What distinctive qualities are found in a mature leader?
What’s the attraction that draws people into a church? Is it an old-fashioned service, planned around formal routine, or is it a modern service with elements of spontaneity? What makes the difference? I believe it is not the style of the service, but what the preacher has to say.
Preaching is an important task, and as the preacher in your church, you’re a servant, and a servant’s job has definition to it. It has boundaries; there are certain tasks included in the role of a servant, and certain tasks that you’re excluded from doing. You’re giving yourself willingly to a prescribed task; doing it with a spirit of sacrifice, not by walking beneath your ability, but by doing exactly what you want to be doing. You are sacrificing “your way” for “God’s way.”
No matter what your specific role in your church, if you are a leader, you need to demonstrate three important qualities.
The first of these qualities is to have a “record of attainment” – a reputation for doing your job well.
A leader has a mission.
You have a plan. You’re going somewhere. There’s a reason for doing what you’re doing, and when anybody thinks about you, they think about a person with a plan. A person that’s got something to do. A person that does it well. A person that’s dedicated.
The second quality demonstrated by a leader is intellectual maturity. You believe in something, you stand for something, and you’re decisive, speaking in such a way that causes people to make choices. You make it so plain they can’t ignore you.
The third important quality of a leader is to demonstrate emotional maturity. If someone doesn’t follow through on a responsibility, or exhibits poor behavior, and you’re going to address it, you don’t need to be hostile, Walk in the Spirit. We see a picture of emotional maturity in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10:
“But we have this treasure (the Holy Spirit) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
As a leader you must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Demonstrate good leadership by having something to say, understanding sacrifice, having a record of attainment, and being intellectually and emotionally mature. Rejoice, giving thanksgiving to God that you’re His minister. Be enthusiastic with the joy of the Lord in your heart.
TAKE A STEP
Are you currently in a position of leadership? Are you demonstrating the qualities of leadership discussed in this devotional: A record of attainment (a reputation for doing your job well), intellectual maturity, and emotional maturity? In what area do you most need to improve? Ask God to give you the discernment to identify the ways in which you most need to change, and the discipline to make the necessary changes.
by Dr. Henry Brandt
Author, Teacher, Christian Counselor, Consulting Psychologist
This summary is from Dr. Brandt’s message The Marks of a Mature Leader.(audio)
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FURTHER READING
Building an Effective Team – this can apply to families, work, or volunteer groups.
9 Principles for Effective Leadership – What I’ve Learned
Leadership Tips
Measurable Goals
Accomplishing your Dreams