BIBLE
STUDIES ON SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
A Study Outline by
Ven Dr I. U. Ibeme
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CONTENTS:
a.
Nature Of Spiritual Leadership
b.
The Distinctions Of Christian
Spiritual Leadership
c.
Qualifications For Spiritual
Leadership
d.
Responsibilities Of Spiritual
Leadership
e.
Method And Emphasis Of Spiritual
Leadership
f.
Aim Of Spiritual Leadership
g.
Pattern For Leadership
Spirituality
h.
Pattern
For Leadership Humility
i. Problems Of Spiritual Leadership
j.
Symbols Of Spiritual Leadership
k.
Roots Of (And Necessity For) Spiritual Leadership
A. NATURE OF SPIRITUAL
LEADERSHIP
Spiritual leadership is not
commandant leadership but servant leadership not taxing leadership
but shepherd leadership. Spiritual
leadership does not dictate but motivates by example; not monarchial but
collegial. Spiritual leadership is not
by ingenuity but by sincerity. Matt
20:25-28; John 13: 12-17; 1Cor 9:19; 2Cor 4:1-5; Act 15:6,22;
1Pet 5:1-4; 1Thes 2:7-12.
Spiritual
leadership derives from the Scripture and from Christ and directs toward Christ.
It must be done in the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 2: 1-7); to
the glory of God (
Spiritual Leaders must not only
possess spiritual knowledge, character and power but social qualities too. (1Tim 3:1-7). The Spiritual Leader
does not LEAD as HEAD but serves and
tends as HELP.
The Spiritual
Leader is not self-centred but God-centred, not ideology-based but Word-based; he/she is not
confident in self or in people but in God; he/she is in covenant with God and so must be accountable to
God and sincere with the God's Church (1Cor 4:1ff; 2Cor 2:17):
Ø
His/her decisions are not his/her own but God’s will;
Ø
His/her delight is not to be obeyed but to obey God;
Ø
His/her motivation is not ambition but devotion (love of God);
Ø
His/her method is not his/her devices but God’s direction;
Ø
His/her appointment is not by human desire but by the Spirit’s delight;
Ø
His/her vision is not personal dreams but Christ’s mission and agenda.
For Christians “spirituality” means Christ-centeredness. Leadership is spiritual when it derives its
methods from Christ, its drive from Christ, its goals from Christ and directs
its focus on Christ. For us when
leadership begins and ends in Christ, it is spiritual. Christian Spiritual
Leadership:
·
Depends on Christ’s ‘gracious power’
(the power of the Holy Spirit);
·
Imitates the example of Christ;
·
Implements the teaching of Christ;
·
Obeys the command of Christ;
·
Pursues the goal of Christ.
This
Christly leadership derived from Christ, edifies and directs the saints to full
Christliness. Christian leadership is service
rendered to help people everywhere become more like Jesus. According to Dr Henry Blackaby: “The responsibility of Christian leaders is
to find out what God is doing and then to move people into His agenda. We’re not to use human wisdom to do divine
work”.
B. THE DISTINCTIONS OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL
LEADERSHIP
Christ’s teaching on spiritual
leadership is servant-hood not lordship (Matt 20:25-28; Mk 10:42-45). The
leader must be the servant of all and the slave of Christ. Christ’s
demonstration of Spiritual leadership is feet-washing (John 13:13-17). Christ’s success derives from His humility
(Phil 2:5-15).
There are different identifiable
styles and ramifications of leadership in the world today; these may be based
on level of decision making, power of influence, or scheme for accomplishment:
1. Pontificating leadership style:
By commanding, demanding and dictating –autocratic or despotic.
2. Participatory leadership style:
By harnessing stakeholders’ consensus – democratic.
3. Permissive leadership style: By
laissez-faire or devolution.
4. Personality leadership style: By
personal disposition and personal charm – social charismatic.
5. Power leadership style: By
special ability and extraordinary gift – spiritual charismatic.
