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Last week we introduced the thought that we are created in the image of God, and looked at three implications of that truth. The first implication was that we are God's visible representatives on earth, to rule on His behalf until He comes again. We will dwell in this thought for a few weeks, today looking at one aspect of this which affects us all.

We are all leaders

If we are created in the image of God, and we are, and if that means that we are called to rule on God's behalf to a lesser extent, which we are (Genesis 1:26), then we have all inherited from God His characteristic of leadership. A friend of mine is indignant that she is not a leader but rather a born follower. While I agree that we are all followers of Jesus and of those in spiritual authority over us we have all called to lead to some degree. I am sure that one could stratify levels of leadership far more than I could but I would like us to look at three key levels of leadership among Christians. We are all on this scale at some point and would do well to identify at what level we operate, in order that we can glorify God evermore by using our gifts of leadership to worship Him.

Leaders of unbelievers

In 2 Timothy 4:5 Paul told Timothy to 'do the work of an evangelist'. Let's have a look at the Greek word euaggelistēs, which is the word translated as evangelist in this verse, and which means 'a bringer of good news'. Literally speaking, to evangelise is to announce good news. Surely, as Christians, we are all recipients of the wonderful 'gospel [good news] of God' (Mark 1:14); allow me to tell a story by which to illustrate my point.

A friend of mine recently set up an electric fence in his garden. It was buzzing, so he did not touch it. In order to test the fence he switched it off, then back on again. It was no longer buzzing. He was confused, so put his hand on the fence - an error. He got a shock, so quickly ran into the house and collected up his six (yes, six!) children and took them to the fence. He then preached to them: 'if this fence is buzzing, it's switched on. If it's not, it's still switched on. Do not touch the fence!'

He had learnt that knowledge in this particular area could have prevented him from receiving a shock, and so immediately passed the knowledge onto those he cared most about. We have knowledge of the good news that has prevented us from receiving an eternity of just punishment for the disgusting adultery we have committed against God. If we do not respond by doing our utmost to lead unbelievers towards that truth then we are showing a distinct lack of love for them - how sad would it be if my friend had not warned his children of the fence?

We are ALL called to lead unbelievers towards Jesus through the witness of our own changed lives, the grace we show to those around us and an ability to successfully and succinctly preach the gospel.

In response therefore let us recognise the change we have experienced, actively show grace and forgiveness to all who are in contact with us and allow believers around us to help us grow in our ability to tell others the good news about Jesus.

Leaders of followers

Some of us have been called to lead those who require leading. Perhaps you lead a small midweek group, or perhaps you lead corporate worship on a Sunday. Perhaps you lead a children's group or a young person's Bible study. God loves to give gifts by the power of the Holy Spirit, and as recipients of these gifts we should be grateful that God would bless us in such a way. We should also recognise that the gifts are not there for the sake of the ministry but are there to serve others in the body and, under it all, to give glory to God. This gift is easy yet difficult to practise; here are three aspects of biblical leadership:

1. Lead yourself first - we learn a great deal about leadership from Paul's letters to Titus and Timothy. Titus 2 contains descriptions of how godly people are to behave, and something stands out. His encouragement for younger men in Titus 2:6 is 'urge the younger men to be self-controlled,' whereas his description of older men, husbands, wives, elders, and deacons are far lengthier; suffice it to say self control must be important! If we do not have the ability to lead ourselves in self control we will fail miserably when it comes to leading others.

2. Know where you are leading to - a friend of mine once told me that if I am leading but no-one is following then I am just going for a nice stroll. Similarly, if I am leading with no destination then I am just walking in circles, perhaps dragging several along with me. If the aim of my leadership is to gain respect then I am just forcing many others to stop walking when they could be fruitful elsewhere. Jesus should be our absolute focus in leadership so that we are moving with purpose in the right direction; as 1 John 1:7 says let us 'walk in the light, as He is in the light'.

3. Know who you are leading with - we are not alone in our leadership. Becoming a leader can often make us feel vulnerable and lonely, but the truth is that we have a constant companion. The gift of leadership is not magically given to us by no-one, but is empowered by the Spirit of God. Paul told Timothy to 'fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of hands' 2 Timothy 1:6, and that is what we are to do; let us be those who beg the Holy Spirit constantly to fill us, to empower us, and to lead us, that we may better glorify the Father and lead others into His presence and a deeper relationship with Him.

Leaders of leaders

Our final level of leadership would be the leader of leaders. Some of us may lead not only a small group but perhaps a group of small groups. Some may not just lead a kids' meeting but may oversee several children's workers. Some may even lead entire local churches with their various ministries, or even several local churches. If we lead leaders but do not have the gift to be able to lead leaders then we need to get on our knees and beg for God to help, or even consider stepping back to allow another to take our place, but there are biblical keys which we can lead with.

1. Do not take the responsibility lightly - if we are leading leaders then we are not only leading them, but indirectly leading all those who follow them. The responsibility on our shoulders can therefore be enormous; if a church leader has a congregation of approximately 100 then that is 100 people's souls he is responsible for; I do not feel comfortable taking responsibility for my own actions, let alone those of 100 people so we should certainly not take our role lightly. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:8 that a man who will not provide for his household is 'worse than an unbeliever'; if, even unwittingly, we do not provide what is needed by our 'flock' then we are essentially calling down their judgment upon ourselves. Let us not take that lightly.

2. Know how to delete and delegate - the Parable of the Talents can teach us so much but does show us that different people have been created to be able to cope with more or less 'according to his ability' (Matthew 25:14). We should, in humility, determine our capacity (men, ask your wives - they will know!) and rearrange our ministry to ensure that (a) we are serving God to the best of our ability by using the capacity He has given us, and (b) not over-committing ouselves - (b) is the one which most leaders of leaders will suffer from. If we are finding that we serve more than our capacity allows we should learn to do two things. The first is to simply remove a ministry. While it is always sad to see a ministry disappear it is always sadder to see a good, godly leader crash and burn, collapsing under the pressure and falling unceremoniously, often bringing down many others with them. The second is to learn the art of delegation; if you can find someone who can do a Job 80% as well as you can then give it to them, and simply ask for a regular report from them so you can keep check. By doing these two things you will be able to burn long, burn on, and burn bright, rather than burning out.

3. Be encouraged - finally we are to not look to the world but look to Jesus for our encouragement. In the Parable of the Talents the servants who got a return received exactly the same reward: 'His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into a the joy of your master.’' (Matthew 25:21,23). Jesus is looking for faithfulness, not fruitfulness. The servant who produced five talents more may have given the master a greater profit but he receives the same reward as the one who only made two. Let us remain faithful with the manner in which we serve and the One whom we serve, and let that be our focus rather than the fruit of our labour.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Prayer and God's Will