The Plumbline Of Leadership

Leadership. Everybody wants to be one or be under a good leader. So, what exactly defines a good leader? Titus 1: 5-9 gives a simple picture into the qualities of a good leader.

The first thing Paul admonishes Titus to do is to appoint leaders in every town.
Leadership is appointed authority. It is not appointed dictatorship. Leading has to do with the art of delegating responsibilites, not dropping them and never providing any insight.

Leaders are committed to their families. This is a huge point that cannot be stressed enough. The Lord told me that Family is the first model of the Church. It is the picture of The Bridegroom (Christ) and the Bride (Church) and the fruit that is produced out of Oneness (More Children of God).

The Lord posed this question to me: If the spouses and children of leaders were the determining factor in whether they would be licensed for minstry work or appointed to a position, would the leaders we now have in place still be there? Good question. I believe you are no greater in your ministry life than you are in your family life.

Will children go their own way? Certainly. But the Word of God says it is the responsibility to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. There are many who simply give their families leftover time, prayer, fellowship and pour themselves out to the detriment of the family unit. The nation of Israel's strength was not determined by the size of their army but by the number of families. Families show the strength of a community. We must as leaders recognize that family time is just as important as sermon preparation.

Paul gives some defining qualities of Leaders. Check them out:

• able to be a model
• not pushy
• not short-tempered or impatient
• not addicted to substances
• not a bully
• not in it for the money
• welcoming to people
• helpful and willing to help
• wise
• fair and doesn't play favorites
• can't be bribed or brown-nosed
• respects God's house, presence, and values human life and creation
• sober-minded
• sound in Bible doctrine
• knows how to oppose false teaching without losing true seekers
• knows how to speak out on what makes for sound doctrine
• demonstrates love
• joy is evident
• expresses peace in difficulty
• patience with others
• kindness and speech and behavior
• goodness towards others
• faithfulness to promises and tasks
• gentleness with others
• self-control in actions and words

Well, how did you measure up to the Word? I encourage you as a leader, to do self-checks as often as you groom. Spiritual grooming allows us to be ready to face a Hope-Hostile World. The plumbline is not the one we set but it is what will settle every argument and silence nay-sayers. It is set by God and
is the plumbline that will remain when all else fails!

Blessings!