Message to Leadership

Message to Leaders

Jesus taught us to believe that it is not by the people’s words but by the fruit of their lives that we can tell who they have been spending time with. Time will usually show the fruit of the leader’s life.

Reference Matthew 7:15-20

Paul said that those who are in a submissive relationship to Christ are marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. Reference Galatians 5: 22, 23

The opposite of such fruit is seen in those who are more concerned about themselves than others. Such persons use people rather than love them. Their relationships are marked by a critical attitude, conflict, impatience, insensitivity, and rudeness, and selfishness, failure to control their mouths, their anger, and their sexual desires. Such evidence of someone’s spirit needs to be carefully listen to, regardless of his eloquence or ability to quote scripture.

With such fruit of the spirit mind, we are wise to ask the following questions about those we are relying on for leadership.

[1.] Are they mark by reverence and humility, or by brashness and arrogance?

2^nd Corinthians’ 10:18 for not he that commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. Darby’s Bible.

[2.] Are they gentle or demanding? 2^nd Timothy 2:24-26

24. But a Servant of our Lord ought not to fight, but to be humble toward every person, instructive and long-suffering, 25.That he may instruct with humility those who dispute against him. Perhaps God will give them repentance and they will know the truth, 26. And they will remember their souls and break loose from the trap of Satan by whom they were captured for his pleasure.

[3.] Do they themselves show respect for authorities [both friends and enemies], including the Lord, parents, government, and even Satan? 2^nd Peter 2:10-12

10. But especially those who go after the flesh and desire of defilement, and preach against authority, being insolent and proud, who do not tremble in the presence of dignitaries when they blaspheme; 11. Whereas The Angels who are greater than they in power and strength do not bring against them a judgment of blasphemy from THE LORD JEHOVAH; 12. But these, like dumb animals, are by nature for the knife and destruction, as they slander those things which they do not understand and by their corruption they will be destroyed.

Jude 8-10 8. In this likeness, these also lust in their dreams, who defile the flesh, reject Lordship and slander The Glory. 9. But Michael the Archangel, who, when he was speaking with The Devil about the body of Moses, did not speak to bring a slanderous judgment against him, but he said, “THE LORD JEHOVAH will rebuke you.” 10. But these things which they do not know, they slander, and those things which they desire naturally, like dumb animals, in them they are corrupted.

[4.] Do they show respect and love for other leaders?

1^st Corinthians 3:1-9

[5]. Do they promote personal discernment, growth, and maturity in their followers, or do they foster dependence and submission? Acts 17:11

11. For those Jews who were there were nobler than those Jews who were in Thessalonian, and they were hearing gladly from the word every day while they were distinguishing from Scripture whether these things were so.

Ephesians 4:11-16

11. And he gave some who are Apostles and some who are Prophets and some who are Evangelists and some who are Pastors and some who are Teachers, 12. For the perfecting of The Holy Ones, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of The Messiah, 13. Until we all shall be one entity in the faith and in the knowledge of The Son of God and one perfect man with the dimensions of the stature of the maturity of The Messiah, 14. Both shall we be children who are shaken and troubled for every wind of crafty teaching of the children of men, those who plot to seduce by their cunning. 15. But we have been firm in our love that all our affairs may increase in The Messiah, who is The Head, 16. And from him, the whole body constructed and joined in every joint, according to a gift given in measure to every member for his growth of the body, that his building may be completed in love.

[6.] Do they exploit their members financially?

1^st Peter 5:2 2.Shepherd the flock of God that follows you and give care spiritually, not by compulsion, but with pleasure, not by defiled profit, but with all your heart

2^nd Peter 2:3 3. And as you knew this first, that in the end of days, scoffers would come who scoff while they walk according to their own lusts.

[7.] Is there any evidence, of sexual faithfulness, or have they left themselves open to questions and rumors?

2^nd Peter 2:14

14. Having eyes full of adultery, and who can't cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing; World English Bible

14.Their eyes, full of adultery, never stop sinning; they entice unstable people. They have trained their hearts for greed, these cursed children! Net Bible

[8]. Do they lovingly and courageously tell the truth about sin, or do they only yell their group what they want to hear?

2^nd timothy 4:3, 4  

3.For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4.and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

[9.] Do they sacrifice their own interest for the well-being of their group, or are they carried like kings on the shoulders of their followers?

Philippians 2:3, 4

3. Doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 4. Each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

[10.] Do they draw the attention and allegiance of their followers to Jesus Christ, or do they focus attention on themselves?

Acts 20:28-31

28. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 29. For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30. Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31.Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears

3^rd John 9, 10

9. I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say. 10. Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.

[11.] Do they lead by throwing their weight around; or by information, encouragement, and example?

1^st Peter 5:1-4

1. I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. 2. Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; 3. Neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. 4. When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away.

[12] Are they willing to be viewed as brothers?

Matthew 23:8-12

8.But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. 9.And call no one your ‘father’ on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10.Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one teacher, the Christ. 11.The greatest among you will be your servant. 12.And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

[13.] Is their group loved and hated because of their personal faith and allegiance to Christ, or because of the teachings and interpretations peculiar to the founder?

1^st Timothy 1:3-7

3. As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings, 4. Nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith. 5. But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 6. Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion. 7. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.

[14.] Do they keep their members by love, example, and teaching, or by making them afraid to leave the group?

Galatians 2:11-21

[15.] Do they meet the qualifications of a spiritual overseer, or are they gifted men of questionable character?

1^st Timothy 3:1-7

1. This saying is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.” 2. The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and a able teacher,  3. Not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. 4. He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. 5. But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? 6. He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. 7. And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.

These questions address issues rooted not merely in a leaders words but in his or hers attitudes and actions. They help us see that the issue is not just doctrine, but the spirit and fruit of the leader.