"Triple-A Leadership"

Nov.28/04 1Tim.3:1-10; 5:17-22

NCD characteristic "Empowering Leadership"

Grade A Large, Please

Life is full of grades. We love to make comparisons. We rate toddlers by whether they're walking at 7 months or still content just sitting and looking. The story was told of my uncle that at 7 months he walked right under a table and out the other side without touching it! 1In primary school, the teacher may decide which are the best pictures that warrant display on the wall. Our public education system is set up on the "grade" system, whether there be 13 as formerly or 12 as now. In high school we're concerned a poor mark on our biology project will pull down our average. In college, those who get the best grades are rewarded with scholarships.

        Unfortunately it doesn't stop when we finish our academic life. Employers grade us on our performance. The stock market is buoyed up when Google receives an upgrade to a AAA rating from securities firms. People develop an opinion of us based on whether we're late for meetings, our driving habits, even what kind or vintage of car we drive. People suffering from physical or mental challenges may find themselves subtly ignored or circumvented. Human beings are born 'classifiers' based on all sorts of criteria, conscious or unconscious.

        However, few of these gradings really matter when it comes to God's opinion of us. In 1Timothy the apostle Paul points out what character qualities are most important in Christ's Kingdom. He identifies for his younger protege half a dozen areas that make for what we might call "Triple-A Leadership" - top-class character.

Anchored

In v9 the Bible suggests something that's really crucial for anyone who would be a Christian leader: what I call being 'Anchored'. It says deacons "must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience." This is where it all starts; a leader needs a point of reference, basic irreducible facts from which a worldview sprouts. Christian believers find these axioms in the Bible. In 2Tim.2(8) Paul sums it up, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David: this is my gospel..." Another place he summed up what was "of first importance" was in 1 Cor.15(3-5), where he speaks of Christ's death, resurrection, and appearances to hundreds of people vital to belief. When death creeps up on us or lunges completely unexpectedly, we need to be absolutely sure of these things. Paul refers (2Tim.3:16) to Scripture as a "God-breathed" deposit of truth which is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..." The Bible is our reliable, indispensable reference.

        It would be dangerous to put in a position of leadership someone who does not make a practice of daily submitting themselves to the Lord through meditation on Scripture. Luke (1:2) refers to the early evangelists as "servants of the Word". God emphasized how essential it is to be grounded in His truth when He commissioned Joshua after the death of Moses. He told the new leader (Josh.1:8), "“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.Then you will be prosperous and successful.” We see this ritualized in the crowning of a Jewish king in 2Kings 11(12): “Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king.” As a country, Canada will enjoy "peace and good government" only as long as our legislators and judges recognize God's moral absolutes.

        Besides developing a Biblical worldview, a lived relationship with God through prayer is another 'anchoring' factor. One of Christian Schwarz's checklist items in the NCD Implementation Guide says, "The pastor spends much time in prayer to receive a vision from God for his personal life and for the church." Another resource says, "Effective leadership begins with an intimate relationship with God, resulting in Christlike character and a clear sense of God's calling for leaders' lives." Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness before starting His earthly ministry; He took a night in prayer before choosing the 12 apostles (Mt.4:2; Lk.6:12). A leader must be spiritually anchored.

Above Reproach

Credible leadership in the church also requires moral purity. In the news this week, a high school teacher in Mitchell was relieved of classroom duties do to an investigation concerning alleged sexual exploitation. If convicted, such a moral slip not only could destroy his career, but bring shame and stress on his family too. Moral integrity is even more important in the church. 1Tim.3:2 says, "Now the overseer must be above reproach" - and note how many of the following characteristics relate to this: being temperate, self-controlled, respectable, not given to drunkenness, not violent (that is, able to control his temper), not a lover of money; and v7, "He must also have a good reputation with outsiders." All these things have to do with self-control in various areas, which together keep one "above reproach". Self-control is the 'fruit of the Spirit' listed last in Gal.5(23) but it's one of the most important endowments in cultivating godliness and uprightness. "Just say no" to those bent, deceptive desires.

        There is much renouncing in discipleship - turning passing pleasures down now for the sake of eternal reward later. Jesus warned (Mt.10:37f), “"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Yet He also promised (Mt.19:29), “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

        What are the four top qualities followers want from their leaders? James Kouzes and Barry Posner in their book Credibility say these are the top four things followers want from those in charge: honesty; forward-looking; competence; and inspiring. (repeat) Honesty and ability to inspire have much to do with staying above reproach.

Ability

We find a third essential for leadership at the end of v2: "able to teach". A leader must have ability, 'competence' as that previous list put it; a skill set that enables them to teach and communicate and win support for God's vision from those they lead. Some of this goes back to #1, Anchored: being familiar with Scripture educates a leader to be able to teach others in turn. It is through Scripture, Paul writes (2Tim.3:17), that the man of God is made "adequate, equipped for every good work."

        Today's Christian leader needs to be aware of the spiritual gifts they have -- and also the gifts they don't have. Then they can put together a team around them of people who possess the gifts they lack. No pastor can do it all; leaders need to draw on the skills of others which complement their own skill set, else they'll become a bottleneck.

        As opposed to a "superman" or "lone ranger" mentality, leaders of healthy churches concentrate on enabling other people, training and coaching them, thus multiplying disciples in line with Christ's vision. That's why this NCD quality characteristic is called empowering leadership. One resource says, "Leaders of growing churches concentrate on empowering other Christians for ministry. They do not use lay workers as 'helpers' in attaining their own goals and fulfilling their own vision. Rather, they invert the pyramid of authority so that the leader assists Christians to attain the spiritual potential God has for them. These pastors equip, support, motivate, and mentor individuals, enabling them to become all that God wants them to be."

