Christian Leadership

The title of today’s message is, “Church Leadership.”

Elmer Towns asks a question. “What is the greatest need in today’s church?” He answers that question this way, “It is not more money, new buildings, bigger buildings, new workable methods, more workers or any of the other ‘things’ we throw at the church’s problems. The greatest need of the church is leadership… biblical leadership … effective leadership … spiritual leadership—” He goes on to say, “… the right type of leadership can solve the church’s problems. The right leader can raise the needed money, build the necessary buildings, recruit willing workers, attract eager followers, and discover new methods to get the job done.” He ends with this, “Success rises and falls on leadership.”

It’s important you know and understand, leaders come in many shapes and sizes, they can be male or female, and they can come in all ages. Additionally, there are many leadership styles and each has their place and time.

It’s important you know and understand, leaders come in all shapes and sizes, they can be male or female, and they can come in all ages. Additionally, there are many leadership styles, and each has their place and time.

It’s important a leader know what type of leader they are and in what areas they’re weak or need to improve. A good leader not only recognizes, they accept that no one is perfect, so if perfection is what you’re looking for, well you may as well accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, die and go on to heaven, because as long as you’re on this earth, perfection—doesn’t exists. Even if you’re in a room all by yourself, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So, not that there is one, but if you were to find what you think is the “perfect” church, as soon as you join it won’t be perfect any more.

Leaders have various traits or characteristics. We’re going to be talking about Christian leaders today, because after all we are talking to and about the leadership of Love Christian Center, and the first thing a leader must be, is saved. At the core of Christian leadership is salvation. How can you lead God’s people in God’s ways, when you don’t know God for yourself; when you don’t have a relationship with Him? You can’t.

It’s important a leader know what type of leader they are and in what areas they’re weak or need to improve. A good leader not only recognizes, they accept that no one is perfect, so if perfection is what you’re looking for, well you may as well accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, die and go on to heaven, because as long as you’re on this earth, perfection—doesn’t exists. Even if you’re in a room all by yourself, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So, not that there is one, but if you were to find what you think is the “perfect” church, as soon as you join it won’t be perfect anymore.

As I said there are many leadership styles and methods and each has its place and time

Leaders have various traits or characteristics. We’re going to be talking about Christian leaders today, because after all we are talking to and about the leadership of Love Christian Center, and the first thing a leader must be, is saved. At the core of Christian leadership is salvation. How can you lead God’s people in God’s ways, when you don’t know God for yourself, when you don’t have a relationship with Him? You can’t.

As a Christian leader, not only must you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you must make the decision to be a committed follower of Christ. So what does it mean to be a committed follower of Christ? Well, for the members and leaders of Love Christian Center it means this…you will support and carry out the mission, vision and goals of this branch of Zion.

While every church with it’s doors open in Jesus name, every church who claims Jesus as the head of the church has the mission to make, baptize and teach disciples, each has a more specific call. We are called to the unchurched, unsaved people of the Douglas County area and the specific mission of Love Christian Center is “Lifting up Jesus, winning souls for the Kingdom of God”.

As a Christian leader, not only must you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you must make the decision to be a committed follower of Christ. So what does it mean to be a committed follower of Christ? Well, for the members and leaders of Love Christian Center it means this…you will support and carry out the mission, vision and goals of this branch of Zion.

There are more than enough people out there who have either never accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior or don’t have a church home they are committed to supporting on a regular basis. In other words, showing up every Sunday unless you’re working, out of town, sick or unavoidably absent.

We carry out our mission by preaching Jesus, him crucified, buried, risen on the third day with all power in his hand, conquered death, hell and the grave and ascended back to heaven where he now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I’ll draw all men unto me.” Our job is to lift up Jesus, his job is to draw them in and that’s how we win souls for the Kingdom of God.

While every church with its doors open in Jesus name, every church who claims Jesus as the head of the church, has the mission to make, baptize and teach disciples, each has a more specific call. We are called to the unchurched, unsaved people of the Douglas County area and the specific mission of Love Christian Center is “Lifting up Jesus, winning souls for the Kingdom of God”.

There are more than enough people out there who have either never received salvation or don’t have a church home they are committed to supporting on a regular basis. In other words, showing up every Sunday unless you’re working, out of town, sick or unavoidably absent.

