Dealing with Problems in Leadership

DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN LEADERSHIP:

       Many people and organisations do not understand the concept of leadership. The concepts they have about leadership are ungodly. For example:

 1. They think leadership is by election: They think that the election makes you a leader. So many people are elected by dubious means. Some are elected for wrong reasons which completely negate the fact that they are leaders whether in the church or in the community. So the process of election does not justify that the elected are leaders. (Acts1:15-26). 

   2. They also assume that being given a position makes one a leader: Many people have no positions yet they perform greatly and solve the crisis. (Acts 6:1-8).

3. They also assume that what it takes to be a leader is to have a title. How many title holders are failures today. The list is enormous. Even children know them.

 

     DUTIES OF A LEADER

       In this context, we want to see three distinct characteristics or duties of a leader.

They administer the church/ community or organization: 1Corinthians12:27-28, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

 Romans12:6-8, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

It is commonly believed that the pastor is the one who administers the church and this is wrong. God has raised people and given them gifts to administer the church even though they work hand in hand with the pastors (preachers). Like we see in the book of Acts, preachers and elders (leaders) working together not like we experience these days where pastors and elders are at logger heads because their roles are not defined. They see themselves as threats to each other.Acts 15: 6-20. If the church or community is dying, it is because the church is not investing in reproducing leaders. 

  

2-They ensure the progress of the gospel, community or organization: Acts13:1-4, Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 5:6-20,22-35.   

     Look at communities that have not improved over the years. Even organizations, the major reason for this is lack of leaders. Where there leaders, they will always pick up the challenge of preparing young preachers for the furtherance of the gospel. The present so called leaders are making the mistake of waiting for the young people to make decisions about becoming preachers. This we know is difficult because the present crops of young people in most cases feel immature and ill equipped to make definite decisions about leader. They certainly need the push of elderly ministers. In the face of the present difficulties and challenges that preachers of the gospel encounter, the young ones will prefer to take up other professions than becoming gospel preachers. Most gospel preachers seem to be poor people who have no financial future. Even when they retire, their retirement benefits are nothing to write home about. Most gospel preachers are also suffering under the heavy load and burden of taking the gospel to the hinterlands, sleeping in the open fields, preaching to Muslims, correcting ills in culture, etc with little or no equipment, yet they are leaders. The young generation is certainly threatened when it comes to submitting their lives to the gospel preachers. However, in Islam it is not so because men are raised up to simply follow their leaders who introduce them to leadership. Christian leaders therefore are the ones who can see or recognise potential leaders, invite/command them to leadership position. This must be done if the present dearth of gospel preachers will be remedied. So, for the gospel to advance the present Christian leaders must ensure they reproduce other leaders for gospel ministry. If not, may have to close down and hope for evangelism is dashed.

3-Christian leaders Solve Problems: Where there is leadership there is solution. The existence of problems is a sign that leadership is absent. The leadership role is synonymous to problem solving. Our society certainly has problems. Whether they are solved or not is determined by the presence of leaders. Acts15:6,12, “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider this matter. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Banabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the gentiles by them”. Also, the body of Jesus did not lack burial arrangement because Joseph of Arimathea who was a leader arranged for the burial. Matthew 27:57-60.

Culled from ‘DETHRONING THE GIANTS

 LIBERATING THE LAND’’by

 Dr Martins Atanda 

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