TUL620 URBAN POOR MOVEMENT LEADERSHIP

Qualities of Movement Leaders (Source of Leadership Capital)

Leadership Capital pdf

Men are God's method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men... What the church needs today is not better machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Spirit can use... the Holy Ghost does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men. (E.M. Bounds. Power Through Prayer).
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One perspective on studying Leadership is to study the qualities of the leader, their personal dynamics. We may examine - their gifts, calling (vocation), anointing, character, skills, and capacity. Such an approach meshes well with the Biblical narratives.

 

Employing diverse terminology and approaches, scholars have so far identified a number of traits that movement leaders share. We synthesize these views under the concept of “Leadership capital.”

Gifts

At birth we inherit some characteristics from our forefathers. These become the basis for our Leadership. As we walk with the Holy Spirit, he adds to these spiritual gifts. These become evident to those around us, who affirm and appoint us to roles appropriate to those giftings. Movement Leadership has to do with the five Leadership (eldership) giftings of Eph 4: 11, 12, plus that of a the gift of deacon, as these are developed into broad spheres of operation. We will do some analysis of these giftings with a 5 Fold Gifts Questionnaire. Heschel in the Prophet gives a biblical exegesis on the prophetic role which complements Max Weber's theories on the prophetic. Wagner teaches on Apostolic Ministry as mega-church pastor, basing his exegesis on athority, an approach rejected by most apostles.

Calling (Vocation)

The gifts and call of God are irrevocable (Rom 11:29). These two are entwined together. Where he calls, he gifts. The call is that driving sense of long-term destiny usually involving a direct encounter with God. The vocation is the long disciplines day by day in the direction of that calling. The call is often an experience of great depth and significance, an encounter directly between God and his man or woman. Examine Luther and Calvins concepts of vocation.

Anointing

God gives a particular empowerment of his Spirit on us related to our calling. It is not something of our making but supernatural. At times this may be imparted from another with spiritual gifts.

Character

What are the essential character qualities that differentiate movement leaders from others? Discuss.

Greenleaf builds his whole theory of Leadership around the theme of servanthood. Business leaders have come up with 9 qualities of Leadership but these fall far short of the Biblical model.

Click here to view responses from others.

Among all the unverified lists there is one verified study that stands out, a study of Meekness as the quality of level 5 leaders developed by Jim Collins in Good to Great. I use the phrase meekness to descibe his twin qualities of humulity and unwavering resolve.

Skills

Many of the principles of Leadership involve learned skills. This often begins with technical expertise in an area of Leadership or ministry. Step by step we add to our toolbox of skills, a piece there, a skill there. Till eventually we have a breadth of skill for whatever circumstance. The following is one set of analysis of outstanding Leadership skills: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2010/dec/08/Leadership-voluntary-sector-difficult-times. Here is an A-Z of characteristics of Entrepreneurs

Capacity

Capacity is a measure of the breadth of respnsibility we are capable of carrying. The scriptures tell us to have a sane estimate of our capacities. Some are called, gifted and have the capacity to lead at a local church level, some to the community, some to a movement, some to the city, some to a nation, some internationally. The gifts function at each level but in different ways. Lives of leaders can be mapped along a timeline.

Resource Building

The context, people and financial resources determine the extent to which the above characteristics become effective. These are often built up over long periods of time, or a leader may be appinted to a senior Leadership role of an existing resource base, having shown stewardship at a simmilar level.

Learning Objectives of this unit

Students will understand the diversity that contributes to Leadership Capital - character, style, skills, capacity, personality - and envision processes for personal developement of their capacity.

Readings