It is no secret - to be an excellent ministry, you must have excellent leaders. God is pushing me to strive to raise up leaders of excellence here at theTURN! I thought I would spend a few days sharing about what characteristics a leader of excellence exhibits. As a leader in the church, you must always be aware of the fact that you are an example to believers in the Body of Christ and unbelievers in the world. TURN leaders are encouraged to develop Godly characteristics and strive to be leaders of excellence. Let it be said of you what was said of Daniel:
Daniel 6:1-4 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Strive to be a leader of excellence. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1: 9-10, And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. The J.B. Phillips Bible says, “I want you always to be able to discern what is the highest and best.” This should be the prayer and the desire of every TURN leader to develop characteristics of excellence and live a life that is pleasing to God.
1. A leader of excellence learns to correctly handle the Word of God.
II Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2. A leader of excellence does not indulge in godless chatter or gossip.
II Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out, without gossip a quarrel dies down.
The Bible says that gossip does three things:
§ Gossip separates close friends. It brings division, and as a leader, you must be an instrument of peace and unity.
§ Gossip betrays a confidence. When someone comes to you for prayer or confides in you, do not share it with others. A godly leader can be trusted.
§ Gossip stirs up quarrels. Leaders must be an example in this area and learn to control their tongues. When it comes to gossip don’t participate in it and don’t encourage it. Remember, we qualify for places in prayer with God. The Father looks for those He can trust.
3. A leader of excellence will cleanse their self constantly.
II Timothy 2: 20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Hebrews 12:1 (Amplified) Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (who have borne testimony to the Truth), let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.
You have a choice to be a vessel of silver and gold or a vessel of wood and clay. Cleanse your self from anything that displeases Jesus. Strip off and throw aside every unnecessary weight and sin. Check up on your thoughts, your words, your attitudes and your actions. If you continually cleanse yourself, you will be prepared to do anything God asks you to do.
4. A leader of excellence maintains a pure heart.
II Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed is the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Psalm 24: 3-4 (Amplified) --Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully.
To have a pure heart means you don’t have any false or deceitful motives. Live a life of integrity. Be a person of your word.
1 comment:
What a great teaching. Looking forward to the remaining points. I have always thought that leadership starts within oneself, that is to be a leader of your own life first before leading others. These verses confirm that point.
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