We see in Proverbs, where there is no vision, the people perish. The vision for Love Christian Center is this, to “Be a place where people come for enlightenment, encouragement and empowerment to advance and enhance the Kingdom of God.” When people come through those doors we want to

We carry out our mission by preaching Jesus, him crucified, buried, risen on the third day with all power in his hand, conquered death, hell and the grave and ascended back to heaven where he now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I’ll draw all men unto me.” Our job is to lift up Jesus, his job is to draw them in and that’s how we win souls for the Kingdom of God.

Enlighten them about what the Word of God says about them, their lives and how they are to live Christ-centered lives.

We see in Proverbs, where there is no vision, the people perish. The vision for Love Christian Center is this, to “Be a place where people come for enlightenment, encouragement and empowerment to advance and enhance the Kingdom of God.” When people come through those doors we want to

Encourage them to keep the Word of God in their heart that they might not sin against God. And...

Empower them to carry out the Word of God in their daily lives. We want you to know you can live a life that’s pleasing to God.

• Enlighten them about what the Word of God says about them, their lives and how they are to live Christ-centered lives.

When we do those three things, they can then begin to

• Encourage them to keep the Word of God in their heart that they might not sin against God. And...

• Empower them to carry out the Word of God in their daily lives. We want you to know you can live a life that’s pleasing to God.

Advance the Kingdom of God — move it forward, not staying stuck in the same situation, the same stuff, the same sin, the same bad relationship. We must strive for the Kingdom, which means it’s something we work for, it won’t always be easy, it won’t always be nice, but the reward will always be great. And the last part of the vision is to

Enhance the Kingdom of God. It’s God’s desire that none be lost, so with that being said, every soul we can snatch out of the hand of the enemy enhances the Kingdom of God.

• When we do those three things, they can then begin to

• Advance the Kingdom of God — move it forward, not staying stuck in the same situation, the same stuff, the same sin, the same bad relationship. We must strive for the Kingdom, which means it’s something we work for, it won’t always be easy, it won’t always be nice, but the reward will always be great. And the last part of the vision is to

That is the mission of Love Christian Center.

And then there goals we are striving for, we have three.

• Enhance the Kingdom of God. It’s God’s desire that none be lost, so with that being said, every soul we can snatch out of the hand of the enemy enhances the Kingdom of God.

To win lost souls for Christ through evangelism — our method this year is to invite 10 people per month to church. Perhaps you run into someone who is not in the Douglasville vicinity, can you lead them to Christ yourself. is called the Roman road to salvation and we have cards that explain it on the back. Keep those with you, they’re provided for you freely and our desire is that you freely give them away. Free; free, free; free, free. Another way you can evangelize is simply sharing the message on social media, go to my or Pastor Ed’s facebook live post and share the message, and share the YouTube link he emails you on your Twitter or Instagram accounts.

That is the mission of Love Christian Center.

¨To win lost souls for Christ through evangelism

1. To win lost souls for Christ through evangelism

To biblically educate Christians through sound Scriptural teaching. That teaching happens every Wed night at Bible study and Sunday morning in Sunday school.

And then there are goals we are striving for, we have three.

To equip Christians spiritually, physically and financially through comprehensive coaching. We have people in the church with certain gifts to help you, to coach you in spiritual matters, in physical matters meaning your health and in financial matters. While our goal is that you get to heaven, what we understand is you must live here on this earth until the Lord calls you home and while you’re here His desire is that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

To win lost souls for Christ through evangelism — our method this year is to invite 10 people per month to church. Perhaps you run into someone who is not in the Douglasville vicinity, can you lead them to Christ yourself. is called the Roman road to salvation and we have cards that explain it on the back. Keep those with you, they’re provided for you freely and our desire is that you freely give them away. Free; free, free; free, free. Another way you can evangelize is simply sharing the message on social media, go to my or Pastor Ed’s facebook live post and share the message, share the YouTube link he emails you on your Twitter or Instagram accounts.

To biblically educate Christians through sound Scriptural teaching. That teaching happens every Wed night at Bible study and Sunday morning in Sunday school.

We preach Jesus, but there’s a practical side to salvation. You gotta know how to get through some things, you gotta know how to fight, how to press your way through, how to pray, when to pray, and when to stand still and see the glory of the Lord working on your behalf. That’s what we talk about in Bible study and Sunday school.

To equip Christians spiritually, physically and financially through comprehensive coaching. We have people in the church with certain gifts to help you, to coach you in spiritual matters, in physical matters meaning your health and in financial matters. While our goal is that you get to heaven, what we understand is you must live here on this earth until the Lord calls you home, and while you’re here His desire is that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

The next area I’m going to talk about are the core values of Love Christian Center. As members and leaders it’s important to know what our core values are. First what is a core value, it’s what unites us as individuals and defines the efforts and goals we work toward. It’s what makes us a united body of believers working toward the same thing.

