Encouraging The Finest Leadership Skills For All Who Wish Them Articles | Leadership

When you are secure you can take risks and serve in ways which otherwise may cause you to wonder which people might think. To be released from the opinions of people, whose opinion do not really matter and count is a most uplifting and freeing experience.

Think of Jesus Christ how he was so free to speak and teach as God the Father led him and he says to you and me, “Follow Me”. Jesus was a Father Pleaser above everything else and on more than one occasion the Father expressed His feelings from heaven, saying, “This is my Son, Who I love; with him I am well pleased.”

When we move on to look at the life of the early Church and the reason for certain teaching being in the Bible we discover why it is there.

How did we receive all this teaching about what we call spiritual gifts? It was because of their misuse and abuse in the fellowship at Corinth, and Paul teaches us the proper use.

In Acts Chapter 18, in the New Testament, we see how this powerful man of God, Paul, became so intimately and intensely involved with the disciples at Corinth - after all they were his spiritual children.

When he first arrived at Corinth, Paul went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews and the Greeks, trying to persuade them that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah.

By all means be involved in any multi-faith gatherings which might arise, but with the aim of seeking to persuade them that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Saviour and Lord.

Paul knew his gift. His main gift we might say was preaching and testifying that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.

He also knew what it was to listen to God. Paul knew how to hear from God. We come across that in the book of Acts in more than one incident, but here it is in Acts Chapter 18 and verse 9. A man can do a lot and put up with a lot when he hears from God and when that proves to be real and not simply wishful thinking or make-believe.

On this particular occasion, it was the result of his being able to cope with rejection and suffering, and knowing what to do when rejected. When those in the Jewish synagogue rejected his speaking and teaching, he moved from the synagogue to a suitable teaching house next door.

Paul was gifted intellectually, having sat under the teaching of Professor Gamaliel, and he had the gift of humility – great humility. You will find that in Acts 20: 19 – “great humility and tears”. There are not many who can say that of themselves and have Almighty God agree!

Paul knew where he was going, and he could show others the value of going with him. That is essential in a leader.

In Acts Chapter 20, where Paul meets with the Ephesian elders he was sensitive to their needs. These men had received so much from this man over the years. They had been baptised in water and baptised in the Holy Spirit as a direct consequence of his teaching and ministry, and now he is meeting with them for the final time, in Miletus, in western Turkey. I have had the tremendous privilege of speaking there to other Pastors.

Although Paul was very much a strong and powerful leader, we know that he was an approachable man. He wasn’t touchy. He was not the type of man who would fly into a rage at the least little thing.

He was consistent, and people appreciate consistency.

He realised the importance of all the others on the team, because he knew that you cannot buy enthusiasm, loyalty and devotion.

He had authority, and he encouraged other pastors to exercise their authority, and he knew the dangers which face leaders. Nehemiah was to become aware of that too. As soon as blessing comes, danger appears. Over these past 35 years I have know that personally to be so very true.

A parent has to warn children about putting their hand on a hot stove. It is not your responsibility to make sure they enjoy hearing that cautionary warning, but hopefully, as they mature they will understand the reason.

But some people will never like hearing ‘NO’ regardless of what age they are!

Leaders can be dangerous people and leaders have to face various dangers at time. The New Testament leaders were not long in learning that.

We see this supremely in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. His ministry was challenging and radical, and one consequence was that men conspired to crucify him and get him out of the road, silencing once and for all.

They might have been successful in the conspiracy part, but God the Father raised him from the dead – an astounding fact which almost take for granted.

Never again will men be able to suppress and silence the voice of God, because as long as Jesus calls men and women to serve him, his voice will resound and his amazing grace and love will be received and embraced by many.

It is an offer to you now wherever you are reading this article.