MIN 510 – Leadership in Ministry

Leadership Journal

Assigned Reading:

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sander – read chapters 1 through 10.

Church Administration Handbook by Bruce Powers – read chapter 1 through 4.

The purpose of this journal is allow students to demonstrate their ability to evaluate and apply leadership concepts studied through assigned reading, lectures, class discussion, and personal experience.

Class began this term with a presentation by Dr. Robert Benne on the topic of “What It Means to Be a Christian College or University.” Dr. Benne was an entertaining speaker who has a strong mastery of view the relationship between the Christian faith and higher educations.  He stated that three ideals that must be constantly evaluated by the leadership of a Christian institution if they want to remain faithful and strong. Those three are: people, ethos, and vision. The institution’s leadership team must evaluate every decision through the lense of Scripture and by how it addresses these three ideals.

Lecture centered around two subjects: (1) the question of “Why Study Leadership” and (2) the ABC’s of Leadership.  Much time was devoted to a discussion about the implications of leadership presented in Dr. Benne’s presentation. Leadership quotes by politicians, military leaders, business leaders, and church leaders were compared and contrasted. Three leadership roles were defined: advocate, builder, and coach.

The assigned reading were polar opposites but very thought provoking. Bruce Power’s work was very academic but practical while Sander’s work was very pastoral and devotional. I believe that both are beneficial to a student, a lay leader, and a pastor.

Here are some of the quotes from the Church Administration Handbook:

The purpose of the church is to engage in activities consistently described in Scripture that increase the love of God, neighbor, and brother and sisters in Christ. These activities are often referred to as the functions, or tasks, of the church: worship, proclamation, education, ministry, and fellowship.

Reaching, teaching, and developing – The purpose of the church, ultimately, is to make disciples and lead them to live and serve under the lordship of Christ. (Eph. 4:11-16)

How does a Church measure success? A church is successful when members of the congregation are growing in faith as the body of Christ in all way unto him, and disciples are discovering, developing, and using their gifts in Christian service within the body, in the community, and in partnership with other believers around the world.

Our mission for this new age: Ministers must revisit their call to ministry, renew their commitment to servant leadership, and , together with their congregations, redream their visions of the kingdom and what it means to be a community of faith, a church, in the twenty-first century.

Leadership is about managing change and not about managing the status quo. A leader’s effectiveness has to do with how well he can manage change.

Church administration is ministry, not methods. It’s people, not paperwork. It’s human process, not inhumane policies. It’s management, not manipulation.

Organization begins with the nature and mission of the church, for it is biblical foundations that should always determine programs and ministries. There are five distinct characteristics of the New Testament Church: worship, proclamation, education, ministry, and fellowship. To support these five functions, we add a sixth that is implicit in Scripture and much needed in today’s church – leadership.

Administrator – remember your job is to coordinate and guide many areas of work rather than to immerse yourself in the details of one or two organizations. This requires serving as a primary leader in a few groups and as an adviser to many others.

Interpersonal relationships provide the bridges over which ministry moves.

Here are some of the quotes from Spiritual Leadership:

True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.

The real spiritual leader is focused on the service he can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office or holy title. We must aim to put more into life that we take out.

The Bible shows us that when God does find a person who is ready to lead, to commit to full discipleship, and take on responsibility for others, that person is used to the limit.

If the world is to hear the church’s voice today, leaders are needed who authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial.

Spiritual leadership requires superior spiritual power, which can never be generated by the self. There is no such this as a self-made spiritual leader.

Are leaders born or made? Surely, both. On the one hand, leadership is an “elusive and electric quality” that comes directly from God. On the other, leadership skills are distributed widely among every community, and should be cultivated and developed.

A presentation of insights on leadership from the life and ministry of Paul and Peter.

Jesus trained His disciples for their future roles. He taught by example and by precept; His teaching was done “on the road.” Jesus’ classrooms were the highways of life; His principles and values came across in the midst of daily experience. Jesus placed disciples into internships that enable them to learn through failure and success.

God prepares leaders with a specific place and task in mind. Training methods are adapted to the mission, and natural and spiritual gifts are given with clear purpose.

God gave these leaders gifts and talents that fit the mission to which they were called. What raised these men above their fellows was the degree to which they developed those gifts through devotion and discipline.

Spiritual leadership requires Spirit-filled people. Other qualities are important; to be Spirit-filled is indispensable.

A person can have a brilliant mind and possess artful administrative skill. But without spirituality he is incapable of giving truly spiritual leadership.

The main thought that I have meditated on this week is the similarities and difference between leadership material that is written for the church leader and the business leader. My observation for this week is that the means are very similar but the ends are very different. The “ends” of the business material is self and organization focused while the ministry material is God and others focused.

More to come next week . . .