Leadership Training and Development for Young Leaders

LEADERSHIP TRAINING ORIENTATION COURSE A Young Leaders Boot Camp For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14

Spiritual Marines Marines overcome our natural fear of injury and death and fight for three chief reasons: First, we are well-trained and well-led. Second, we have convictions that will sustain us to the last sacrifice. Third, we fight for one another. FMFM 1-0 Leading Marines, p. 21

The World Hates You But You Have The Helper But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:26-27 The World Hates You If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19

LEADERS APPROVED BY GOD Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Calling in 1st& 2ndTimothy 1stTimothy 2nd Timothy 1:1 by divine command 1:12 by divine power & placement 2:7 by divine appointment 4:14 not to be ignored & associated gift involves participation of 5-Fold leaders 1:9 is holy & according to God s purpose 1:11, 12 by divine appointment & involves sufferings 4:5 destined to be fulfilled

Five Criteria for Every Leader 1. Calling (Acts 13:2) 2. Training (2 Tim. 2:15) 3. Affirmation of others (2 Tim. 1:18) 4. Fruit (Matt. 12:33) 5. Character (2 Tim. 3:1-13)

Distinguishing Features of Leadership Romans 12 (Congregational) Ephesians 4 (Governmental) Function Occasional Proportion to Faith Each person Gifts of grace Broad scope Station of ministry Settled A calling for life Some Specific giver (Christ) Specific scope

Leadership The Triple Combination 5-Fold Ministry Team Senior Leadership Responsibility Authority Accountability Calling Empowerment Liability 8

The Triangle of Leadership Leadership Building Block The Corporate Body of Christ Deacons Elders/5-Fold Leaders Jesus Christ 9

Why You Must Train To know, guard & teach Scriptural truth & righteousness To contend & defend the faith against false belief systems To continually grow and inspire others to grow in Godly character To equip others to strengthen and bring believers to maturity and to reflect Christ s image

Gods Promises God will do it! (1 Thes. 5:24) You can t get away! (Rom. 11:29) You will never fall! (2 Pet. 1:10) God didn t call you for your wisdom! (1 Cor. 1:26) All things will work for good! (Rom. 8:28)

THE EXAMPLE OF LEADERS Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Charges & Metaphors in 1st & 2nd Timothy 1. Wage the good warfare (1 Tim. 1:18-20) 2. Conduct yourself worthy of God s house (3:14-15) 3. Don t neglect your gift (4:11-16) 4. Observe these things without prejudice (5:21) 5. Guard what is committed to you (6:20-21) 1. Teacher = reproductive (2 Tim. 2:2) 2. Soldier = loyalty (2:3-4) 3. Athlete = discipline (2:5) 4. Farmer = hard worker (2:6-7) 5. Worker = diligence (2:15-19) 6. Vessel = purity (2:20-22) 7. Servant = submission (2:23-26)

The Good Behavior Connection A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Timothy 3:2 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 1 Timothy 2:9

Romans 6:17 that form of teaching 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1 & 1 Thess. 1:6 be imitators of me and us 2 Cor. 1:7 an example of all believers 2 Cor. 3:9 offer ourselves as a model for you Phil. 3:17 join in following my example 2 Thess. 3:7 know how you ought to follow our example Paul s Example Every leader should spiritually blend the principles of leadership from the lives of all the leaders in the Bible, particularly Jesus Christ and Paul, in their preparations for positions of responsibility in God s kingdom. (Damazio, p. 274)

The Corinthian Church Conflicts over Christian Liberty But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak. I Cor. 8:9

Conflicts over Christian Liberty in the Corinthian Church Christian Liberty OR 1. Knowledge balanced by love 2. Experience balanced by caution 3. Freedom balanced by responsibility 4. Authority balanced by discipline 1. Arrogance 2. Over-confidence 3. Insensitive to sin 4. Elitism

The Truth about Nurturing (Hebrews 12:5-12 1. Teaching and Instruction 2. Learning and Growing 3. Correction and Admonishment

MORAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEADERS This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober- minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 1 Timothy 3:1-2

Elder, Bishop, Overseer Acts 20:17 Acts 20:28 Titus 1:5 Titus 1:7 I Peter 5:1 I Peter 5:2 Presbuteros (pl.) Episkopos (pl.) Presbuteros (pl.) Episkopos (sg.) Presbuteros (pl.) Episkopos (pl.)

