Becoming a Complete Leader Part 1: Biblical Transformation

Timothy was a young man mentored by Paul in both his faith and leadership.  Over the next several weeks we will be diving into 1 & 2 Timothy to learn how we can also grow in our faith and leadership.  This is the first in a series of articles on "Becoming a Complete Leader".


2 Timothy 3:16-17 is a very popular verse and worthy of it. Paul writes (ESV), “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

What does Paul mean that we will be "complete" or as the NLT translates, "perfect"?  The word complete literally means to finish (like a finished product) and figuratively means to be furnished completely. In one way, God's word will change you so that you will be like a finished product, ready and effective to fulfill the work He has planned for you.  In another way, God's word will fill your heart and mind like a perfectly furnished home where the Holy Spirit puts every passage perfectly in place.

More than a thousand years before Paul, King David used many metaphors to help illustrate the importance of scripture.  In Psalm 119:105 he writes that the bible is like a lamp that lights the path in front of us.  As leaders, we not only are walking on a path, but we have people following closely behind us.  When we are not picking up the bible, it’s like putting down a lamp and walking in darkness. Whenever we lead in darkness, we are timid, unsure and hesitant to truly lead people.  In contrast, when we engage in God's word we gain confidence, courage and clarity in our hearts which are then poured out through the way we lead.

Our leadership capacity and ability is made "complete" as we process the scriptures (sermons, worship songs, reading, discussing, etc...), apply it to our lives and then allow it to influence the way we lead others.  The more we do this, the more opportunity the Holy Spirit has to arrange it perfectly in our lives so that we can speak it into other's lives.

To me, this makes reading the scriptures exciting.  Opening up my bible expectantly because all scriptures are useful.  But what if I struggle to understand what I’m reading?  Let's go to the scriptures!!


1. Pray and ask God for wisdom when you don’t understand a passage.  James 1:5 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you." 

2. Seek wise and godly people.  Call or email a trusted friend, seek out a pastor or read a website/book by an authority figure.  Colossians 3:16 (NLT) encourages us to, “Counsel and teach each other with all the wisdom he (God) gives.”


3. Meditate (think a lot!!) on scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal it in His time to you.  Write it on an index card and tape it in your car or on your mirror.  For some people, just repeating it several times each day for a week does the job.  Joshua 1:8 says, “Study this Book of Instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night…” In 2 Timothy 2:7, Paul encourages Timothy to, “Think (Greek word is noeo: to ponder) about what I am saying.  The Lord will help you understand these things".  Sometimes you don't know why God impressed a scripture on you until an opportunity, which God knew in advance, comes up.

I have experienced this profoundly in my life. When I am consistently listening to sermons, worship music on my IPod, reading the bible or discussing scripture with someone, many of my daily decisions become clear.  I also can feel and see my leadership gain momentum as I lead with greater confidence, love and wisdom.  When I feel burnt out with leading, discouraged easily with people or just flat out unmotivated, it invariably is tied to the fact that God's truths are not penetrating my mind and heart.

A great example of how God’s word powerfully impacted someone’s life is told by Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. I hope this encourages you to fully engage with God as he guides you in leading people that he dearly loves.

The "Eye" of a Leader

We live in a time where leaders have to have a critical eye.  Evaluate, fix it, evaluate, fix it, etc... Leaders do this on a corporate level (within a church or small group) and on an individual level (personally and with others).  Jesus modeled this at times by severely rebuking his disciples and giving them clear correction in the way they were thinking and behaving.  When we lead people, we may have to do this occasionally.

Jesus did not just have a critical eye though.  He also used a "prophetic eye" and an "encouraging eye".  And this way of seeing people is just as important as a critical eye. In John 1:35-51 we read how Jesus used both of these leadership methods as he shepherded his disciples.  

Reading John 1:42, we see the first example of Jesus using his "prophetic eye".  He speaks to Peter and by giving him a new name, foretells what Peter would become.  This revelation was given to Jesus at some point by God the Father or perhaps through the Holy Spirit.  Either way, Jesus knew what Simon would become Peter or Petra, which means "the rock".  Peter was no longer just a fisherman; he was a foundational rock in what Jesus was building.  Though he would not fulfill this prophetic word for many years, Jesus already planted the seed in Peter's heart and mind.

At times, leaders should see people as what they will become, not just what they are.  As they pray for their people and read the scriptures, they speak biblically and or Holy Spirit inspired words into people's lives.  How do we see God using people who are under our care as leaders?  Can we see through their sin and foolishness, just like Jesus did with Peter?  This takes much prayer. To attempt to do this in the flesh would produce inaccurate prophetic words, which do not benefit anyone.