We preach Jesus, but there’s a practical side to salvation. You gotta know how to get through some things, you gotta know how to fight, how to press your way through, how to pray, when to pray, and when to stand still and see the glory of the Lord working on your behalf. That’s what we talk about in Bible study and Sunday school.

We have five core values

The next area I’m going to talk about are the core values of Love Christian Center. As members and leaders, it’s important to know what our core values are. First what is a core value, it’s what unites us as individuals and defines the efforts and goals we work toward. It’s what makes us a united body of believers working toward the same thing.

Bible Knowledge – Become familiar with the truth of Scripture through regular attendance at Worship Service, Sunday School and Bible Study. — “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Prayer – Communicate with God daily. — “Pray without ceasing.” If you don’t know how to pray join us Thu mornings for Intercessory prayer from 8 - 9 a.m. That’s just to get you started as you grow in your relationship with God.

We have five core values

Bible Knowledge – Become familiar with the truth of Scripture through regular attendance at Worship Service, Sunday School and Bible Study. — “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Excellence – Maintain the highest ministry standards that bring glory to God. — “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” That means doing things with excellence. God gave us his one and only, His very best and we should do no less.

Worship – Reverence God for who He is. — “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Worship is strictly about who God is not what He’s done.

Prayer – Communicate with God daily. — “Pray without ceasing.” If you don’t know how to pray join us Thu mornings for Intercessory prayer from 8 - 9 a.m. That’s just to get you started as you grow in your relationship with God.

Encouragement – Give hope to people who need hope. — “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints”. We want your heart to be flooded with light so you can understand the confident hope God has given those he called. We want you to know you are His holy people, that you are God’s rich and glorious inheritance.

Excellence – Maintain the highest ministry standards that bring glory to God. — “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” That means doing things with excellence. God gave us his one and only, His very best and we should do no less.

So these are the foundations of Love Christian Center. Now, as leaders here’s what you need to not only know, but here’s what you need to do.

We already know our leaders must be saved, but we must also lead by example. This is not a, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say do” situation. Our lives should emulate the love of Christ starting at home and spreading abroad, meaning into the church. We must be able to say like our Scripture text says, follow me, as I follow Christ.

Follow me where?

Follow me to church, every Sunday

This is where you get your marching orders for the week.

Where you hear what thus sayeth the Lord through the vessel of the Lord.

your encouragement for the week. Where you give and receive encouragement from your brothers and sisters in Christ. Where you

Where you give to and receive encouragement from your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Where you utilize the gifts God has given you for the edification of the saints

Where you bring your tithe and offering understanding that God ask a question in “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Verse 10 goes on to say, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse (the church), so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” And what is the tithe, it’s one tenth of your income. God provides for you and all he ask is 10% in return and he wants you to do it cheerfully and voluntarily. Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us to render unto to Caesar what is Caesar’s, today Caesar is the federal and state government to whom we pay income taxes and they don’t let you decide if you want to pay it, they take their’s off the top. Matthew, Mark and Luke continue saying, “… and to God what is God’s”. That would be the tithe. Now some might say, “I can’t afford to tithe.” To which I would challenge you and say, “You can’t afford not to”. Give God His first and watch Him take care of the rest. And as leaders, it’s what’s expected. Love Christian Center is run strictly off tithes and offerings, it’s how we pay rent, salaries, electric for lights and everything else that needs power, gas for heat in the winter, the internet, the coffee and water and communion and equipment and gas for the bus and the bus. While we utilize as many free things as we can, there are many more aspects of the ministry that are not free, free, free, free, free.

Leaders, we’re asking people to

Follow me to Sunday school, every Sunday

Follow me to Bible study, every Wed

Follow me to prayer every Thu—if you’re not working

Follow me by doing your part, as I do mine

Good leaders are FAT — Faithful—Available—Teachable

Good leaders are faithful. Faithful to God first, their family second and the church third. Yes I got that order right. God, your family, then the church.

Good leaders make themselves available when needed and within reason. If you’re not working, sick or some other really good reason on Wed night or Thu morning, you should be at Bible study and prayer.

Good leaders are teachable. Learning is a lifelong thing and we should all continue to study and learn individually and as a body.