        Jesus wants leader-believers to have a servant attitude rather than being a "know-it-all" or Wonder Woman. He said in Mark 10(43-45), “...Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” We find 'hanging-in-there' power as servants because He Himself enables us. When He sent out the 12 disciples on their first mission experience, we're told He "gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” (Matthew 10:1) Paul says, "“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."” (Ephesians 4:7-8) These gifts are the source of our ability.

Approved by Apprenticeship

Skip on down to 3:10- Paul directs that deacons "must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons." There is a process of approval, of testing. 5:22 cautions, "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands..." In other words, give potential leaders some experience, try them out first. One of the key areas in which they develop experience is their own family. Look back at 3:4-5- “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)” You see the idea here of one's immediate family as a testing ground (some days testier than others!).

        Healthy churches develop a "coaching" culture. Perhaps senior leaders meet with group leaders quarterly to touch base and offer advice for problems and vision for the future. Jesus used the "Show-how" method of training. He sent the Twelve out on a trial mission in Luke 9:2; a chapter later(10:1), He expands the impact by sending out 72 other disciples.

They'd already been watching Him in action, modelling evangelism for some time.

        Bob Logan and Tom Clegg explain that "Show-how training" has 5 stages: I do / you watch; I do / you help; You do / I help; You do / I watch; You do - someone else watches (and so the cycle continues and multiplies). All our groups need to develop an "apprenticeship" approach so current leaders use the 'show-how' to multiply leaders that can then start new groups. New groups attract new members from that 'potential congregation' of our personal contacts we're praying for.

Affirmed

It's important that leaders be affirmed and encouraged as they're trained, and on an ongoing basis. 1Tim.5(17) teaches that the elders who direct the affairs of the church well "are worthy of double honour". Not just single honour, but double honour. The Enemy no doubt takes aim especially at those who are in leadership positions, so let's be supporting them in prayer, and appreciating them besides all the scrutiny we usually apply.

        In Luke 10(17f,21,23) the 72 who'd been sent on the short-term mission returned rejoicing that even the demons had submitted to them. Listen to the way Jesus affirms them, giving them a verbal 'pat on the back': He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (In other words, you really trounced him!) He doesn't hide the fact that He too is full of joy. And then He says to them, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see." He speaks of them being more blessed even that prophets and kings of the Old Testament. Very encouraging.

        Logan & Clegg observe: "Atmosphere for healthy leadership equals two parts affirmation to every one part change. Believing in people; Permission-giving; Freedom to fail; Affirmation for trying." No need to be sparing in our praise for those who serve well in leadership: cheer them on, celebrate their effort, afford them the 'double honour' they deserve.

Accountable

Christ's style of leadership is never tyrannical or autocratic and heavy-handed, but accountable. We're never 'lord' for He alone is. 2Tim.2(24f) says, “And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct..." Nothing about being wimpy or a 'wuss', but firmly and gently standing for truth.

        Paul draws this accountability to Timothy's attention in 5:19-20: “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.” Pastors and leaders are to be defended from malicious or spurious accusations. A pastor should be able to ask an elder to pay a visit to someone who's acting out of line and being disrespectful -- in order to accomplish some (gentle!) 'attitude adjustment'. Galatians 6(1) talks of restoring someone who has trespassed "in a spirit of gentleness - each one looking to himself, lest you too be tempted".

        On the other hand, if there are legitimate complaints and the pastor's out of line, even a senior church official ought to be rebuked - and the sooner the better, in hopes of restoration before the problem gets worse. There's to be no partiality or favoritism (5:21).

        Jesus practiced being up-front with his disciples, holding them accountable. In John 13(37f) when Peter boasts, "I will lay down my life for you," Jesus stops him: "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"

        Then in John 21(15-17,19) after the Resurrection there's that painful but necessary scene where Christ takes Peter to one side and three times very deliberately asks, "Do you love me?" Of course Peter realizes this corresponds to his 3-fold denial of Jesus the night of the arrest. Peter is hurt by the questioning, but it's all part of being answerable for one's actions, rebuked and restored. The Master concludes by re-commissioning the fallen disciple: "Follow Me!" It's been dealt with - let's get on with the project!

Dr Billy's Inseparable Team

In closing, in musical terms, empowering leadership in the church is not a solo: it is a chorus, many voices blending together in harmony, individual catch-breaths concealed by the sustained efforts of the group.

        Dr Billy Graham has been an outstanding Christian leader for the better part of a century. He exemplifies these things Paul's emphasized: being anchored, above reproach, able and accountable, and so on. He's lasted when others haven't partly because from the start he wisely drew around him a circle of men who would help him.

        Another Bill - Hybels, of Chicago's Willow Creek church - was invited to Washington several years ago to watch Dr Graham receive the Congressional Gold Medal of Honour. There were scores of government officials and dozens of world leaders. Bill Hybels recalls, "when Dr Graham stood to receive his medal, he looked at the award and then said quietly, "This medal is really not for me. This medal is for our team. We've been together for 45 years. Without each member my life would not have been the same. I owe them so much." Then he listed, one by one, the names of those who had formed the core of his evangelistic ministry. As he spoke their names he struggled to contain his emotion."

        Hybels adds, "I did not fully realize how deeply Dr Graham and his associates valued 'team' until, sometime later, I enjoyed a visit with him at his home in Montreat, North Carolina. He led me down the hill from his home and pointed out the houses being built nearby by some of his team members. Apparently, 45 years of togetherness was not enough for this tightly knit team. Even as they neared the end of their lives, they wanted to be together, caring for and supporting each other, just as they had throughout their ministry years. I was deeply moved by their commitment to stay together all the way to the end."

        However you want to grade that team - I think you'll agree they passed with flying colours! As we patiently and ably serve one another, Jesus can grant us the same delightful camaraderie as HIS 'team'! Let's pray.