6. Procedure leadership style: By
legislations, formalities and rules – bureaucratic.
7. Pioneering leadership style: By innovating new activities, visions and experiments –
transformational.
8. Perquisite leadership style: By
self-inducement and self-benefit.
9. Partisan leadership style: By
majority sway or divide and rule.
10. Propaganda leadership style: By
hype and cant.
All the above and such leadership
styles may serve worldly purposes and fit into business, social and political
organizations as well as government departments and “para-statals”.
These “humanocratic” methods are often problematic
and even dangerous for the Theocratic agenda of Christ’s Church. Christ’s
Kingdom is not of this world. (John
18:36).
11. Pastoral leadership style: By shepherding or serving through
self-giving compassion – which involves: (Jn
10:11-16; 21:15-17; Act 20:28; 1Pet 5:1-4)
- Patterning (example),
- Piloting (guidance),
- Praying (intercession),
- Palliating (tending),
- Preaching (feeding),
- Protecting (defending),
- Persuading (conviction),
- Providing (meeting needs),
- Price-paying (sacrificial).
Spiritual
leadership should be pastoral in style and divine in agenda. The Church should
avoid all “humanocracies” and hold unto Christ’s
pattern of leadership for accomplishing the purpose of Christ.
Spiritual
leadership as a servant-shepherding leadership style, helping people towards
God is:
Not
by Compulsion but
by Persuasion 1Cor 9:19;
Not
by Domination and derivation but by Service and sacrifice Matt 20:25-28;
Not
by Receiving “ “
Giving Acts 20:33-35;
Not
by Devouring “ “
Shepherding Acts 20:28-31;
Not
by Commanding “ “
Motivating 1Thes 2:7-12;
Not
by Dictating as Potentates “ “
Demonstrating as Patterns 1Pet 5:1-6;
Not
by Exertion “ “
Example 1Cor 4:16; 11:1;
Not
by Harassing “ “
Tending John 21:15-17;
Not
by Innovations and trends “
“ The Word and the Spirit 1Cor
2:1-7;
Not
by Cleverness and intrigue “ “
Sincerity 2Cor 4:1-5;
Not
by Pride “ “
Humility Phil 2:5-11;
Not
by Centralization “ “
Reproduction and Delegation 2Tim 2:1-2;
Not
Monarchial – sole authority “ Collegial – shared service Acts 15:6, 22.
Spiritual leadership that is of
Christ must be done in the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 2:1-7) not
in the intrigues of the world; to the glory of God (
C. QUALIFICATIONS FOR SPIRITUAL
LEADERSHIP
1.
Of
good report (Acts 6:3: 1Tim 3:1-4,7)
2.
Full of wisdom (Acts 6:3: 1Tim
3:2-3) & Spiritual Gifts
3.
Full of the Holy Spirit Acts 6: 3,8:
Tit 1:8) & Spiritual Character
4.
Devoted to the study of the Word
(Acts 6:4; Tit 1:9; 2Tim 4:13) - Spiritual Knowledge
5.
Devoted to prayer (Acts 6:4)
6.
Proved over time (Tit 3:10; 1Tim
3:6) – Spiritually, Mentally, Socially, Morally.
7.
Time conscious (Eph 5:15, 16).
8.
Good knowledge of the Faith (2Tim
2:15)
9.
Wholehearted acceptance of the Faith
(2Cor 4:2, 13)
10.
Practical demonstration of the Faith
(1Pet 5:3)
- We cannot give what we do not have;
- We cannot motivate others into what we do not strongly
believe (2Tim 2:6)
11.
A heart that cares for souls and
ready to supply whatever is lacking (1Thes 3:10; 1Pet 5:2).
In
Summary
-
Spiritual Gift/Ability
-
Spiritual Fruit/Character
-
Spiritual Agenda/Zeal
-
Social Quality/Reputation
-
Sound Knowledge of the Word
-
Concern for others’ needs
-
Vision for perfection of the saints
D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF SPIRITUAL
LEADERSHIP
a) Commitment
to the Lord (2Cor 5:9-10; 1Cor 4:1-4)
b) Commitment
to the Word (2Tim 1:13; Josh 1:8; 2Tim 3:16; 4:5)
c) Commitment
to the Ministry (2Cor 4:1-4;
d) Commitment
to the Flock (Acts 20: 26-31).