8 Major Areas of Character Development 1. Spiritual life 2. Personal life 3. Home life 4. Social life 5. Educational life 6. Ministerial life 7. Marital life 8. Financial life Paul s teaching to Timothy and Titus forms a powerful profile for testing a Christian s maturity level. A man of God does not suddenly appear. He is cultivated by the Holy Spirit in a slow process. (Damazio, p. 120)

Todays churches must not turn from the righteous requirements for an overseer set forth by God in the original revelation of the apostles. The church must continue to require from its leaders the highest standard of holiness, perseverance in faithfulness to God and His Word, and godly living. (Life in the Spirit Study Bible)

10 Truths about Moral Qualifications for Overseers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Restoration to leadership is not a given (1 Tim. 3:2, 7) Very important (1 Tim . 3:1) Specific qualifications 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9) Requires a desire confirmed (1 Tim. 3:1-10; 4:12) Testing by the church (1 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:12; Tit. 1:5-9) Character supersedes gifting (1 Tim. 3) Example of believers (1 Tim. 4:12, 15) Learning/Training in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7) Leadership in home/family (1 Tim. 3:2, 4-5; Tit. 1:6) Moral failings can disqualify (1 Tim. 3:8-12)

Leaders and Their Families This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. I Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV

I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. Psalms 75:4-7 The Promotion Issue Hebrew, rum to be high, exalted, basically represents the state of being on a higher plane or movement in an upward direction. Negatively = haughty

THE TRAINING OF LEADERS IN GODLINESS But reject profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

The Importance of Godly Character God s Way of Character Development Character 1. Tribulation 2. Perseverance 3. Character 4. Hope Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb. 1:3 Romans 5:3-5 James 1:2-4

Understanding Holiness and Godliness Word Meaning Key References Rom. 6:19,22; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:24; 1 Thess. 3:13; Heb. 12:10,14 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 6:3,5,6,11; 2 Tim. 3:15; Tit. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:3,6,7; 3:11 Holiness (hosiotes, hagiosune) Living up to the responsibilities of being a new creature in Christ Our reverence and faith as reflected in our obedience to Christ in all aspects of our lives. Make holy, set apart & consecrate our lives to God by the ongoing cleansing power of the Holy Spirit. Cleanliness, innocence, modesty that denotes a freedom from the dominion of sin and a true reflection of the new life in Christ. Godliness (eusebia) Sanctification (hagaismos) 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Thess. 4:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2 Pure/Purity (hagneia, hagnos) Matt. 5:8; Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 4:12; 5:2,22; Tit. 1:15; 1 Jn. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:22

Biblical Terms for Immorality Word Meaning Key References 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Thess. 4:3; Rev. 2:14, 20 Sexual Immorality (porneia) Sexual activity or play outside of marriage including touching intimate parts, premarital sex, cohabitation, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, & sex with animals. Sensuality (aselgeia) Disregard of self-control & an inclination toward indulging in or arousing sinful lust. Take advantage or deprive another of moral purity in order to satisfy one s self-centered desires. Sexual desire that if fulfilled would violate God s moral law and another person s purity. Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 1 Pet. 4:3; 2 Pet. 2:2,18 Exploitation (pleonektee) 1 Thess. 4:6; Eph. 4:19 Lust (epithumia) Matt. 5:28; Eph. 4:19,22; 1 Thess. 4:5;1 Pet 4:3; 2 Pet. 2:18

