Leadership Principles from the Word
Scripture
“An idiot will become intelligent When the foal of a wild donkey is born a man.
(Job 11:12 NASB)
So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.
(Acts 15:30 NASB)
When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
(Acts 15:31 NASB)
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.
(Acts 15:32 NASB)
After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out.
(Acts 15:33 NASB)
(Job 11:12 NASB)
So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.
(Acts 15:30 NASB)
When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
(Acts 15:31 NASB)
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.
(Acts 15:32 NASB)
After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out.
(Acts 15:33 NASB)
Observation
As I read the different texts this morning different principles jumped out at me. First of all, the verse in Job is actually quite funny and I don't think I've ever paid any attention to it before. Job's friend is trying to give him advice and discover that his friend has quite a strong opinion about idiots! In other words, there are certain people out there in the world who do try and give advice, or who try to be leaders and are doing so far too much under their own strength and prowess. As long as we try to do it all on our own, without God, we will be like the idiot who has no chance of becoming intelligent, because there will never be a day when a wild donkey will give birth to a human. Therefore trying to be a leader on your own, without God's wisdom is complete and total foolishness.
In the book of Acts we discover some very practical principles from the Apostles. They were dealing with a really tricky issue which was brand new to them. Did they try to resolve it all on their own? No, they went to God for leading and for guidance and he brought them to a new understanding. This new understanding broke the paradigm to which they were accustomed. The good news of Jesus Christ was to be available for the Jews and the Gentiles and the Gentiles were not to have to be circumcised the way the Jews had been. Their understanding was about the interior life of the individual, not about following all the old covenant rules. In many ways this was a miracle that could only occur because of them allowing God to work in their lives.
Application
Looking at these scriptures we can form several ideas about leadership.
1) Leadership always seeks God's wisdom when it comes to decision making. To do anything otherwise would be completely foolish, the result of which may be that we look like an idiot.
2) After wrestling over a response to a difficult situation they took off with a plan of action. They knew what they were going to go and do.
3) Their plan of action included communication. They were careful to be inclusive when it came to their communication. They gathered the entire church together.
4) Their communication was both verbal and written. To make sure that the information was clear and consistent they wrote down what they wanted to say in a letter. They read the letter to the people, but also left the letter with them so that there would be no confusion as to what was being said.
5) The letter and the communication was done in a very positive manner. The people did not go away feeling condemned, but instead, felt encouraged. They were so encouraged that they rejoiced!
6) The encouragement was reinforced with positive preaching and teaching. The leadership team knew that continual preaching and teaching was going to be necessary for the development of these people.
7) The result of the positive cultivation of these people is that when the leaders moved on, they went in peace. There was no anger or animosity, but a sweet sense of the peace of God that went with them.
1) Leadership always seeks God's wisdom when it comes to decision making. To do anything otherwise would be completely foolish, the result of which may be that we look like an idiot.
2) After wrestling over a response to a difficult situation they took off with a plan of action. They knew what they were going to go and do.
3) Their plan of action included communication. They were careful to be inclusive when it came to their communication. They gathered the entire church together.
4) Their communication was both verbal and written. To make sure that the information was clear and consistent they wrote down what they wanted to say in a letter. They read the letter to the people, but also left the letter with them so that there would be no confusion as to what was being said.
5) The letter and the communication was done in a very positive manner. The people did not go away feeling condemned, but instead, felt encouraged. They were so encouraged that they rejoiced!
6) The encouragement was reinforced with positive preaching and teaching. The leadership team knew that continual preaching and teaching was going to be necessary for the development of these people.
7) The result of the positive cultivation of these people is that when the leaders moved on, they went in peace. There was no anger or animosity, but a sweet sense of the peace of God that went with them.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for practical lessons from your word which we can apply to our lives. Please, help me to apply these to my life and ministry. Amen.
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