E. METHOD AND EMPHASIS OF
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
Spiritual leadership is demanding (
Basic principles of leadership in the
Church include:
a) Exemplary
life of faith and holiness (1Tim 4: 12)
b) Sound
(balanced and correct) teaching of the gospel mystery on regular basis (1Tim
4:6-13; 5:17; 2Tim 1:13; Tit 2:1);
c) Emphasis
on the sufficiency of Christ (
d) Emphasis
on obedience to Christ (1John 2:3-6)
e) Encouraging
Communal relationship and mutual help (Heb 10:25; Gal. 6:1,2).
f) Encouraging
personal Bible Study and prayers (1Pet 2:2; Eph 6: 18).
g) Demonstration
of compassion through –
-
Communication (sending of letters
and literature)
-
Visitation (Phil 2:19; Rom 15:29)
-
Intercession (Eph 1:17-23; 3:13-21;
Phil 1: 3-11; Col. 1:9-14).
h) Ensuring
discipline and orderliness in doing Christ’s agenda (1Tim 5:20; Tit 1:13; 2Cor
13:2)
F.
AIM
OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
a) Commitment
to divine agenda as set forth in the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20; Mk
16:15-16).
The Great Commission is to Preach, Minister and Teach so
that all people will Practice
Christ’s command.
b)
Help others become mature in Christ
(
c)
Produce more labourers
of our kind and equip them for their ministry (2Tim 2:2; Eph 4:11-12).
d)
Equip believers against wolves and
falsehood (Acts 20: 29-30;
e)
Neither pursue selfish interests and
desires, nor give personal interpretations of Scripture (1Cor 10:33; 2Co 4:2;
Phil 2:3-4).
f)
Consistency in pushing towards the goal of being perfect in pleasing God
like Christ, in order to win the prize/crown
of being raised to reign with Christ (Gal 4:19; Phil 3:11-14; Col 1:27-29).
g)
Resolve conflicts without struggle
but with prayerful endurance, selfless humility (meekness), self-discipline and
wisdom, knowing that the Church is not yours but the Lord’s (Num 12; Num 16;
1Kin 3:16-28; 1Cor 4:10).
h)
Sincerity and clear conscience
without ulterior motives, before God and before people (2Cor 4:1-2; 6:4; 8:21;
Rom 14:8; 1Thes 2:5-10).
i)
Ministering according to the
Scriptures (Lk 24:27; 1Cor15:3-4; 2Pet 3:2) and
serving in a way acceptable/pleasing to God (Rom12:1-2; Eph 5:10).
j)
Accountability to God spiritually
(1Cor 4:1-4; 2Cor 4:2) with transparency to God’s people physically/materially
(2Kin 12:6-16; 2Chr 31:11-19; Neh 13:13; 2Cor
8:18-21).
G. PATTERN FOR LEADERSHIP SPIRITUALITY
(Acts 20: 18-36)
-
Serve the Lord with humility of
a bondservant v. 19;
-
Hold back nothing that is helpful
v.20;
-
Teach in public and from house to
house v. 20;
-
Lead and testify without
discrimination v. 21;
-
Be ready to die for the ministry
v.24;
-
Determine to testify the Gospel and
accomplish Christ mission v.24;
-
Make known the whole counsel of God
v.27;
-
Take heed to yourself v.28;
-
Oversee and shepherd Christ’s flock
v.28;
-
Watch and warn against false
teachers v.29-31;
-
Toil day and night v.31;
-
Intercede for all v.32;
-
Eschew covetousness but be content
with your earning v.33-34
-
Give support for the weak v.35;
-
Pray with all v.36.
