Doing it God's Way

From Conflict to Harmony in Church Leadership

Paul Cannings

• Publisher: Uriel Press, a division of UMI
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780999332672
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Théologie et religion
• Subtopic: Ministère chrétien

Strong leadership is crucial to expand ministries and continue the growth of the church. But the process of building that leadership team is not always given the attention it deserves. Today’s pastors must first rely on the principles outlined in the Bible to guide the church. In Doing It God’s Way, pastor, author, and teacher Dr. Paul Cannings presents a roadmap for Christian leaders, guiding them through the process of resolving conflicts so they may become great examples for their communities. Drawing on Biblical references, this user-friendly handbook will help you:

• Understand the qualities of a good leader
• Develop and sustain a united leadership team
• Resolve difficulties while doing the work of the church
• Break down barriers that prevent people from working together
• Effectively manage teams to develop ministry

Full of actionable instruction, Doing It God’s Way is essential reading for pastors starting new churches, young pastors looking to grow, and seasoned pastors experiencing challenges as they seek to develop a healthy church environment.

CHAPTER 1

Principles for Developing a United Leadership Team

Introduction

The absolute foundation for developing church ministry must rest on the authority of the Word of God. Leaders are, therefore, guided and directed as a result of the principles outlined in scripture. Because Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22), leaders must function under His headship, in order to facilitate God's plans, purpose, and will for the church (Ephesians 1:11). Leaders do not have to develop principles by which to guide the church; these principles are already outlined, and they stand as the authority for God's church (2 Timothy 3:14-17; take notice of 'every good work' mentioned in verse 17).

It is a commitment to His standards that leads to unity. Unity is achieved when the Word of God defines the purpose of ministry (one Word), people are challenged to mature spiritually (one Spirit), each person is committed to use their spiritual gift for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 12:4-8; which leads to one body), and each person is committed to one purpose (Philippians 2:1-5). As Christ prepared His disciples for His departure, He prayed for the church to function as a unified body (John 17:20-23).

When these elements lead to unity, diversity serves to make a unified body a powerful experience that accomplishes God's purposes with a high level of efficiency. "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." (Ephesians 4:4-7)

A Biblical Process that Empowers Church Leadership to Minister as a Team

Leaders Must Address Divisive Behavior Biblically

1. Leaders must not tolerate members who seek to create division in the church. These passages instruct leadership to do the following:

a. "Keep an eye on those who cause dissension and hindrances... " (Romans 16:17).

b. "Take special note ... and do not associate with him ... admonish him as a brother. "(2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

c. When a person persists in creating dissension, we must do the following:

"...avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law, ... Reject a factious man after a first and second warning..." (Titus 3:10).

2. Leaders must be more committed to the Word of God rather than traditions (Colossians 2:6-8; Mark 7:5-8). In other words, when church members are more committed to the church's traditions (later chapter) than living out the principles of the Word, the traditions must be removed so that the church remains a living organism (Hebrews 10:23-26) rather than a stiff, religious institution.

3. Leaders must not be argumentative (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:14, 24; Proverbs 17:19).

a. "For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain—"(Titus 1:7; NASB) It is not about winning an argument. It is about executing the will of the Lord for the spiritual development of His people (Colossians 1:28-29). Jesus constantly stated, no matter the arguments of the High Priest, Elders, Pharisees, or Scribes, He 'must be about His Father's business.'

A Process for Establishing a Cohesive Leadership Team

1. Each leader must function based on their spiritual gifts (Romans 12:4-13; 1 Peter 4:10). This provides the spiritual empowerment necessary to fulfill the will of God. In other words, an elder should not be considered an elder if they do not have the gift of wisdom and knowledge (Jeremiah 3:15). A deacon should not be considered to be a deacon if they do not have the gift of service (Acts 6:2-3). A Sunday school teacher should not teach if they do not have the gift of teaching.

2. The leadership team must serve based on the vision of the church (Philippians 2:1-2).

3. They also must serve committed to respect pastoral leadership (Exodus 18:19-20; Numbers 11:16-18; Titus 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:15).

a. Providing respect to a key leader maintains unity to a vision and the work that needs to be done to execute the vision. It stimulates spiritual growth which leads to a loving community of believers (Ephesians 4:12-13,16).

4. They must learn to respect differences (Romans 14) and function compelled to exercise God's love to each other. Must respect structure when there are differences so that those issues are resolute with decency and order (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). *Discussed in chapter two.

5. Organize a structure based on the ministry's vision that defines how each person works as a team based on their spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:14-27).

6. Seek to function without grumbling and complaining (Philippians 2:14; 1 Peter 4:7-11; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Colossians 3:13). Only entertain constructive criticism. Discussed in chapter three.

The Spirit of a Leader Determines the Overall Effectiveness of the Leadership Team

1. Christian leaders are servants: (Matthew 20:27, 28; Mark 10:44, 45). "Leaders in the church exist to facilitate the ministry of the whole body; they are not appointed to dominate or control the body." (James E. Means, page 47) Discussed in chapter seven.

