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Effective Leaders

What would you give for a dynamic group of trained, Biblical leaders in your local body? The cry of most local churches today is for effective leadership. But effective leaders do not usually just drop in on us. We pray for the Lord to send us leaders, and so often He has already placed the leadership that we need within the local body. However, the individuals that the Lord has already placed within the local body need to be developed and exposed to new methods. Oh I know what you are going to say, “who has the time to train and develop leaders. We are too busy doing the work that we need leaders to help us do.”

Please allow me to offer a few suggestions for effective leadership. First of all, an effective leader must understand the mission of the Church of God. The great commission has not changed since the moment that Jesus gave it to His church. Yet it would seem that some local bodies and their leadership might have lost their focus. A leader must understand that the mission of the Church of God is evangelism.

Second, the effective leader must think Biblically and strategically. The first idea and answer book that we must consult is the Word of the Lord. The Bible gives the outline for all local church operations and strategy. An effective leader understands that a local body without strategy and outlook for the future plans to fail. If you don’t have an idea of where you are going, you will not recognize the place when you get there.

Thirdly, effective leaders must be able to see the big picture, the whole plan, the entire forest. Effective leaders cannot have tunnel vision. Effective leaders must seek God until they are empowered with His foresight, insight, and hindsight.

Fourthly, effective leaders must take responsibility for their own actions and make themselves accountable to those over them in the Lord and the church that they serve. Effective leaders must be willing to face evaluation for their efforts and accomplishments as well as their lack of efforts or accomplishments. Today’s church expects more from their leaders than they did in the past. The days of carrying a title and doing nothing are coming to an end. The Lord is placing people within the local body that are talented, educated and well able to perform the task that they are given. Accountability is coming to the forefront at all levels of leadership.

Let me wrap this up with several one-liners.

Effective leaders must be people of character and spiritual authenticity.
Effective leaders must be reaching, caring and touchable.
Effective leaders must examine the health of the local body and take measures to insure the good health of the local body.
Effective leaders must have people skills and be able to assist in resolving conflicts.
Effective leaders must set the example of good stewardship.
Effective leaders must participate in worship.
Effective leaders will form a team concept and be a team player.

Still trying to develop effective leaders,

Steven L. Gilmer
North Carolina State Bishop

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