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Principles of Leadership Delegate Authority Part 2

Last time, I closed with this instruction.  “As leaders, it is important that we delegate the necessary authority to others when we assign tasks to them.” I cannot emphasize this enough; if we delegate responsibility without the necessary authority, we will frustrate our followers. 

You Became a Model

The Apostle Paul was especially glad that the Thessalonian believers had followed Christ so well that they “became a model to believers” all over two provinces of Greece.

This is what we dream of as church planters. We want those who hear our words and see our lives to trust Christ and experience the joy of the Holy Spirit.  But we are not looking and hoping just for changed belief. We are hoping and praying for changed behavior. And that is just what Paul saw among the Thessalonians. 

To learn more about modelling Christian discipleship, listen to the Multiply podcast episode called “You Became a Model” by clicking here:

Suffering with Joy Given by the Holy Spirit

You as church planters know and are experiencing circumstances that are very hard and this is what the Apostle Paul is speaking about. Things are hard YET these circumstances cannot rob us of our Eternal joy and hope that God’s word gives us. Jesus told us that we would never be alone, that He would send us a comforter that would guide us into all truth.

You Became Imitators of Us and the Lord

There are many ways to make disciples. Preachers make disciples. Teachers do too. Evangelists make disciples sometimes and so do pastors. But regardless of our gifting, the best way to make disciples is to model the way to live with our behavior. Talk is cheap.  But living a life of love in the face of hardships is not easy.  And every church planter I have ever known has been acquainted with sorrows. Persecution, rejection, family members who do not understand our devotion to God, sickness, spiritual warfare.  All of this is part of the life of a church planter

Principles of Leadership Delegate Authority

Lastly, Jesus’ example is seen again in what is known as the Great Commission.  “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus conferred, or passed on, His authority to his disciples and to all who follow Him to this day. 

You Know How We Lived Among You

 

Village Church Planters understand that we make disciples “by teaching them to obey everything” Jesus has commanded.  Teaching with words is an essential way to teach others.  But it’s not the only way.

The Gospel with Power

We’ll begin with the simple fact that the Gospel came to them, this being the truth and power of Jesus, His saving power plus love. The Good News must always be on the forefront of our living life testimony. It continually needs to be shared to others.

Here, we simply witness the ‘cause and effect’ of when the Gospel of Jesus is shared. Halleluiah it’s that real and simple!

Work Produced by Faith

loud instructions motivate hard work by believers?  Paul, Silas, and Timothy thanked God for the work of the members of the church in Thessalonica.  They saw that the work of the Thessalonians was produced by faith.

How do you motivate hard work in a church?  You build up the faith of the believers. Work in the church arises from faith.

Principles of Leadership Be Available Part 2

Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” 

We Thank God for You

So much of our time in prayer is spent in intercession asking God to meet the needs of others. This is very important prayer. But it is not the only way to pray! Paul and his church planting teammates, Silas and Timothy remembered with thanksgiving the Thessalonian Christians continually as they prayed. What a great example for church planters today!