Together We Build Part 3:

Covering: The R.O.L.E. of a Christian Leader

Intro: [Re]Defining Christian Leadership

I’m excited to reach the conclusion of our 3 part series, because I have the opportunity to talk about a subject that I’m passionate about: Leadership. Before I explain what leadership is, first allow me to tell you what it is not.

Leadership is NOT about merely holding a title or position. That’s authority, not leadership. It is not about telling others what they can and cannot do. It does not make you special or better than anyone else. In my personal assessment, true leadership is not about any of these things. Christian leadership, in particular, is not rooted in worldly notions of success, such as the love of money or power. Jesus Himself spoke against this when expressing the importance of serving others.

What Is Christian Leadership?

Before I give you my simplified definition, allow me to share how Bill Lawrence, president of Leader Formation International, at Bible.org, defines it:

“Leadership is the act of influencing/serving others out of Christ’s interests in their lives so they accomplish God’s purposes for and through them,” - B. Lawrence

So here’s my simplified definition, which should also explain why we are ending our sessions by discussing leadership:

“Christian leadership is when one reaches the maturity necessary to not only receive ministry, but has not matured to the place where they are compelled to give it” - D. Dean II

Ever since the Church emerged from persecution and obscurity, to acceptance in the Roman Empire it has, in my opinion, been slowing drifitng away from its original understanding of leadership. The ministry of the aposles was clear; their title is defined as “one [who has been] sent”; similarly, the ministry of a deacon was born from a clear purpose, a need to serve the in administration. The common factor is that leaders were called to serve others.

Matt 20: 25-28 “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.””

Phil 2:7-8 “but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”

It is my contention that every person listening to me now is a leader in some capacity. We are leaders in our homes, our businessess, our churches, and in our communities. Now it is time to embrace our call, to give God the glory in every area of our leadership.

I’d like to cover a few principles of leadership, using the analogy R.O.L.E.:

R- Resilient & Relying on God

O- Observent & Obedient

L- Loving

E- Effective

R- Resilient & Relying on God

“We’ve all encountered the know-it-all leader, the ‘submit-or-else’ type of leader,” according to writer Brent Rinehart at Crosswalk. But Proverbs 16:5 says the proud of heart are “an abomination” to God. Being arrogant does not help model or demonstrate Christ’s interests. Rather, it is in direct conflict with Christian leadership.

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.– Proverbs 16:18-19

If you are relying on yourself- your intellect, your ingenuity, your gifts, you plan…then you can be certain that all of your resources will run dry. True leaders tap into the neverending well spring of life that is God Himself!

O- Observent (watch as well as pray) & Obedient

A leader must be a follower first- of God’s Will.

“Is there anything more important in a leader than he or she seeking God’s direction?” Rinehart asked. “A good leader seeks the Lord, commits his way to the Lord and the Lord establishes the next steps.”

The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. …Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. …A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.– Proverbs 16:1, 3, 9

Obedience requires embracing correction as needed. Correcting others in the right way is important for all Christians. Many passages in Scripture speak to this principle, as the following examples illustrate:

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:13-14).

“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:23-26).

How can Christian leaders approach correcting others in the right way? Lawrence offers the following tips:

By understanding their temperaments

By respecting their concerns

By believing in their gifts

By supporting their dreams

By challenging their flaws

L- Loving (Love people without leading…can’t truly lead w/o loving…)

God is love (1 John 4:8) and “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). Expressing the power and influence of the love of God is difficult to overemphasize. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul famously wrote about the transformational nature of love and how it is greater than spiritual gifts like faith and hope. Jesus told His disciples that other people will know them by their love (John 13:35).

Love is central to Christianity and every Christian. Any Christian leader should be driven in his or her life by the love of God in anything that he or she does. In this light, may other people recognize the heart and motives of that leader.

E- Effective (Producing Fruit)

Jesus modeled self-development, according to Ron Edmondson, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Jesus often “constantly slipped away to spend time with God.” He did so in order to insure His effectiveness.

One of the most striking examples of this is when Jesus prayed in the garden at Gethsemane just before His arrest. Jesus knew “all things that would come upon Him” (John 18:4), including the painful flogging and crucifixion. This caused intense anguish and sorrow, which is evident from Luke’s account. Luke, who was a physician, was the only writer in the gospels to describe Jesus’ sweat as blood — referring to a rare condition called hematidrosis.

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.– Luke 22:41-44

Christian leaders can follow Jesus’ example of seeking God for insight into His will and for strength. Becoming more righteous is a lifelong process for all Christians, and leaders need to make time to grow spiritually.

Instead of misleading or exploiting people, good leaders motivate others.

In Nehemiah 2:17, “Nehemiah fearlessly motivated the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,” Grunlan wrote. “He laid out a vision, he shared a plan and he reassured God’s people that God was with them. When we are moving people for our benefit, we manipulate and exploit them. But when we call people to a higher purpose, we motivate them.”

Leaders are referred to as “coverings.” It is crucial to have a firm foundation; without it, nothing that is built will stand for long; it is important to have a solid structure, and to make sure it is maintained; but without a roof- a covering- everythnig in the house is exposed to the elements. Play your R.O.L.E.- protect your ministry, and all who serve in it!

6. Integrity

Good leaders practice and value integrity.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And they love him who speaks what is right.– Proverbs 16:13

“People don’t follow leaders who lack integrity,” Grunlan said. “Integrity involves actions as well as words. Now, I am not so much referring to things like not stealing as I am to hypocrisy. Integrity involves practicing what we preach, being consistent and dependable, doing what we say we will do and living in such a way that others will trust us.”

Discussion Questions

Is accountability important to you? In what ways can we hold each other accountable as leaders?

How do balance our responsibilities to our ministry, our families and to God himself?

How can we insure that other experience God’s love through us?

Do you think it is important to prepare for the next leader? Do you have a “succession plan” for your role?