It has a price. As I talked about this weekend (The Price of Leadership) we will have a tough road to becoming a spiritual leader in whatever circle of relationships God has you in.
I want you to know my prayer during the “Take Me to Your Leader” series has been for God to stir each of you to step into leadership in a new way. Dream of the impact if a thousand of us step into spirit leadership at the schools we attend, or the neighborhoods we live in, or the sports teams we play on, or the Governments we live under, or the work places we go to and the families we are a part of! It could change the atmosphere of C.N.Y.
I also pray that many of you will step up into leadership in this church as small group leaders or parts of a ministry team. As we start a 3rd Sunday morning service at the Syracuse site we will need new safety and hospitality leaders, new prayer team leaders and new host team captains. As we go for 10 new congregations in the next 10 years God will call many people into new levels of leadership in the Vineyard.
I am excited to see how God does all this. As He expands this community of Faith, He will expand our personal calling. Hang on for the ride!
Below is a list of our leadership requirements. Give me some input on them.
The Vineyard Church – Leadership Requirements
“…take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Phil 3:17
“…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
1Timothy 4:1
“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands…” 1Timothy 5:22
1. Be growing in relationship with Jesus Christ and holiness of life.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
“The overseer must be above reproach…” 1Timothy 3:2
“Humble yourself under God’s might hand and He will lift you up in due time.”
2. Be loyal to my pastoral leadership and vision.
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as
men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy,
not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17
“…stand firm with one common purpose.” Phil 1:27
3. Be committed to, comfortable with, and moving in, Vineyard values and style.
“Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church…
Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Cor 1:10 (LB)
“Pattern after me…as I imitate and follow Christ.” 1 Cor 11:1
4. Giving regularly and growing to a tithe.
“Anyone who receives instruction in the word
must share all good things with his instructor.” Galatians 6:6
“The worker deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:17
“Bring the whole tithe into the store house…” Malachi 3:10
5. Have completed the Vision Class, Discovery Class, and the Leadership Training Class.
“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still…” Proverbs 9:9a
“Train a (Spiritual) child in the way he should go, and when he is old
he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
6. Be a partner at The Vineyard Church
“For we are partners working together for God . . . “ 1 Cor. 2:9 (TEV)
7. Be part of a small group.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“They devoted themselves to … the fellowship.” Acts 2:42
8. Be coaching someone into ministry/leadership.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses
entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Tim 2:2
I was excited to hear that you were going to post the Vineyard’s leadership requirements—-so I logged on a couple of nights ago and saw that you “asked’ for input on them. I was surprised to see no comments and I wondered if you wondered why no one responded? Now, 2 days later, nothing still. And I wondered again, if you look and are waiting or expecting responses or do the requirements just speak for themselves? Then it came to me—-that leaders do not always get credit where credit is due! There are times when leaders do not get the gratification of the work they do—it is hidden within the people being led. But, the people don’t always share the positives, the effectiveness and outcomes of the work being done by the leader. Measurement of a job done will not always be immediate. This must be extremely challenging, at times lonely, and surely can leave even the strongest in question! Not a walk in the park—-but when the rewards of a leader in Christ do come—they have to be priceless!
So, maybe it is the season, or maybe the requirements have just left everyone speachless!! Ha! The time has come again to look back on what has been done over the last year —send it out—and welcome another ——- I wanted to take a minute to thank you John, and your staff! Praise the Lord for you and your family! You truly are a blessing sent from God! And you will be known by your works—and they will come—the fruit of the tree has dropped—and new trees are now growing—and that is from the work that YOU do through the Holy Spirit—Our Father God—and in the name of His One and Only Son Jesus Christ!! Amen for you—have a very merry Jesus Birthday!
PS—you didn’t really “ask’ for input—you said “give” me some! Two completely different things—I just had to acknowledge that!
I think you make a good point about the rewards. And thanks for your encouragement! ( i was surprised that this didn’t get more feedback)