H. PATTERN FOR LEADERSHIP HUMILITY (Phil 2:5-11)
-
Selfless humility as in the mind of
Christ v.4-5, 8;
-
Not grasping one’s
equalities/dignities v.6
-
Emptying oneself of one’s reputation
v.7;
-
Voluntarily become like a servant
v.7;
-
Humbling oneself before men v.8;
-
Obeying God to the uttermost v.8;
-
Leaving one’s exaltation in God’s
hand v.9-11.
I.
PROBLEMS OF SPIRITUAL
LEADERSHIP
a) Time
and energy consuming (2Cor 11:28;
b) Incidence
of poor response because of little faith, carnality, dullness of hearing, and
backsliding (Matt 16:7-9; Heb 5:12-14 and 10:26; 1Cor 3:1-4).
c) Inevitability
of murmurings because of opposition and rejection (Num 12, and 16; 2Tim 1:15
and 3:8-9; Tit 1:10-16)
d) Tendency
to sensuality, self-will, pride, domination-struggle and greed (Lk 22:24; 2Pet 2:3, 10; 1Tim 3: 3, 6), e.g. for the W’s: wine, women, wealth; or the F’s:
fun, affluence, fame, influence; or the P’s: pleasure, power, popularity,
prosperity, perpetuity.
e) Danger
of losing focus, teaching wrong doctrine and using unbiblical methods to
accomplish ends (1Tim 4: 3-6; Gal 1:6-9; 2Pet 2:1-3).
f) Loneliness and neglect of the Leader by
the led/followership (Phil 4:15; 2Tim 4:11).
g) Divisions,
tensions, quarrels, controversies and conflicts among the membership (Acts 6:1;
1Cor 1:11-13)
We need dedication, wisdom, knowledge of
the Word, patience, faith and love in the power of the Holy Spirit for ministry
(2Tim 3:10ff).
J.
SYMBOLS
OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
The
total meaning of spiritual leadership could be drawn from the various terms
used in the Bible to describe or refer to leaders in the Church. NOTE that the usage of these terms in the
Bible is not exactly the same as in the Church today, because of adaptations.
a)
Shepherd or Pastor – one who feeds
(edifies, guards, directs and teaches) the flock “with the WORD of grace and
TRUTH in love” after the example of Christ (Acts 20:28, 32; 1Pet 5: 1-3).
b) Elder
or Presbyter/”Priest” – adept or custodian of the mystery of Christ who
presides over the Church for
worship, apostolic teaching and fellowship (Acts 15:2-6; Tit 1:5-9; Jas 5:14;
1Pet 5:1; “Rom 15:16; 1Cor 9:13f”).
c) Overseer
or Bishop – ordinary who supervises
or superintends the Church to ensure
things are done properly according to sound doctrine
and divine agenda (Acts 1:20; 20:28; 1Tim 3:2).
d) Servant
or Deacon/Deaconess – one who (as a
waiter) dishes out the mysteries of
God and ministers according to the material
and moral needs of all the members of the Church (Rom 16:1f; 1Tim 3:8ff).
e) Ambassador
or Vicar – one who represents Christ to others (2Cor 5:20).
f)
House-manager or Steward – one who
works under Christ to manage the
Church and guard the Truth of the
gospel entrusted to them (1Cor 4: 1b-4).
g) Parent
(Father and Mother) – one who gives
birth to, nurtures and mentors, shows affection and concern for the welfare of
the family of God (Gal 4:18-20; 1Thes 2:7-12; 1Cor 4:14-17).
h) Ruler
or Presider/Leader (Rom 12:8; 1Tim 3:5; 5:17; 1Thes
5:12-13; Heb 13:7, 17, 24) one who guides and moderates in spiritualities. Usually ordained Presbyters (1Tim 5:17).
i)
Administrator or Director/Decider
(1Cor 12:28) one who governs (controls and accounts for) temporalities for the Church. Usually
elected Deacons/Deaconesses (1Cor
16:1-4).
j)
Helper or Assistant (1Cor 12:28).
