being a leader vs. becoming a leader...

THE CLASS THAT NEVER ENDS...
Leaders are not created overnight. A leader is developed over a life-time. An ongoing process of learning and unlearning yields a greater effectiveness in the life and ministry of a leader on into the lives of future generations. Examples of this are found throughout Scripture:

Jesus - Luke 2:52; 6:40; Matthew 7:15-27
Jesus himself matured physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually throughout his lifetime. A natural process of physical growth coinciding with mental, spiritual and character development ensued. Like Christ, a leader (person of influence) must intentionally oversee their process of healthy development over the course of their lifetime, which I refer to often as, “The balance that makes them blossom.”

David – Psalm 78:70-72
David was anything but perfect, but he Biblically rises to a prime example of what God can do in and through leaders who humbly admit their wrongs and attempt to apply the lessons of their own failings. From the humble way in which God selected David from the sheepfolds (v. 70) to his effective leadership qualities being summed up in verse 72 as, “Integrity of heart,” and the, “skillfulness of his hands;” David’s entire life was spent in the school of divine leadership as he cooperated with the leading of God’s Spirit by being a man after God’s own heart.

Daniel – Daniel 1:3-20
Daniel’s lifelong development involved physical, mental and spiritual growth. Like David, Daniel’s journey was one navigated by his heart, “…and Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself…” May this be a warning for all of us who are tempted in the daily duties as a leader to neglect the real contents and condition of our heart? I am prompted continually by the Holy Spirit to question the motives of my heart in all I say and do. History shows us that good and bad leadership flows from the heart.

NT Leaders – Acts 6:3-4, 9-10
Throughout the New Testament the standard was set for effective, anointed leadership. The standard has never been lessened: Integrity, good reputation, full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. These qualities are not attained overnight. They are lived out among the believers and non-believers. Being saved by faith does not make us “full of faith,” like Stephen in Acts 6. The disciplines of prayer, application of God’s Word in every aspect of our life, and dying to our own will and way are daily practiced throughout a lifetime.

I had a professor once tell me that 80% of all the leaders in Scripture did not finish well. I have not been able to take the time and do a detailed study to see if that is accurate, but the time I have spent in the Word tells me it is more than likely sadly, dead on. The Bible, over and over again, proves that the most impactful spiritual leaders continued to grow and develop throughout their entire life. Through success and failure, their ministries stand as living examples of practical and complex leadership issues in the developmental stages. So if you are a person of influence (a leader) in any way, shape or form... relax in the fact that you are in a "process" of becoming a good leader. You don't have to be perfect by tomorrow. But cooperate daily with the work of the Holy Spirit in your life and enjoy "becoming" more of what you're meant to be as you influence those around you...