If leadership were at tree, the roots AND the branches would be “taking someone from ___ to ___” or “taking someone out of ___ into ___.” Leadership is an action, not a position. The trunk of the tree is responsibility, and the fruit is results and more leaders. Elders primarily lead spiritually and deacons primarily serve, and both have specific qualifications. Still, ALL true leadership is rooted in responsibility and a desire to serve. We are all somehow called to be servant leaders.
Series: Authentic Faith: The Church
Speaker: John Pryor
Notes:
Leadership is always an action, not a position. Leaders take other people from…to… OR out of… into… Exodus 3:10,17; Matthew 15:12-14, Romans 6:16,22
Responsibility-based leadership is the only kind. Asserting authority for power, perks, or pawns is self-defeating, wrong, and not true leadership. It traps everyone involved. 3 John 1:9-11, Mark 10:45, Revelation 7:17
God provides leaders and leadership gifts. While the only perfect leader is Christ, God gifts specific people with the task and ability to lead others. Hebrews 2:10, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:1,12
All of us—including leaders—must submit and be lead. We submit to the Holy Spirit's leading, to each other, and to our leaders. 1 Corinthians 12:38, Ephesians 5:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Galatians 5:25, Hebrews 11-12 & 13:7,17
Elders and deacons lead and serve. Like a team of shepherds, they lead, care for, and protect. 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 4:14, 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9, James 5:14-15
Lord, I will…