Usually co-opted or volunteer assistants
who helped the Church officials to
carry out their functions and offices (2Tim 4:11; Act 20:4, 34; 2Tim 4:11).
k) Angelos
or Message-bringer/Spirit-Herald (Rev 1:20; 2:1, 8; 14:6; 1Cor 2:1;
9:14; 1Tim 2:7; 2Tim 1:11). Expected of Pastoral teachers and oracular
preachers of God’s Word (1Pet 4:11).
l)
Attendant or Under-rower –
subordinate officer who acts under directives given by one’s
K. ROOTS OF (AND NECESSITY FOR)
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
1.
Spiritual Leadership arose NOT for our union with Christ which He works by His
Spirit, but out of the need for the saints to assemble habitually for physical community (Acts 2:41-47) for:
- Eucharistic breaking of bread;
- Discipleship teaching of the Word;
- Prayer with one accord;
- Apostolic fellowship (Word, Prayer and
Eucharist) and
- Communal sharing of material resources
(serving tables and having goods in common).
2. Spiritual
Leadership also arose from the need for the spreading ecclesia of the saints to
be coordinated harmoniously as communities
through:
◘ Consulting together for counsel; (Acts
15:1-21)
◘ Circuitry and circular oversight; (Acts 15:
22-33)
◘ Ordering of the assemblies locally; (Acts 6:
1-7)
◘ Cooperation of assemblies regionally and
generally (both nationally and universally).
3. Spiritual
Leadership should derive from the examples
left by:
◘ Moses with the Aaronic
Priests, Levitical staff and the “scope-hierarchy” of
Tribal Heads and Rulers (overseeing
Tens, Fifties, Hundreds and Thousands); (Exd
18:13-26; Num 3:5-13; Deut 17:8-12).
◘ Ezra the Magistrate and Teacher of the Law
(Ezra 7:10; Neh 8:1ff) and his succeeding
Scribe-Rabbis (Teacher-Presiders) of the Synagogues
and communities (Ezra 7:25) with whom Christ was identified as Rabbi (John
1:38, 49; 3:26). Note Matt 23:8; 2Cor 1:24.
◘ Jesus and His college of twelve Apostles
until the Pentecost: (Mk 3:13-19; Acts 1:21ff)
◘ Apostles and their delegated Helpers who
deputized for them in
distant regions (like
Titus and Timothy 2Cor 8:22f; Phil 2:19-22; Tit 1:5), itinerant Prophets/Prophetesses and Evangelists (Acts
11:27; 15:32; 21:8-10).
◘ Apostolically ordained (stipendiary)
Elders/Bishops (Acts 14:23; Tit 1:5ff; 1Tim 5:17f; 1Cor 9:11ff; Gal 6:6),
and locally elected Deacons/Deaconesses
(Acts 6:3; Rom 16:1f; 1Cor 16:3; 2Cor 8:19, 23b).
NOTE:
Before the Pentecost, the
Apostles recruited into the Apostolate (Acts 1:20ff). Thereafter, they
recruited (and trained) Elder-Bishops into the pastorate Presbytery (Act
14:23; 20:17-38; 1Tim 4:14; 2Tim 2:2; Tit 1:5), and identified with them (Acts
1:20; 15:2ff; 1Pet 5:1-4; 2John 1:1) as their fellows and successors in the custody
of the Word and oversight in Church Worship Services – for fellowship,
ordinances and prayers (1Tim 4:13; 5:17; 2Tim 2:2; Jas 5:14). Notice
that neither Christ nor the Holy Spirit seem to have pressured the Apostles to
institute a uniform or fixed form of leadership structure in the early Church,
yet we can identify clearly emergent, adapted trends. Again
much of what is handled by church administration today (like projects, assets,
equipments and investments) was taken care of as patronage offered by
the wealthy hosts of the apostolic house-churches (Rom 16:3-5; 1Cor 16:19; Col 4:15).
