Here are the notes from tonight's Lead Meeting:
(Audio to follow soon.)
Thanks for all the input and participation.
Here's credit to the originators of the material. All errors and limitations are probably from me.
Why do Churches Need Leaders?
What makes a ministry successful?
- Key to success in ministry getting in line with what God wants to do, or is doing.
- Biblical concept of ministry is "serving God or other people in a way that furthers God’s will or purpose."
- True ministry must be empowered and directed by God.
- "It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing." (John 6:63)
- "Unless the Lord builds the house, they do labor in vain that build it." (Psalms 127:1)
- Paul "glor[ied] in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." (Phil. 3:3)
Contrast - Human Agency is important:
Acts - People planted the church in each city.
Why does God give gifts? - 1 Cor. 12:4-7
How does God build faith? - Rom. 10:14
How much human involvement is needed to succeed? 2 Cor. 5:19
The task of Leadership:
God has delegated the task of reaching the world to Christians.
God expects Christians to Lead in getting that work done.
"Fellow workers with God." (1 Cor. 3:7)
Where did OT leaders come from? Where do NT leaders come from?
Matt 9:37,38 The Harvest is plentiful... but...
Leaders must be prayerfully raised up. Prayer and Training are critical.
The Divine Bottleneck. The human bottleneck. Which can we fix?
If all ministry were God's activity, all groups would be equally effective.
Groups with poor leadership suffer.
Encourage, Train, Excite, Imagine.
Ministry Implications:
1. Ministry plans that don't conform with what the scripture says about How God works are doomed to failure and not worth pursuing. What should be central in our ministry activities?
2. We can be "successful" without Divine empowerment. We want God's level of success, not our culture's vision. If God isn't in it, no matter how flashy or big, we don't want it. How do we discern between biblical success and cultural success? Where do we find the answers?
3. Leadership is more Watchful than Forceful. Where is God moving? What is God doing? Force - PRessuring, Dragging Along, Manipulating. Watchful - careful scriptural observation. Leading by example and influence.
4. Leaders who view ministry through God's eyes are less prone to imbalance. Failure is less depressing and Success is less inflating. Ultimate responsibility for the kingdom lies with the king.
5. A huge people driven ministry should be less desired than a small faithful God driven congregation. Size matters not... commitment to truth and grace does.
6. "Learning" and "Trends" are not the same as the Hand of God. Prayerful discernment is difficult business, and prayer is required from all of God's people.
7. We should be continually scanning our area of influence for potential leaders.
What are the qualifications for leadership in the Church?
Faith. Baptism. Obedience = Fruit. Standards.
- Discipleship and Mentoring often bring out potential ministry problems. This is an opportunity for growth and ministry.
- All believers have gifts to be used in Ministry. 1 Cor 12.
- Key to Leadership Replication = Faithful Feeding, Discernment, Mentoring.
- Discipleship is intensive, inefficient work. Frustrating, Don't Become Frustrated.
(Audio to follow soon.)
Thanks for all the input and participation.
Here's credit to the originators of the material. All errors and limitations are probably from me.
Why do Churches Need Leaders?
What makes a ministry successful?
- Key to success in ministry getting in line with what God wants to do, or is doing.
- Biblical concept of ministry is "serving God or other people in a way that furthers God’s will or purpose."
- True ministry must be empowered and directed by God.
- "It is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing." (John 6:63)
- "Unless the Lord builds the house, they do labor in vain that build it." (Psalms 127:1)
- Paul "glor[ied] in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." (Phil. 3:3)
Contrast - Human Agency is important:
Acts - People planted the church in each city.
Why does God give gifts? - 1 Cor. 12:4-7
How does God build faith? - Rom. 10:14
How much human involvement is needed to succeed? 2 Cor. 5:19
The task of Leadership:
God has delegated the task of reaching the world to Christians.
God expects Christians to Lead in getting that work done.
"Fellow workers with God." (1 Cor. 3:7)
Where did OT leaders come from? Where do NT leaders come from?
Matt 9:37,38 The Harvest is plentiful... but...
Leaders must be prayerfully raised up. Prayer and Training are critical.
The Divine Bottleneck. The human bottleneck. Which can we fix?
If all ministry were God's activity, all groups would be equally effective.
Groups with poor leadership suffer.
Encourage, Train, Excite, Imagine.
Ministry Implications:
1. Ministry plans that don't conform with what the scripture says about How God works are doomed to failure and not worth pursuing. What should be central in our ministry activities?
2. We can be "successful" without Divine empowerment. We want God's level of success, not our culture's vision. If God isn't in it, no matter how flashy or big, we don't want it. How do we discern between biblical success and cultural success? Where do we find the answers?
3. Leadership is more Watchful than Forceful. Where is God moving? What is God doing? Force - PRessuring, Dragging Along, Manipulating. Watchful - careful scriptural observation. Leading by example and influence.
4. Leaders who view ministry through God's eyes are less prone to imbalance. Failure is less depressing and Success is less inflating. Ultimate responsibility for the kingdom lies with the king.
5. A huge people driven ministry should be less desired than a small faithful God driven congregation. Size matters not... commitment to truth and grace does.
6. "Learning" and "Trends" are not the same as the Hand of God. Prayerful discernment is difficult business, and prayer is required from all of God's people.
7. We should be continually scanning our area of influence for potential leaders.
What are the qualifications for leadership in the Church?
Faith. Baptism. Obedience = Fruit. Standards.
- Discipleship and Mentoring often bring out potential ministry problems. This is an opportunity for growth and ministry.
- All believers have gifts to be used in Ministry. 1 Cor 12.
- Key to Leadership Replication = Faithful Feeding, Discernment, Mentoring.
- Discipleship is intensive, inefficient work. Frustrating, Don't Become Frustrated.
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