"REAL Leaders, LEAD By EXAMPLE!"

The Grio/Mastery Series (Interview w/ Charles D. King, MACRO, CEO)

https://www.staymacro.com

Leadership Qualities Charles exemplified:

• Humility
• Gratefulness
• Deference
• Openness
• Investment
• Thoughtfulness
• Confidence

LEADERSHIP REALMS:

• Political (Public Service)

• Professional (White Collar)

• Practitioners (Blue Collar)

• Pulpits (Clergy)

**The Christian leader is one who follows Christ and inspires others to follow Him as well. Under the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Christian leadership is ministry, not management. Those whom God designates as leaders are called not to be governing monarchs, but humble slaves; not slick celebrities, but laboring servants. Those who would lead God's people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness. Jesus Himself gave us the pattern when He stooped to wash His disciples' feet, a task that was customarily done by the lowest of slaves (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has a right to think of himself as a bigwig."

The word servant in Matthew 20:27 means "slave." Not every servant was a slave, but every slave was a servant. It is sad commentary in the church today that we have many celebrities but very few servants. There are many who want to "exercise authority" (Matthew 20:25), but few who want to take the towel and basin and wash feet. Paul reminds us that our attitude is to be like Christ's in that we consider others better than ourselves and do nothing out of vanity or selfishness. Rather, we look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3–4). In this sense, then, every Christian is a servant.

The focal point of servant leadership within the church is "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:12). This means, with Christ being the head of the church, the entire church body is served in the act of providing leadership. It's not just the church leaders who become acutely aware of their place at the foot of the cross but all those within the body of Christ. We all mutually submit ourselves to Jesus just as He was in submission to the Father. From a biblical perspective, servant leadership frees the church of the abuse of power and coercion and promotes mutual respect and love for one another.

A servant leader seeks to invest himself in the lives of his people so that, as a whole, the church community is challenged to grow to be more like Christ. This is demonstrated in the leader's willingness to give of himself to meet the needs, but not necessarily the wants, of his people. Like a good parent, the true servant leader knows the difference between the needs of his spiritual children and their selfish wants and desires.

The bottom line to the application of servant leadership is that we don't emulate the examples of the world; our example is Jesus, who came as a servant. Therefore, our mission is to serve one another, to give of ourselves. Christ came to give His life. We are to give of our lives not only in service to Him but to our fellow man, including those in the church and outside it (Mark 12:31).

>> "The" Strategic Question for impacting Leadership Realms or Domains from the Leadership Qualities listed above..<<

ISSUES TO CONFRONT:

• Leadership Masquerades (Pretense/Acting)
• Leadership Vacuums (Gaps/Voids)
• Leadership Continuums (Progressive/Intentional)
• Leadership Development (Evolution/Formation)
• Leadership Productivity (Efficiency/Fruitfulness)

AskPastorWalter Blog: "Leadership Vacuums": The Threat & The Opportunity

https://www.askpastorwalter.com/2011/10/leadership-vacuums-threat-opportunity.html?m=1

Complementary Blogs:

https://www.askpastorwalter.com/2015/06/im-here-to-help-wwwws-3com.html?m=1

https://www.askpastorwalter.com/2013/06/walters-interview-detail-for-what-i.html?m=1

• NOTES: The current economic climate worsens things for the black church and community, only because "the growing needs and dwindling resources" have multiple affects and impacts in cyclic waves, upon all disadvantaged and poor economic (urban) community environments.

Politically (shifting budgetary focuses and regulatory changes diminishes the voice of the poor - politicians tend to follow the $).

Socially (greater burdens of responsibility and outreach efforts by faith-based institutions occurring during the "tough times", leads to greater tension between those opposed to religion in the public square).

Economically (churches have 99% of their budgets solely based upon the free will giving of its members. Any financial burdens of its parishioners directly impacts the church. Amongst black churches, the disproportionate unemployment rate has an even greater burden.)

Spiritually (though churches should not be totally dependent upon the world system and its mode of operating as its only source of provision) theological differences on prosperity doctrines, and "stewardship", from the standpoint of the Kingdom of God - or God's Economy, must be priority in the thinking of black church leaders.

Our Mandate:

• #1. The Great Commission - GO! - Because many churches no longer walk in authority or have dominion (righteous influence and reach) into the heart of our communities through strategic prayer and evangelistic outreach, Satan is able to maintain a dominating influence in the hearts of the masses. The next "great revival won't be in our church-buildings, but in our families, homes and surrounding communities that sing the praises of the impact and influence of the "engaged church" (which is real, relevant and relational) upon their lives; whether their active "church goers" or not. 

• #2.  The Great Commandment - LOVE! - The "one commandment" to obey (in our New Testament reality) is LOVE, and we're sorely lacking in our love for one another, as we permit "the accuser" to use us to create dissidence and division amongst ourselves?!? And, until we have a genuine love that challenges the world to truly see us as "HIS disciples", we'll partially impact the world that defines love as a tolerant approval of whatever we want - whenever we want it! While our hatefulness and judgment towards one another - shouldn't even exist, accountability, correction and church discipline is just as much "God's love" as forgiveness, prayerfulness, and watchfulness is! 

• #3.  The Great Exchange - RECONCILE! - We're called to reach beyond every societal line of difference or distinction, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. God delivered "you", so you'd become a "deliverer" - to go right back into the "gutters from wince you've come" victoriously without fear! 

• #4.  The Great Community - BUILD! (The Kingdom of God) -The corporate "shield of faith" has "gaps", because of disunity, denominationalism, and spiritual deadness (unwilling to leave the "four walls mentality") that rarely seeks the greater good of the community of faith; but singularly focused on their particular church, ministry and membership! Jesus provides the basis for what "true prophetic engagement" should look like, and if we are failing to act in accordance with God's Word, as a "counter-cultural force" - full of light, love and truth; we're NOT truly fulfilling the mandate of Jesus Christ at all!