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Principles of Leadership McCarthy Part 2

Godly leaders are humble - We rely on God’s power because we know we are weak.

Godly leaders are confident in Christ- we have everything we need in Him

Because godly leaders rely upon God’s all-surpassing power – and not upon ourselves – we are confident … in Christ! 

You Received the Word of God

When we speak God’s word, when we preach or teach or share the Good News with a friend, we never know how that word will be received.  Will it be received with faith or with doubt? Will it be received with an open heart or a closed mind? We just never know what to expect.

Encouraging, Comforting, Urging

We find the Apostle Paul writing as a father, a superintendent of their spiritual education. He uses three modes of instruction. Village church planters, I believe these modes of instruction will be a very helpful tool to increase the witness of Christ into lives.

Exhortation= Encouragement

Comfort= Positive Reinforcement

Urging = charge, challenge, imploring, begging

The combination of encouragement and Reinforcement stirs the heart, but to do what?

Holy, Righteous, Blameless

Actions speak louder than words. Just as faith without works is dead, so teaching and training without a lifestyle of godly action is worthless. Today’s episode of Multiply highlights the importance of leading by example.

So as to Not Be a Burden

Bivocational ministry is hard work. Essentially a bivocational church palnter takes on two jobs. Tis is a pattern of ministry that the Apostle Paul exemplified almost 2,000 years ago as he planted th church at Thessalonica. His experience gives us insights into how we can handle the toil and hardships of bivocational ministry.

We Cared for You Because We Loved You so Much

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians “Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Wow! Those words challenge me. I love people. But I am not sure that I live up to the standard of love Paul set.  Today’s podcast identifies some actions you as a church planter can take to increase the love you feel for the people you serve.

Principles of Leadership McCarthy Part 1

Godly leaders are resilient- we don’t give up

Godly leaders are clear- we specialize in truth and transparency. 

Godly leaders are Christ-focused. We do not promote ourselves

• We do not preach ourselves. The world – and, I would suggest, the Church as well - has too much of this.
• We preach Jesus Christ as Lord. This is the simplicity, and the Power, of the Gospel.  

We are your servants for Jesus’ sake.  Godly leaders are servant leaders.

Approved by God Entrusted with the Gospel

Some people think that only ordained clergy can share the Good News of Jesus. Some people think that only those who have been formally trained in a theological seminary are authorized to share the message of Christ.  Some people who attend your church may be thinking right now, “I could never share the Gospel, I would not know what to say.” Or, “I might make a mistake if I shared the Gospel; I better leave that job to experts like my pastor.”

But really, who is authorized to communicate the Gospel? How is one authorized proclaim the Good news of Christ? 

In the Face of Strong Opposition

As I have tried to teach by example (recall the podcast ‘You Became a Model’); I stress to those I disciple that it is how we react when we are treated badly. This is pertinent when people oppose God through our life and ministry. To be honest, it hurts! I have cried many tears as the Spirit of God was grieved and our service to individuals was met with a great opposition.

You Turned to God from Idols

God delights in delivering people from idolatry and fear of the spirit world. Jesu shed his precious blood to set us free from fear. God is delivering thousands of people from idolatry every day.  If God has delivered you form fear of the spirit world, praise God. Give him glory.