We see this principle repeated in scriptures.  In Acts 13:1-4, the Holy Spirit told men to send out Barnabas and Paul as missionaries (they were not missionaries at the time). In 1 Timothy 4:14, we read how Timothy became a pastor by men speaking it prophetically into his life.  Would Timothy have chosen to be a pastor?  I'm not sure if it wasn't for these prophetic words.  We know from 1 & 2 Timothy that Timothy was not the most confident man to run a ministry.  Even staying in Ephesus as a Pastor was more Paul's decision (1 Timothy 1:3) than his.  Prophetic words give great courage to those who wonder if and how God will use them.

Now in John 1:47-48, we see how Jesus does not use a prophetic eye, but an encouraging eye by telling Nathanael he is a genuine son of Israel. This did not foretell something about Nathanael, but revealed something that was already occurring in him. Nathanael was blown away that Jesus would even take notice of him.

As a leader, it is important at times to purposefully observe people's lives so that we can speak truth that encourages them.  We tell people, "I see a person of great compassion" or "I see someone who is incredibly humble".  Encouragement should always be truthful, as flattery will not be beneficial to them nor honoring to God. 

 When we follow Jesus in this example, people will be greatly encouraged that their leader noticed them and took time to speak about the virtuous qualities they possess.  I believe many of us go years without this type of encouragement yet when we receive these types of words it is like water to a parched soul.  This is just as powerful and useful as giving a foretelling / prophetic word to someone.

A critical eye is essential for building respect, a prophetic eye is important for building faith and an encouraging eye is vital for building loyalty. The wisdom of a leader is knowing when to use each spiritual discipline at the right time.

So this week, seek the Lord (prayer and scriptures) with how He may use you to speak with a prophetic eye or an encouraging eye. By seeking the Lord in how to build people up through your words, you will no doubt build up their faith in and faithfulness to Jesus.

Take care,

Brian

Don’t let Success Fool You: An Open Letter to Mark Driscoll & Rick Warren:

Success is a trap that many people know about but have a hard time dealing with in reality.  Billy Graham warned us when asked what is the greatest danger to evangelicalism.  His answer: Success. Sometimes it’s hard to see how success is influencing us in a negative way.  It is subtle, yet still dangerous. 

For example, I just listened to a sermon (2/7/11) by Mark Driscoll, a man I absolutely respect for what he has done for the Kingdom of God.  Before he started his sermon he gave an update on the success of Mars Hill Church.  In order to either pump up the crowd or his own sense of accomplishment, he stated, “Mars Hill has experienced {In this season} more of God’s grace than most churches experience in a lifetime.” 

Why would he say that?  Because success makes you feel like you have done more, experienced more and been blessed more than others.

Mark Driscoll may have one of the largest churches in America, but he has no idea if he is doing more and experiencing more of God’s grace than most churches.   To even make that statement (or I hope more of a slip of the tongue) shows something about his heart.

I saw another example of how dangerous success can be in an article (www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-to-lose-90-pounds-in-saddleback-fitness-plan-48452/) I read about Rick Warren and his desire for the church to be physically healthy.  The church started a “ministry” called the Daniel Plan and Warren has curriculum that Small Groups can use to help in their physical fitness.

So what’s wrong with this?  Well, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy, but is this a primary focus of a church?  Does my physical fitness really matter to God?

Warren and Saddleback are victims of their own success.  Large churches feel this great need to do it bigger and better or at least with innovation.  The Daniel Plan is based off of Daniel’s Jewish dietary restrictions.  The problem with this, Daniel wasn’t trying to lose weight, look cool or be more attractive.  It was part of the O.T. Law!!  He was just following what God had laid out in scripture.

Warren is also quoted as saying, "The Bible says that God wants you to be as healthy physically as you are spiritually. The plan will help you feel better, look better, have more energy, get in shape, and use your body the way God wants you to.” 

Really?  What verse in the bible tells us that God wants us to be just as healthy physically as spiritually?  I think 1 Timothy 4:8 is pretty clear, physical fitness is not high on God’s totem pole- nor should it be in the church. Success has caused Warren to lose focus and what’s worse is to use the bible (Daniel) in a way that it was never intended.

So what’s my point? Be careful of success and learn from these men who have followed Jesus for a long time.  Success can trip up anyone.  It is vital that when we experience seasons of success we draw even more into prayer, we speak with even greater humility and we focus more diligently on pleasing God, not impressing people we have or people we want.

Warren and Driscoll are just examples because they are in the social spotlight.  They are godly men who can be seduced by success just like anyone else. I hope they are reminded of some powerful words by a very successful man, Bill Gates.  He writes, “Success is a lousy teacher.  It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

So stay humble Driscoll, your words have the power to uplift or burden pastors who don’t match up to you.  There are many pastors and churches that are powerfully experiencing God’s grace.  Get to know them, it may change not just what you say, but how you speak. Stay focused Warren, just because you can do something as a church, doesn’t mean you should.  And please be careful with how you use the scriptures.  They are for eternal purposes, not to help us look good.