So Love Christian Center leaders, here are your marching orders for the year

1. Be saved by the power of God ()

2. Be led by the Spirit of God ()

3. Pray without ceasing (; )

4. Seek directions through Jesus Christ (, ; ;

5. Tithe of your time, talent and treasure, it’s not just about money it’s about all of you. (; )

6. Operate in your gift — it’s important and necessary for the operation of the ministry (; )

7. Commit to serve — let your yay be yay and your nay be nay ()

8. Be faithful to Ministry — everything will not always go the way you want it to; come anyways, understanding ministry is not about us, it’s about Jesus. (; )

9. Study the Word individually and collectively – Sunday School, Bible Study ()

10. Attend Worship Service, special services and some outings — if you’ve been here long at all you know we don’t currently do a whole lot of extra ()

11. Live the Word — don’t just speak it with your mouth and not live it with you life. (; )

12. Support the total ministry — not just the parts you like or agree with as long as the parts you don’t like aren’t going against the Word of God (; )

13. Respect the vision of the Pastors as they receive direction from God — the vision is given to the head and distributed to the people (; )

14. Be willing to do whatever is necessary to maintain the unity of Faith — that may mean you don’t get your way sometimes; that may mean you sacrifice being right for keeping the relationship between you and your brother, your sister, your husband, your wife or your pastor (; )

15. Be a peace agent – turn negatives into positives (; ; )

16. Follow procedures for getting things done — there is a way that seemeth right to man, but in the end leads to destruction. If you don’t know, ask. ()

17. Be supportive and cooperative — if we don’t do what you want this time, continue to pray and ask the Lord to show you who or when what he gave you is for. Sometimes we receive a revelation but it’s not time to initiate it or it’s not the for the house you’re in right now. (; )

18. Joyfully carry out the responsibilities required of a leader — joyfully, joyfully, joyfully, without murmuring and complaining and prodding and begging. Joyfully — you know with a smile, happy, not expecting anything in return. ()

19. Be involved in evangelism — invite your 10, talk about and pass out the evangelism cards and share the message on social media. (;

Christ came in the form of man and quietly, confidently and perfectly set the example for us to not only live by, but for us to lead by. He gave up glory and put on the restrictive bonds of man to show us how to live a life that’s holy and pleasing to God. He said I always do what pleases the Father… and that should be our goal.

Not only was Christ our example in living, He was the epitome of a leader even in dying, he gave the ultimate sacrifice when he gave his life on the cross to atone for our sins. To give us an abundant life, everlasting life, eternal life with the Father, saving us from unending damnation.

But he didn’t stop there, he gave us hope when he got up on the third day

It looked like he went down defeated, but he got up a deliverer

It looked like a tragedy, but it was really a triumph

It looked like he was a victim, but he was actually the victor

It looked like death, but it was actually deliverance

It looked like slaughter, but it was actually surrender

It looked like a blunder, but it was actually a blessing

It looked like a mess, but it was actually a miracle

It looked like sorrow, but it was actually success

It looked like a wipe out, but it was truly a wonder

It looked like loss, but it was actually love

Jesus gave his life because he knew we needed a Savior and nothing and no one else would suffice. Whether you have a title or not, as Christians we are all leaders and we are responsible for leading the world to Christ, but how can you lead where you’ve never been?

If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there’s no better day than today, the doors of the church are open for salvation.

membership

rededication

Worship – Reverence God for who He is. — “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Worship is strictly about who God is not what He’s done.

Encouragement – Give hope to people who need hope. — “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints”. We want your heart to be flooded with light so you can understand the confident hope God has given those he called. We want you to know you are His holy people, that you are God’s rich and glorious inheritance.

So, these are the foundations of Love Christian Center. Now, as leaders here’s what you need to not only know, but here’s what you need to do.

We already know our leaders must be saved, but we must also lead by example. This is not a, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say do” situation. Our lives should emulate the love of Christ starting at home and spreading abroad, meaning into the church. We must be able to say like our Scripture text says, follow me, as I follow Christ.

Follow me where?

• Follow me to church, every Sunday

o This is where you get your marching orders for the week.

o Where you hear what thus sayeth the Lord through the vessel of the Lord.

o Where you give to and receive encouragement from your brothers and sisters in Christ.

o Where you utilize the gifts God has given you for the edification of the saints

o Where you bring your tithe and offering understanding that God ask a question in “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Verse 10 goes on to say, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse (the church), so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” And what is the tithe, it’s one tenth of your income. God provides for you and all he ask is 10% in return and he wants you to do it cheerfully and voluntarily. Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us to render unto to Caesar what is Caesar’s, today Caesar is the federal and state government to whom we pay income taxes and they don’t let you decide if you want to pay it, they take their’s off the top. Matthew, Mark and Luke continue saying, “… and to God what is God’s”. That would be the tithe. Now some might say, “I can’t afford to tithe.” To which I would challenge you and say, “You can’t afford not to”. Give God His first and watch Him take care of the rest. And as leaders, it’s what’s expected. Love Christian Center is run strictly off tithes and offerings, it’s how we pay rent, salaries, electric for lights and everything else that needs power, gas for heat in the winter, the internet, the coffee and water and communion and equipment and gas for the bus and the bus. While we utilize as many free things as we can, there are many more aspects of the ministry that are not free, free, free, free, free.

