Is God Calling You Into Leadership at the Vineyard?

by Rich Nathan

There is a crisis of leadership in 21st century America. The crisis of leadership can be seen in corporations and Wall Street where business leaders have used their position to award themselves insane salaries, rather than pursue the long-term benefit of the businesses they lead. There is a crisis of leadership in politics. The politician who flip-flops according to the latest poll results has become a common type in America. There is a crisis of leadership in the family. Radical self-centeredness prevents parents from taking the time and effort to lead, much less care for their own children. At every level in our society there is a crying need for leadership-in our educational system, in our athletic departments, and in our churches.

Our society does not need another group of "talking heads" that offer us the latest wisdom from the media elite. Nor do we need paid consultants who for some exorbitant fee offer us a "quick fix" for what ails us. Our society needs men and women who will exercise biblical leadership to influence people in finding God's will in a world of crisis and despair. God, himself, describes the dearth of leaders in Ezekiel's day this way: So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one (Ezekiel 22:30). I believe God is seeking men and women today who will help rebuild walls of protection and safety in families, in churches, in schools, in businesses, and who will fill the gap-gaps of integrity, love, and prayer in their respective spheres of influence.

What is a leader?

The ultimate understanding of leadership in the Vineyard is simply this: leaders are servants who influence other individuals or groups for their good and for the accomplishment of God's will. New Testament leadership is not flashy public relations, or charismatic personality, but humble service. God's work is carried on by spiritual power, not personal magnetism, as Paul clearly pointed out in Corinthians 1:26-31. Some leaders may serve by teaching the Word and others may serve tables, but all leaders serve for the purpose of accomplishing other people's good and God's will.

The heart of spiritual leadership is service, not domination. Leaders are not headmasters or controllers, but ministers. According to 1 Peter 5:3, Leaders must be eager to serve, not lording it over (their followers). Leadership is always under the Lordship of Christ and exists for the express purpose of serving the church, equipping God's people for works of service, and facilitating their ministry to the world. In every instance, leadership is exercised for the good of others.

What Are Not Prerequisites for Vineyard Leadership?

Many people disqualify themselves from leadership in the church because they are mistaken regarding what are the essential prerequisites for leadership.

1. Leadership does not require a particular set of gifts. For example, a small group leader should be "adequate" in teaching and administration. But each person who leads has been given his or her own set of unique gifts, skills, creative talents, and weaknesses. Leaders do not have to have the same set of gifts as Billy Graham, the senior pastor, or anyone else.

2. Leaders do not have to have a certain type of personality. Friendliness, warmth and a love of people are essential. But as good personality tests like Myers-Briggs indicate, effective leaders can vary significantly in personality. Peter was not John and the apostle John was not Paul or Barnabas. Yet all were leaders.

3. Leaders do not have to have a certain style of leadership. Style is a product of several factors including the personality and temperament of the leader, the size and needs of the group that are being led, and the stage at which the group is in its development.

What are the Prerequisites for Leadership?

1. Has God given you a desire to influence someone else, or to influence a group for good and for the accomplishment of God's will? Nothing can replace a God-given desire to bring good and God's will into another person's life. That desire may be to do good for the homeless, for teenagers, for the disabled, or for a group of men or women. Do you have a God-given desire to produce good?

2. Do you demonstrate Christian maturity? Is your lifestyle consistent with what you profess to believe? Do you exhibit self-control? Do you have a good reputation, not only among other Christians, but also among those who do not yet know Christ? Is your doctrine sound?

3. Have you seen God use you to bring about good and the accomplishment of his will in other people's lives? Does it seem to you that God has given you influence among others?

4. Are you a member of the Vineyard? Are you in a small group and committed to the purposes of our small groups and the purposes, vision, and practices of our church?

If you can honestly answer the questions above "yes," I want to invite you into leadership here at Vineyard. If your heart is to lead a small group, why not contact Bill Christensen, our small groups pastor, about participating in small group leadership training? If it is your desire to lead women, contact Marlene Nathan about getting women's group leadership training. If your desire to lead concerns children, you may contact Linda Heselton; middle schoolers-Kerry Davis; high school students-Jeff Augustine; young adults-Eric Pickerill; working with the poor-Dan Franz; working with those who have AIDS or are HIV-Positive-Sharon Fryer; worship-Michael Hansen; helping with marriages-Ron Hitchcock; and peer counseling-Linda Bradshaw.

There is a crying need for leaders in the Vineyard. Will you pray about whether God is calling you to lead?