Week one - Kinds of Leadership - David

Kinds of Leadership
What is leadership? The dictionary meaning is: 1) the position or function of a leader; 2) the ability to lead; and 3) an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction.
When we attempt to answer what leadership is, we automatically think that leadership is someone who takes a leadership position and only leads down to people under them. That is not true! No matter what leadership position one is in, he/she can lead in three different ways. In John Maxwell’s book The 360-Degree Leader, Maxwell teaches us the skills we need to become an all-around 360-degree leader. He tells us that not only can we “lead down” to our followers, but we can “lead up” to our leader, and “lead across” to our colleagues.
So what is leadership, well I will tell you what it is not, leadership is NOT a power play of lording authority over others and glorifying oneself, it is not an authoritarian attitude or a charismatic control either.
What does the Bible say about leadership?
· Numbers 27:16-17- goal oriented and people oriented
· Deuteronomy 1:14-18- fairness; impartiality, strength, know limitation sand include others
· Acts 6:3- Be a good model
· Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruits of the spirit; if you don’t use fruit it rots
· Philippians 2:3 – honest understanding of yourself, strong external focus
· Philippians 4:13- know where your strength comes form; Christ:

· A leader should have ethics. They should be love centered, with the idea of being a servant; being aggressively self-giving. (Ephesians 6:4, Philippians 2:6-8, and Thessalonians 2:11)
· A leader should church centered and always connected with the local church. (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 12)
· A leader should have responsibility. They should be Christ centered; ultimately responsible to Christ. (Matthew 25:31-46; John)
· A leader should be dynamic and spirit centered. (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18; John 14-17)
With in the leadership role, there are characteristics, qualities, and principles.
The characteristic components would be:
· Beliefs – basic understanding of God and people.
· Values – Attitudes you have about the worth of beliefs.
· Skills – knowledge and abilities we develop over a lifetime.
· Traits – qualities that people have (honesty, imagination)
The qualities of Leadership would be:
· Religious commitment- commitment to Christ, foundation ; commitment to body of Christ.
· Discipline and Self-control – delayed gratification.
· Affirming of others – look for every opportunity to build others up.
· Loving toward others – must have strength involved, willing to say no/ not always PC.
· Honesty/Integrity – yourself and others.
· Service not gain.
· Wisdom – more than knowledge, its effective use.
· Emotional Health.
The principles of leadership would be:
· Know yourself – improve yourself.
· Technically proficient – you need to know it, be the best you can.
· Seek Responsibility – take positions that will stretch you.
· Sound Decisions/Timely Decisions – gather as much information as you can.
· Set the example – never know when someone is watching.
· Know your people – don’t burn out your followers.
· Keep your people in formed – timely information.
· Develop Responsibility – in your people, they need to own it.
· Follow-up – give people the authority to do what you ask, check up on them from time to time.
· Train your people – on going, give them what they need to accomplish the task (K) Use your resources – know what your peoples gifts are