Leadership is an attitude, it is a lifestyle. And while that attitude and lifestyle must be cultivated, I believe that it is possible that by the end of reading this blog post, YOU can become the leader that God needs you to be. (That's right, God needs you to be a leader!)
But, before we ever get started dealing with how to become the effective leader in your specific ministry (and I'm not just talking to those of us who have the immense blessing of being paid to preach the Gospel and help a congregation function, ministers are anyone who has been baptized into Jesus Christ and had their sins forgiven), we're going to have to answer a few vital questions that will become the basis of our journey together to better leadership and making the word "Minister" more than a title.
1. What is Leadership?
"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things (in worship, LMS) be done for edification."
- 1 Corinthians 14:26
2. Who are God's Leaders?
"Let your women keep silent in the churches (i.e. worship gatherings, LMS) for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church (i.e. a worship setting, LMS)."
- Corinthians 14:34-35
But, that doesn't mean that those of the fairer sex, women, aren't able to be leaders in God's Kingdom. It just means that the ways in which males and females lead are going to have to be different. My wife is, in my opinion, a perfect example of a female leader in the church, even on Sundays! The vast majority of things that are done to make sure that the congregation's worship goes off without a hitch and that it is able to edify those in attendance are done by her. Opening the doors, turning on the lights, straightening up, making the Lord's Supper, making sure the song books are available, welcoming visitors, speaking to members, encouraging the young children to pay attention, and the list goes on and on.
Ladies, never think that because you are not allowed by God to have an official leadership position during the worship of the church or to be elders of His body, that you can't be a leader!
Men, step up, man up and stand up ready to lead your congregation if you are needed!
3. What Can I Do RIGHT NOW While I'm Preparing to Lead?
So men, how can we lead the church in worship while we are fulfilling our obligations to get ready to lead in the official roles? It's quite simple. So simple in fact that I'm not going to take up my time or your time to explain it very much... BE AN EXAMPLE. That is to say, make sure that you are preparing yourselves and while you're doing that others will see and will be encouraged to do the same. Sure, you don't know how to effectively lead singing yet, so while the church is singing make sure that you are making the hand motions in your seat (don't over do it, but practice). If you can't preach yet, you better be paying attention when those that can are. If you don't know what passages to read or what to say to prepare people's minds for the Communion, you better be looking for those answers. If you do those things, you will be the leader that God wants you to be right now.