Two Doctrines Jesus Hates! Doctrine of Balaam Doctrine of Nicolaitans The counsel the prophet gave to King Balak to influence Israel to commit adultery with Moabite women. (Num. 22-25; 31:16; 2 Pet. 2:15- 22; Rev. 2:14-16) The teaching that Christians could freely practice immoral behavior because the law was no longer binding. (Rev. 2:6, 14-16)

The Aim of Godly Character Produce fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) Bear fruit 30, 60, & 100 fold (Matt. 13:23) Be true disciples (John 15:8) Operate effectively in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:31-13:3) Love Joy Peace Longsuffering Gentleness/kindness Goodness Faith/faithfulness Meekness/gentleness Temperance/self-control Galatians 5:22-23 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Gods Purpose for the Church God s purpose for the Church is to bring many sons to glory. For the Church to reach this goal, her leaders must lead the way. The leaders of the Church must be the first partakers of the glorious plan of God in maturing His sons. Generally, He must develop the character and personality of the Lord Jesus in the Church leaders before He can form it in His people at large. Many churches have emphasized the gift and power of a leader, far above his character development. This imbalance has caused many problems in the Church, including the backsliding of many leaders. Today, however, God is bringing us back to a balance between gift and character. The Lord is not concerned with a leader s gift and anointing only. He also cares deeply about a leader s lifestyle and character. He desires a balance between gift and character in every one of His true leaders. (Frank Damazio)

CASE STUDIES: THE DECISION MAKING OF LEADERS Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJ

The Battle of the 21st Century Biblical Worldview Postmodern Worldview No knowledge is certain; there is no absolute truth Truth is what an individual or group make it; what s true for one may not be true for another; those who claim to know truth are trying to control others. That s just your truth! Tolerance is highly valued It s okay. All religions are of equal value. Tolerance is highly valued it s okay. Absolute moral truth exists The Bible is accurate in all the principles it teaches Satan is a real being or force; not symbolic Cannot earn your way to heaven by trying to be good or do good works Jesus Christ lived a sinless life Moral relativism; everything is relative to one s own reality (subjective feelings, decisions) Pluralism; all religions lead to the same place God is all-knowing & all powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today

Vocabulary Actions (extinction, violence, fitness) Against (warfare, military service, apostolic hardship & danger) kathairesis (pulling down) demolish/destroy ochuro ma (strongholds) fortified castle logismos (arguments) computation, reasoning kathaireo - (casting down) lower/demolish aichmalo tizo - (bringing) lead away/make captive noe ma (thought) mental perception, evil purpose hetoimos (being ready) adjusted, prepared parakoe - (disobedience) inattention, hearing amiss

The Bottom Line for Leaders 1.What is your relationship with Christ? 2.How do you view Scripture? 3.What is your philosophy of life? 4.Do you have a moral compass? 5.How do you make important life decisions? 6.Are you willing to fight for your faith in Christ?

A Decision Making Model for Leaders Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 The Process 10:30 This man needs help. 10:31-32 No one wants to help him? He could die! 10:33 I believe I can help by bandaging his wounds and getting him to a place of safety. 10:35 I took him to the nearest lodge and paid for it. 10:36 I helped him and he lived. 1. Identify the problem 2. Define the problem 3. Explore strategies for solving it 4. Act. 5. Look at the effects

Postmodernism vs. The Word The Heinz Dilemma Postmodern Decision Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 1. A person needs help and may die without it 2. No one seems to want to help 3. Heinz can steal or find a Good Samaritan 4. Heinz steals the drug 5. No effects are indicated though some may be assumed 10:30 This man needs help. 10:31-32 No one wants to help him? He could die! 10:33 I believe I can help by bandaging his wounds and getting him to a place of safety. 10:35 I took him to the nearest lodge and paid for it. 10:36 I helped him and he lived.

Case Studies 1. Church discipline & doctrine 2. Removal of leaders 3. Repentance and Restoration 4. Spiritual authority & spiritual discernment 5. Credibility of the Christian witness Like parables Contain moral principles Test one s ability to make moral decisions consistent with God s word Provide excellent training in the ways of the Lord