leadership begins with feeling a burden.
1) Good
elders care enough to be with and communicate with the flock.
C. He Was A Man Of Intense, Heart-felt Prayer:
1) Leaders are people of prayer.
D. He Exhibited Keen Foresight:
1) Spiritual leaders today need foresight and vision.
2) Qualified elders in the church, by "loving what
is good" (Titus 1:8), must be at the forefront of scriptural progress.
E. Nehemiah Demonstrated Proper Caution Before
Beginning His Project:
1) "So I came to Jerusalem and was there three
days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one
what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal
with me, except the one on which I rode" (Neh. 2:11,12).
2) Alexander Pope said, "fools rush in where
angels fear to tread."
a. Nehemiah used good judgment in not prematurely
beginning his work.
b. Leaders today can learn from this.
c. Too often we get excited about an idea and rush in
before thoroughly evaluating the situation, circumstance, and prospects for
success.
3) Wise shepherds must always first ask if a proposed
effort is scriptural (Acts 20:32). (Also note Lk. 14:28-33).
Acts 20:23 except
that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and
afflictions await me.
For which of you, desiring to
build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has
enough to complete it? [29]
Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see
it begin to mock him, [30] saying,
'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' [31] Or what king, going out to encounter another king in
war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten
thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] And if not, while the other is yet
a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. [33] So therefore, any one of you who
does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
F. He Displayed Strong Courage In The Face Of
Opposition:
1) Nehemiah was subjected to ridicule (4:3),
2) threat of force (4: 8),
3) was tempted to compromise (6:2).
4) His response?
a. "I am doing a great work and I cannot come
down.
5) Why should the work stop while I leave it and come
down to you?" (6:3).
6) Spiritual leaders need the courage to withstand
carping criticism, political pressure, and ungodly innuendoes that arise from
within or without.
7) You may even have to withstand such that originates
from jealous or misguided elders or preachers in other churches.
G. Nehemiah Was A Man Of Decisive Action:
1) There was no procrastination or indecision in him.
2) His motto was "let us rise up and build."
3) Today leaders must be men of action.
4) Too many churches languish because of leaders who
habitually "table" every major decision.
5) After a while, no decision becomes a decision.
6) Weeds easily grow in the soil of indecision.
7) Spiritual leadership not only demands strength of
character but requires using workable methods to achieve the goal.
8) Having a good heart is not enough.
a. Remember, principles of truth remain unchanging (1
Pet. 1:25),
b. but expedient methods should change.
c. What worked in the 1950's may not work today.
Spiritual leadership is principle centered and is willing to wisely
change when necessary.
V.
Nehemiah's
Practical METHODS Of Leadership:
A. Nehemiah Was A Good Organizer:
1) Before making detailed plans, he carefully appraised
the situation (2:12-16).
2) He considered the personnel available (2:20).
3) Each group was assigned a specific and clearly
defined task (ch. 3).
4) He gave people an opportunity to develop leadership
skills.
B. Spiritual leaders in the 21st century must learn to
organize.
1) There is so much competition for our time, talents
and resources; we must use them efficiently and effectively. It is still
true that a good leader "plans his work and then works his plan."
C. Nehemiah Trained People To Work:
1) The narrative describes how he properly prepared his
people to do the assigned tasks.
2) Part of the work of pastors, evangelists and
teachers is to equip the saints for ministry (Eph. 4:11,12).
3) Some elders try to micro-manage everything.
4) Some preachers feel they are the only ones who know
how to teach or evangelize.
5) Scriptural leaders must involve others.
6) They know that every member is a minister.
a. Andrew Carnegie had inscribed on his tombstone:
"Here lies a man who knew how to enlist in his service better men than
himself." Strong leaders are secure enough to do this.
b. John Maxwell is fond of saying: "there is no
success without a successor." We must train "faithful men
who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2).
D. Nehemiah Provided Security To Protect The People:
1) He set up a system of guards to protect them as they
worked on the wall (4:6).
2) He was concerned about their safety and security
(4:14-23).
E. Spiritual leaders must also be aware of potential
dangers to those in their trust.
1) Elders (Acts 20:28).
2) Preachers (1 Tim. 4:6).
3) Husbands (Eph. 5:28f).
4) Fathers (Prov. 1:10),
5) must all realize the importance of watching,
warning, and protecting those within their charge.
F. Nehemiah Raised The Morale Of His Co-workers:
1) There was much to discourage them.
2) The assaults of the enemies, the daunting task of
the job and their own inclination to grow weary were issues that Nehemiah had
to address.
a. "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the
Lord Who is great and mighty...Our God will fight for us" (4:14,20).
3) While leaders must at times warn, correct, and even
rebuke, there is a great need for encouragement. Paul exhorted, "encourage
one another."
4) A leader finds ways to lift people, to raise their
morale and refresh their spirits.
G. When we have clear vision of what the mission is
1) Then we can keep people focused and excited about
the work.
H. Nehemiah Was Just "One Of The Guys"
(5:15-18):
1) He did not take advantage of rank or privilege.
2) He led by example.
3) He led by personhood instead of position.
4) People resent leaders "lording it over
them." If you have to "pull rank" to keep people in line,
you are operating form the lowest level of leadership possible.
5) That is why elders are to effectively lead by the
virtue of their influence and godly life (1 Pet. 5:3).
VI.
Conclusion:
A. Indeed the church is the most "intensive
leadership enterprise in society."
B. It requires the best we have to offer.
C. It calls for men of integrity.
D. People with passion.
E. Leaders who lead by Christ like character rather
than clout.
F. We need better spiritual leaders in our homes,
churches, and society.
G. Will you step up to the task? Will you be a
Nehemiah?
-----Ken Weliever in Biblical Insights,
Vol. 4, No. 4, April 2004.