THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 3, NUMBER 26, JULY 27, 2003

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A LEADER?

          The last two bulletin articles have dealt with elders in different ways.  What I would like to do in this article is to simply make some personal observations about leaders and note what some others have said: what is a leader, why be a leader, and what kind of leaders does God want.  I hope you will find it beneficial and helpful.

WHAT IS A LEADER?

            A leader is a real, live human being.  Even though the movies seem to be about super heroes lately, there is no such thing as a superman.

            A leader is a man of dedication. He is dedicated to his family, his job, his community, the church, and above all else, the Lord Jesus Christ.

            A leader has a deep sense of responsibility.  He knows that he owes those who follow him his very best and he refuses to do any less than that.

            A leader has a sense of urgency about his work for the Lord. He realizes the need for evangelism and for doing good to all men (Mark 16:15-16; Galatians 6:10).

            A leader is a finisher.  He knows that a good beginning is not enough; it is completion that counts.  Dynamic leadership demands that things are seen through to the end.

            A leader is a person of conviction.  He knows what he believes and he knows why he believes it.  “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15).

            A real leader is an out-front person.  He knows that you can’t drive people, you must lead people.  So he is out in front giving directions, assistance, and helping others follow him to victory in the Lord.

            A leader is a person of self-control.  He grows daily in patience and works hard to gain mastery over all aspects of his life, recognizing as he does that the Lord is his ultimate Master.

            A true leader is teachable.   He doesn’t think that he knows it all, but seeks to learn from others.

            A leader is God’s man, a true student of the Word.  He takes to heart Paul’s admonition to Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15)

            A leader is a forgiving person who refuses to allow problems and negative attitudes in others to create a bad attitude within him.  When repentance is manifested, his forgiveness knows no limit (Luke 17:1-7).

            A leader is a planner and a goal setter.  He sets both short and long term goals and strives to attain them.

            A leader knows how to delegate.  He distributes work and responsibility and gives all the help needed to see that the work is accomplished.

            A leader is a good listener.  He listens to what others have to say.

            A leader recognizes the importance of every member.  He knows that a congregation functions only as well as those who make the congregation up.

            A leader is a man of prayer.

WHY BE A LEADER?

            Not to give orders.  Not to be a dictator.  Not because no one else wants the job.  Not for personal gain.  Not to satisfy his ego.  Not out of selfishness, and certainly not if he isn’t ready or prepared.

            Strive to be a leader in the church because the cause of Christ needs good leaders.  The work is far too important to be left to chance.  Strive to be a leader because the lost are waiting for help.  Be a leader because if we have the ability to lead, God expects us to use it.  Strive to be a leader because the times in which we live demand that we all do the best we can in the Lord’s work.

THE KIND OF LEADERS GOD WANTS

            God wants leaders to be able people.  I think of 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.”

            God wants leaders who fear Him, in the sense of reverence and respect.  “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

            God wants leaders who are men of truth.  Proverbs 23:23, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”  John 8:31-32, “If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

            God wants leaders who are available and ready to give personal help to those who need it.  “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls,  as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

             The Lord’s church stands in constant need of good elders.  Faithful men must be preparing themselves to meet all of the qualifications, including desiring the work.  There is often talk of a preacher shortage, and there is a tremendous shortage of good, faithful gospel preachers, but I believe that there is an equal shortage of good, faithful elders in the Lord’s church.

                                                Greg Litmer, and material gleaned from here, there, and yonder.