Organic Leadership Development from LEADER BREAKTHRU

Core Concept 1:

Leader Defintion

A leader is a person with: God-given capacity, and a God-given responsibility, who is
influencing a specific group of God’s people, toward God’s purposes for that group.
(Dr. J. Robert Clinton)

At the heart of biblical leadership is the capacity to influence God’s people
toward God’s purposes. The accomplishment of God’s purposes in each generation
is the very essence of leadership. Scripture says David lived to fulfill God’s
purposes in his generation (Acts 13:36). That which distinguishes Christian
leadership from secular leadership or management is the capacity to influence
men and women to live for God’s ultimate purposes.

Notice from our definition that several components define a leader.
God-given capacity refers to one’s spiritual giftedness, natural abilities and
acquired skills.

God-given responsibility refers to a sense of accountability to God for the
burden (call) he gives a leader for influencing others, and how and where the
leader leads the people of God.

Influence refers to the capacity to affect others and alter or change their
thoughts or behavior. It is persuasion backed by credibility. In our information
society, leadership is influence. Whoever has the influence has the leadership,
regardless of his official position.

God’s people remind the leader that the church and its people belong to
the Lord. He is the Great Shepherd. Scripture clearly warns those who abuse
the people who have been entrusted to a leader’s care (Ezekiel 34:1–10).

God’s purposes refer to those unique callings and biblical mandates that

God gives his people. They are the commands of Scripture, are ageless in their
call, but have been uniquely applied in each generation (Acts 13:36).

Core Concept 2:
Shaping Christ-followers

God develops a leader over a lifetime. He intervenes throughout a leader’s
life in crucial ways, to shape that leader toward his purposes. Viewed from a life
perspective, God’s intervention is intentional and purposeful.
Ephesians 2:10 says that each of us is God’s craftsmanship. He has made us
and is shaping us for ministry which he prepared for us. When Christ calls
leaders into ministry, he intends to develop them fully. Each of us is responsible
to God for our own development and response to God’s initiatives in our lives.
God shapes a leader’s destiny through processing, time analysis and
development phases.

Processing describes the people, events and circumstances that God uses to
shape a leader’s life. God checks a leader’s heart and character, challenges his
view of ministry and faith, and leads him through incidents and experiences.

Core Concept :3
Shaping of Heart

God causes all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). He uses
every circumstance, person or event that comes our way to shape our character.
He wants to conform us to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). Leaders often
question God’s purpose in letting certain events happen. God always has a
purpose. The Lord uses these events to call us into deeper intimacy with him.
God develops character especially through ministry assignments. Ministry
assignments refer to a particular role or responsibility a leader has undertaken.
Ministry assignments provide the “hot house” for many important character
lessons. No matter how difficult the circumstance, no assignment is a wasted
venture in God’s economy.

Character formation is concerned with “being.” It helps a leader reflect
greater Christ-like characteristics in his personality and everyday actions.
Character formation sustains greater levels of influence.
Character formation means developing greater intimacy with Christ,
experiencing more of his presence and power for ministry.

Four kinds of checks, or tests, help form character:
• Integrity checks test inner convictions against outward actions. Early in
their development, leaders face personal inconsistencies. Resolving them
forces leaders to grow deeper in their walk with Christ.
• Obedience checks test a leader’s desire and willingness to respond to the
truth God has revealed. It is a call for action. These checks build greater
character depth.
• Spiritual authority is the source of true credibility in leadership. While there
are other legitimate means of authority, spiritual authority is foundational to
accomplishing vision. Spiritual authority is the direct result of God doing a
greater work in the deeper areas of a leader’s life.
• Word checks test a leader’s ability to hear from God through his Word and
through prayer, fellowship and divine intervention. Leaders must learn to
hear from God, especially in their personal growth and development.
Effective leaders minister out of who they are in Christ.

As a leader grows
in character, God grants a greater ability to lead (spiritual authority). Followers
recognize this growth in spiritual authority and grow in their capacity to trust
and follow a leader. Effective ministry flows out of abiding in Christ (John 15:5).

Core Concept: 4
Shaping of Hands
Ministry formation is concerned with “doing.” It means developing
deeper spirituality while building leadership skills.
Ministry formation is often the result of growth in:
• Understanding and experiencing leadership concepts
• Sensitivity to God’s revelation of his purposes
• Identification and development of spiritual gifts and abilities
• Ability to motivate followers to make the necessary changes which better
reflect the will of God
Ministry formation has to do with innate and acquired ministry skills. As a
leader develops, he grows in the understanding and use of leadership knowledge
and skills. An effective leader maintains a learning posture.
Growth in skill development includes learning better to hear from God,
discerning spiritual direction, handling people, organizing and delegating tasks,
communicating vision, and managing time and ministry priorities.
Growth in knowledge development centers on a greater understanding of
essential Christian doctrines, applying deeper spiritual principles to everyday
life, understanding leadership dynamics, motivating followers, understanding
organizational structuring and goal setting or strategic planning.
Mentors can build ministry formation through coaching and mentoring.