4. Two areas of
responsibility emerge locally:
◘ First, that of oracular dispensation of the
revealed SPIRITUAL mysteries of Christ by those ministerially ordained as
Presbyters/Presiders/“Priests”: (for
spiritual-care and guidance Acts
20:17, 26-28; 1Cor 4:1f). The ordained ministry is trained and entrusted with the stewardship and guardianship of the spiritual
mysteries of Christ, to be adeptly and adequately ministered through the
Word, prayers and ordinances, to edify
and equip the Saints for useful ministry.(i.e. Pastors).
◘ Second, that of administrative management of the common
MATERIAL resources of the Saints by those congregationally elected as
Deacons/Deaconesses/”Directors”: (for social-care and order Acts 6:2-4; 1Cor 16:3; 2Cor 8:19-24). The elected
ministry is entrusted with the stewardship and guardianship of the material
resources/moral concerns of the Church, to be orderly and judiciously
administered, to succour
the Saints and meet their social needs. (i.e.
Council).
5. Two
areas of responsibility emerge itinerantly:
◘ Oversight circuit ministry (i.e.
regional Episcopacy) superintending several churches and ordaining mature,
trained and gifted prophets, teachers and other charismatics
into the Pastoral Presbytery to “pastor-teach” each local church for spiritual
growth 2Tim 2:2; Phil 2:19-22; Tit 1:5;
◘ Charismatic mobile, revival
ministry by Prophets/Prophetesses, Evangelist and the like, from church to
church. (e.g. Agabus, Philip, Judas and Silas: Acts 8:5ff; 11:27f; 15:32;
21:8-10).
Any true leadership at any level in the
Church is Spiritual leadership and EVERY Christian is involved with one form of
leadership or the other to varying extents. Christian leadership is bond-service to Christ, and under Christ to
accomplish the saving mission of Christ. This is in four areas of the Apostolic
Tradition 2Thes 2:15; 3:6; 1Cor 11:2
(Grk=Paradosis):
(1) Preaching
to proclaim Matt 10:7; 11:1;
Mk 16:15; Act 10:42 (Grk=Kerygma) the converting/saving Gospel (by ALL Believers in word and deed);
(2) Ministering
the Sacraments Lk 8:10; 1Tim 3:16; Rev 1:20 (Grk=Musterion)
instituted by Christ and ordinances Rom 13:2; Heb 9:1 (Grk=Diatage or Dikaioma)
of the Church (by Officially Constituted
presbyters and deacons & Charismatic
prophets and evangelists);
(3) Teaching sound doctrine 2Tim 4:2; 2John 1:9-10 (Grk=Didache) and instruction on the mysteries of
Christ (by Official and Charismatic Pastoral Teachers);
(4) Organizing
for good conduct Matt 16:27;
1Tim 4:12; 1Pet 2:12; 3:16 (Grk=Praxis or Grk=Anastrophe) in accord with Christ’s commands (by Officials i.e. apostolically Ordained Prebyterate
& congregationally Elected
Diaconate with Co-opted or volunteer
Helpers).
Notice that these are all embodied in the
Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16), which is the mandate for the
whole Church. Christians are SERVANTS or MINISTERS in four senses:
-
Slave’s service (Greek= doulos Eph 6:5-6; 1Cor 6:20; 2Cor 4:5; 2Pet 1:1; Greek= duloo Rom 6:18, 20) of blood-bought binding servitude to
Christ as Master-Redeemer.
-
Subordinate service (Greek= hupereteo 1Cor 4:1; Acts 26:16) as an officer
under the directive of Christ as Captain.
-
Waiter’s service (Greek= diakoneo 2Cor
4:1; Gal 5:13;
-
Homage service (Greek= leitourgeo Lk 1:23; Acts 13:2; 2Cor 9:12; latreuo Lk
2:37; Phil 3:3) to honour/worship Christ as the
Exalted One.
Ven. Dr. I. U. Ibeme.
Last Updated November 14, 2008
by
Ven Dr I. U. Ibeme
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