Effective Leadership in Ministry by Dr. Henry Vazquez

[Dr. Henry, President of the AOCI]

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY - Luke 22:24-27

INTRO: Let me begin by telling you a story of some Frogs who wanted a leader. The frogs first hired a leader who they could describe as a solid log. Initially, the frogs where very happy with the “log” leader because they could Jump on the log, run all over the log, and the log was unresponsive. This type of leader is the “yes” leader. The frogs finally fired the log because the log provided no real leadership. Then the frogs hired a leader which was described as a “Stork”. The stork leader made great noise, attracted attention, stood above its members and commanded respect. But soon the frog’s joy turned into mourning as the stork began eating the frogs. This illustrates one of the main problems within the church as it relates to effective Christian leadership. Sometimes you either have a Log or a Stork leader but God wants us to have balance in our leadership styles (Proverbs 11:1: I like the way that the KJV reads)

WHAT EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY IS NOT

1. LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY IS NOT POLITICS. In Luke 22 the disciples where arguing over who was the greatest. They had a contentious spirit. They had pride and strife. They verbally attached one another in an attempt to gain political prominence in what they expected would come about shortly – an earthly kingdom. 3 John 9 speaks of a local church member who wanted to have preeminence among them (Diotrephes).

2. LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY IS NOT HAVING AN AUTHORITARIAN ATTITUDE. Jesus responded to the disciples in Luke 22 with comparing their behavior as those of the Hellenistic monarchs who ruled Egypt and Syria. Their leadership is described as “exercising lordship. Paul uses this same wording in Rom. 14:9 to refer to “negative control” like that of deaths attempt to hold dominion over Christ (Rom. 6:9). Also as the power of sin in the life of the believer (Rom. 6:14) and the hold of the law on the people freed by the Gospel (Rom. 7:1). Finally, a similar word is used to describe the control which demons have over people (Acts 19:16). EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY IS NOT AUTHORITATIRAN CONTROL OVER THE MINDS AND BEHAVIOR OF OTHER PEOPLE. Later Peter remembered the lesson of this very night when he wrote in his letter not to lord over Gods people.

3. LEADERSHIP IN MINSITRY IS NOT CONTROLING AND MANIPULATING PEOPLE. Christ came to serve and so should ministers. Leadership is not flashy personal magnetism or wonderful platform charismatic personality but serving the body of Christ in word and in deed.

WHAT IS EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY? The leadership of Christ: 1. Focused on people. 2. Focused on the WORD. 3. Focused on providing a good example to follow. 4. Focused on purpose (goals)

NUGGETS ABOUT LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY:

1. LEADERS SHOULD BE PERCEIVED AS LEADERS BY THOSE WHOM THEY LEAD
2. LEADERS HIRE TO THEIR WEAKNESS, CRAVE STRONG ORGANIZATION MORE THAN A GOOD IMAGE AND COMPENSATE FOR WEAKNESS BY SUBMISSION TO CHRIST
3. LEADERSHIP IS BEST INFORMED BY UNDERSTANDING SEVERAL FIELDS OF LEARNING
4. LEADERS ARE SUPPORTED BY A NETWORK OF MANY FRIENDS WHO ARE GODLY
5. LEADERS ARE OPEN TO FEEDBACK TO DETERMINE PROGRESS, MAKE MID COURSE CORRECTIONS AND AFFIRM THE WORTH OF THE GOAL
6. LEADERS SHOULD BEGIN BY STARTING WITH GOD IN THE PROCESS
7. LEADERS WILL CONSIDER TIMING IN DECISION MAKING
8. LEADERS WILL KEEP THINGS MOVING, FOSTER DEVELOPMENT, AND STOP POOR PERFORMANCE
9. LEADERS ESTABLISH DIRECTION BUT ALLOW OTHER MANAGERS TO RESEARCH THE TASK, PLAN HOW THE TASK WILL BE COMPLETED, AND ORGANIZE RESOURCES FOR THE TASK
10. LEADERS WILL WAIT FOR LAY LEADERSHIP TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE COACHING AND MENTORING
11. LEADERS CAN SURVIVE THEIR MISTAKES BY BEING OPEN, FORGIVING, AND AWARE THAT THEY HAVE NOT ARRIVED - WE ARE ALL IN A CONSTANT PROCESS OF LEARNING AND MATURING
12. LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE THREE STAGES OF SPIRITUAL HEALING: 1. ACKNOWLEDING HYPOCRISY 2. REPENTING 3. RESTORING OUR PRAISE TO GOD

[Dr. Henry, President of the AOCI]

I Agree. Too many leaders are trying to "lord over the flock". This I believe to be satanic and un scriptural leadership. I pray God will teach, guide, and show us all how to lead God's people without the manipulation that is so prevalent in so many ministerial circles. With the LORDs help and guidance, the Association of Clergy International will lead a biblically sound fellowship of clergy men and women to the Glory of God the Father. I hope you sense this true fellowship in the Spirit here brother. And again, it is a real blessing to have an articulate, sincere, and God loving minister such as yourself connected to the AOCI. The LORD bless you greatly in Christ name.

[Christopher R. Dockrey]

These are all very good points. It seems that at the heart of the character flaws that would disqualify us from leadership is selfishness. Authoritarian political controllers are too egocentric to concern themselves with the flock of God. I have always found it interesting that Paul told the Philippians,

"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:19-21).

So while Paul commends Timothy's leadership skills, he denounces all of the other candidates, saying essentially that they are too concerned with themselves to be concerned with the Philippians. I find that this attitude is often prevalent in ministry. I doubt that any of us have been unaffected by it, and many of us have even been guilty of it ourselves. I know I have. I think the first qualification for being in the ministry is that you must first be a Christian. I know that's not "deep", but it's true anyway.