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Hello friends! Thank you for staying tuned with the series, Outstanding Leader.
1 Peter 5: 2-3 say, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
When we start dealing with our sin and personal baggage, developing a biblical worldview, establishing theological anchors and forming faith convictions, we grow in spiritual maturity. Our personal conduct is the outflow of this process, and the only part visible to others. Our conduct represents the tip of our “iceberg” which comprises of two aspects: (1) our attitudes and motivations, and (2) our actual behaviour and words in our responses.
Jesus explains that our words and actions are the result of the state of our hearts in Luke 6: 45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Our conduct is supported by the development of our character. We may display good conduct but if this is not supported by godly character, then our conduct will be affected accordingly. This is why there is stumbling in the church and business organisations, reflected in anger, hypocrisy, infighting and conflicts among leaders. That clearly reflects their inner being; there may be fractures in their foundations in the form of unhealed hurts and the character of Christ is not developed.
For instance, a Christian businessman may want to grow his business through aggressive marketing. If he follows worldly values, he would put up advertisements in websites that have heavy web traffic such as online gambling sites. While this may profit his business, it would stumble many who know him as a Christian.
How do leaders aim for conduct that pleases God? We must set our goals in two areas:
(1) To have conscience void of offence before God and towards men. Acts 24: 16 says, “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Who are the “men” we must have a clear conscience before? Paul was referring to the people who we interact with regularly, such as our spouses, parents and colleagues. This is because we cannot please the world at large.
(2) We must intentionally put preventives over our areas of vulnerability. As Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4: 16, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” Our conduct matters because of its influence and impact.
Here are some areas of personal conduct that we need to put defences:
First Area: Submission to Authority
God sets authority figures over us for submission and accountability. All of us come under four authority structures:
Ephesians 6: 1-4 say, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother” - which is the first commandment with a promise - “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
2. The workplace: As subordinates, we submit to our bosses and supervisors.
Ephesians 6: 5-9 say, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.”
4. The church: Individual members are accountable to each other, so we are to submit to our specific spiritual leaders, be they group leaders, deacons, pastors or elders. Hebrews 13: 17 says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
Thomas Christianson writes: “Accountability isn’t about more policing in your life. In reality, it’s more like a cheerleader or a coach who helps you to become the best version of yourself.”
Second Area: Inter-Gender Relationship
Another area where personal conduct stands or falls is in cross-gender friendship. For instance, many churches have rules which state that counselling is to be done by a church leader of the same sex as the recipient whenever possible. Otherwise, someone of the same sex as the recipient sits in at the meeting.
Business leaders who often travel overseas should always have someone else to whom they can account for their actions.
Third Area: Personality Conflicts
Another safeguard we need is against interpersonal friction and personality clashes. My church of uses personality tools called DiSC assessment tool to coach leaders and help them work with others. The four components of the DiSC personality profile and areas of conflict to be watchful are:-
“D”s, those with a Dominant personality are to watch their forcefulness and avoid imposing their views on others. Instead, they need to work on being more gentle and patient.
“I”s, those who are natural Influencers and people-relaters are to avoid impulsive decision-making and close communication loops by ensuring that everyone is kept in the know.
“S”s are Steady and amiable people. They are dutiful and hardworking but need to build strong convictions and make their stand when necessary.
“C”s are Conscientious people who pay attention to every detail and ensure it is perfectly in order. They need to keep the big picture in mind, not get ‘entangled’ in the details.
Keeping different personalities to work smoothly together is a measure against unhealthy conflicts and disunity.
Fourth Area: No Comparisons
If powerful yet expensive cars puttering on the road along 45km per hour, the drivers of these cars are simply fearful of opening up the throttle. The engines are capable of great speed and acceleration, but the full potential are not being utilised.
That’s the way it is when leaders who have been given many talents from God underperform. If we have only a talent and we perform at 90%, that is outstanding. However, if we have five talents and only function at 30% or 40%, that is not outstanding. The second leader may be achieving more than the first in earthly terms, but he is still underperforming, because he is capable of so much more!
I believe we must operate with at least 75% of our talent-capacity levels, to the extent that Spirit-led operations can be quantified. People have different capacities, but God wants each of us to find that capacity and avail it for His use.
Nevertheless, we are not to compare ourselves with others in our conduct. Whatever the situation, there is no cause for comparison between brothers and sisters. We are responsible for our own vision, not theirs. We are responsible for what God downloads to us, and how He has wired us.
While we can set benchmarks to continue to grow and develop as leaders, we should not put ourselves down. The steering of a big ship is not to be compared with that of a small one. The role of each person is different. The important thing is to discharge our duties faithfully.
On the day of judgement, God is going to ask each one of us: “What did you do with what was given to you?” It will not be: “Why were you not as successful as this other brother or sister?” Each of us is responsible for our own vision. Comparison is the devil’s snare and part of his plot to sow envy, jealousy, discord and condemnation.
Readiness - The Bottom Line
Why do we take such care to develop our perspective and conduct, maintain unity and keep our behaviour above reproach?
The bottom line is one that should shape the perspective of the Christian leader: God’s honour and the souls of men and women are at stake. We do this so we are ready to speak God’s truth at all times, to anyone who asks and sees us. Peter exhorts in 1 Peter 3: 15&16, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
We can only be ready when we have the clarity of mind to develop a biblical worldview which is grounded on theological anchors, based on the promises of God’s Word and expressed in our faith convictions.
If we have the right perspective as a leader, we have a certain sense of assurance and increasingly gain the confidence and courage to lead. Growing in these areas will help us to define our purpose and vision, which is borne out of our perspectives of God, ourselves and the world around us.
In our persona, others may see us as talented, gifted, smart, handsome or articulate. However, if this is not supported in our private life with the foundations of love, humility, graciousness, righteousness, obedience to Christ and an intimate walk with the Lord, we will be deceiving ourselves and those who look to us as leaders.
Our public life is like the tip of an iceberg that others see us as talented, gifted, smart, handsome or articulate. That’s only 10% of who we are. However, 90% of our private life is invisible and this part speaks the most of us. What found in the 90% includes fruit of the Spirit, teachability, graciousness, and character.
Tommy Tenney summarises this clearly: “What is in your hand? Ability? A fine mind? Power to influence people? Eloquence? Personality? Talent? Throw it down – there might be a snake in it! Regardless of our personal talents and abilities, God is committed to character, not talent.”
As we walk out our purpose as spiritual leaders, we need to continually tap into the power source that comes from experiencing the love of God the Father, being guided by the light from Jesus the Son as given in His Word, and receiving the life of the Holy Spirit – so that we are filled with spiritual vibrancy and zeal.
Next Wednesday, we will explore on another key known as The Power Source of the Leader. May God bless you with a wonderful week. Goodbye.