2. Single-mindedness (outlined by Jay Adams. "Be the Leader God Meant You to Be"):

a. The Apostle Paul said, "I press toward the mark." He did not say, "I float toward the mark, I glide toward the mark, I slip and slide toward the mark, or I drift toward the mark." He said press, and that always presupposes opposition. (Romans 1:16-18; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Philippians 4:12; 1 Timothy 4:6-8; Colossians 1:29)

Today the Lord is looking for people who care nothing for the empty praise or temporal pleasures of this world (1 John 2:15-17). He is seeking men and women who care that the world needs Christ and who are eager to follow Him with single-mindedness and purpose (Colossians 3:1-3; Acts 20:24).

3. A leader that will be effective must be flexible (1 Corinthians 16:6- 7; 2 Corinthians 1:15-17; Acts 16:6).

4. A leader who does not run from challenges (1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 4:10), does not quit leaving the group incapacitated.

Barriers that Prevent People from Working Together

1. When a leader becomes more focused on obstacles rather than developing effective strategies for the achievement of the group's objectives, the group becomes easily caught up in resolving one problem after another. This reduces productivity and increases frustration (1 Kings 19 — Elijah can take on many obstacles, but Jezebel was too much, so he kept hiding from her).

2. When leaders don't trust leadership, they begin to do what they think is best. This leads to a dysfunctional and divisive environment. It is better for the person to resign (Numbers 13-14, 16).

3. A lack of clearly defined goals and objectives (Philippians 2:1-2; one purpose and one mind).

4. Leaders who do things last minute. This does not allow for good communication and team building.

5. Leaders who are unwilling to try anything new that the Word of God allows (Mark 7:5-8).

6. Leaders that are not teachable (2 Timothy 2:2).

7. Leaders who have too much self-confidence (Matthew 16:21-23; 1 Peter 5:5).

8. Leaders whose secular education leads to over-confidence and a lack of dependence on God for Christian ministry (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).

9. Barriers occur when there is no clear line of command and there is a lack of structure.

10. When committee members are carnal Christians, there are a lot of barriers (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). People functioning in the flesh can create a lot of chaos in a church (Galatians 5:16-21).

11. This takes place when everything is being done based on leaders' opinions, their need for power and authority, their need for a sense of security, and when leaders have their own best interests ahead of what the Word says, both conceptually (2 Timothy 3:17) and in action.

12. A lack of accountability or individuals not wanting to be accountable reduces the effectiveness of any group.

Group Dynamics That Can Lead to a Cohesive Group of Believers

There are several stages in developing cohesive group dynamics. They are as follows:

1. Getting to know each other through fellowship gatherings. Don't just meet to accomplish tasks. This can develop good communication among the leadership team and reduce competition.

2. Everyone working based on their spiritual gifts.

3. Make sure everyone has a clear understanding of the task.

4. Make sure everyone has a good understanding of the vision of the church and how it is systematically implemented in a strategic plan.

5. Developing a level of confidence in the leader.

6. Each ministry leader must be provided clear ministry guidelines (another way of saying that each person has a job description) that complements what others are doing.

7. A leader needs to always think positively and remain excited about the project. This encourages a workable attitude among members.

8. Develop confidence in the ability of each member of the committee.

9. Respect difference so long as it does not take away from the overall objectives.

10. Develop a level of commitment to the accomplishment of the task.

11. Divide the overall task into parts so that the group feels a sense of accomplishment from time to time.

12. Practice good problem-solving techniques.

13. Compliment people when the opportunity arises.

14. Seek to develop good communication within the group.

Conclusion

Unity is not uniformity. Unity is created a lot easier when believers sincerely love the Lord because they will keep His commandments (Matthew 22:36-40). The Word teaches that once someone truly loves God His love becomes complete and they develop a natural tendency to love others (Matthew 22:37-40; 1 John 2:3-6; 4-12). When believers are more focused on the task and not on their own spiritual development, believers soon begin to function in their own flesh which only leads to strife and dissension.

It is not that we do not need to develop the skills necessary to do ministry. It is that these skills are useless to the productive development of God's kingdom work when they are not empowered by the Spirit of God (1 Peter 4:10). Christ told His disciples that if they do not abide in Him they can do nothing (John 15:3-5). Paul continues this thought by telling us we are inadequate to do ministry without being equipped by the comprehensive Word of God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6; 2 Timothy 3:17; 2 Peter 1:3-4). "...So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1 Principles for Developing a United Leadership Team
• 2 United as One in Ministry: Managing Conflicts Biblically
• 3 Critiquing Each Other While Growing Together
• 4 Resolving Difficulties While Getting the Job Done
• 5 Identifying Christian Leaders for the 21st Century Church
• 6 Servant Leadership
• 7 Constructing a Cohesive Leadership Team
• 8 Creating and Implementing the Church's Vision as a Cohesive Leadership Team
• 9 Leadership Delegating Responsibilities for Effective Ministry Development
• 10 Leadership Working Together to Create a Loving Church Environment
• 11 Remaining Spiritually Fit as Leaders
• 12 Commitment Stimulates Great Leadership
• 13 A Biblical and Theological Definition of the Church
• In Closing