Leaders, we’re asking people to

• Follow me to Sunday school, every Sunday

• Follow me to Bible study, every Wed

• Follow me to prayer every Thu—if you’re not working

• Follow me by doing your part, as I do mine

Good leaders are FAT — Faithful—Available—Teachable

Good leaders are faithful. Faithful to God first, their family second and the church third. Yes I got that order right. God, your family, then the church.

Good leaders make themselves available when needed and within reason. If you’re not working, sick or some other really good reason on Wed night or Thu morning, you should be at Bible study and prayer.

Good leaders are teachable. Learning is a lifelong process and we should all continue to study and learn individually and as a body.

So Love Christian Center leaders, here are your marching orders for the year

Be saved by the power of God ()

Be led by the Spirit of God ()

Pray without ceasing (; )

Seek directions through Jesus Christ (, ; ;

Tithe of your time, talent and treasure, it’s not just about money it’s about all of you. (; )

Operate in your gift — it’s important and necessary for the operation of the ministry (; )

Commit to serve — let your yay be yay and your nay be nay ()

Be faithful to Ministry — everything will not always go the way you want it to; come anyways, understanding ministry is not about us, it’s about Jesus. (; )

Study the Word individually and collectively – Sunday School, Bible Study ()

Attend Worship Service, special services and some outings — if you’ve been here long at all you know we don’t currently do a whole lot of extra ()

Live the Word — don’t just speak it with your mouth and not live it with your life. (; )

Support the total ministry — not just the parts you like or agree with as long as the parts you don’t like aren’t going against the Word of God (; )

Respect the vision of the Pastors as they receive direction from God — the vision is given to the head and distributed to the people (; )

Be willing to do whatever is necessary to maintain the unity of Faith — that may mean you don’t get your way sometimes; that may mean you sacrifice being right for keeping the relationship between you and your brother, your sister, your husband, your wife or your pastor (; )

Be a peace agent – turn negatives into positives (; ; )

Follow procedures for getting things done — there is a way that seemeth right to man, but in the end leads to destruction. If you don’t know, ask. ()

Be supportive and cooperative — if we don’t do what you want this time, continue to pray and ask the Lord to show you who or when what he gave you is for. Sometimes we receive a revelation but it’s not time to initiate it or it’s not the for the house you’re in right now. (; )

Joyfully carry out the responsibilities required of a leader — joyfully, joyfully, joyfully, without murmuring and complaining and prodding and begging. Joyfully — you know with a smile, happy, not expecting anything in return. ()

Be involved in evangelism — invite your 10, talk about and pass out the evangelism cards and share the message on social media. (;

Christ came in the form of man. He quietly, confidently and perfectly set the example for us to not only live by, but for us to lead by. He gave up glory and put on the restrictive bonds of man to show us how to live a life that’s holy and pleasing to God. He said I always do what pleases the Father… and that should be our goal.

Not only was Christ our example in living, He was the epitome of a leader even in dying, he gave the ultimate sacrifice when he gave his life on the cross to atone for our sins. To give us an abundant life, everlasting life, eternal life with the Father, saving us from unending damnation.

But he didn’t stop there, he gave us hope when he got up on the third day

• It looked like he went down defeated – but he got up a deliverer

• It looked like a tragedy – but it was really a triumph

• It looked like he was a victim – but he was actually the victor

• It looked like death – but it was actually deliverance

• It looked like slaughter – but it was actually surrender

• It looked like a blunder – but it was actually a blessing

• It looked like a mess – but it was actually a miracle

• It looked like sorrow – but it was actually success

• It looked like a wipe out – but it was truly a wonder

• It looked like loss – but it was actually love

Jesus gave his life because he knew we needed a Savior and nothing and no one else would suffice. Whether you have a title or not, as Christians we are all leaders and we are responsible for leading the world to Christ, but how can you lead where you’ve never been?

If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there’s no better day than today, the doors of the church are open for salvation.

membership

rededication

Christian Leadership

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.