A Pentecostal preacher realizes his/her responsibility to the Word of God.  The Word must be our source for preaching (Colossians 1:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).  Thus, our preaching is God’s Word, not the preacher’s word.  But rather the preacher is:

• a messenger, not an originator
• a sower, not the source
• a herald, not the authority
• a steward, not the owner
• a guide, not the author
• a server of spiritual food, not the chef

Preaching is a most exacting discipline and an awesome responsibility.  We who are called must follow the example of the apostles and say, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables…we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:2,4).

We must determine not only the preaching idea but also clarify the purpose. The homiletical idea is the substance of what we want the sermon to say. The purpose describes what we want the sermon to do. The purpose answers why we are preaching this message and how we want people to respond.

In this stage, we build a structure for the story that will be told by our character. In order to prepare for this, we should outline the events of the story and decide how we will tell these events to clearly develop the central idea.

Organizing the narrative of the passage/story is like dividing the scenes of a movie or a play. When we tell the Biblical story we must use imagination in order to avoid redundancy and to add creativity. However, the chronology of our story must parallel the actual events in Scripture.

Our sermon will need enough historical and cultural information so that the sermon is appealing and interesting. The manuscript should be written in conversational language with short sentences. Use active verbs and concrete nouns.

Since stories are inductive, the idea of our sermon should usually emerge toward the end rather than at the beginning of our message. The introduction should raise a question or create some sort of tension that will have to be answered in the sermon. This tension gives energy to a first-person sermon.

In conclusion, we step out of the character or we allow the character to conclude. When we step out of the character at the end, we can make a direct application of the sermon with a quick closing.

• Structural Stance: Eliab travels forward in time to speak to the audience.
• Purpose: To help potential leaders to recognize how courageous they can be when they entrust themselves to God
• Idea: It takes faith and courage to be a leader of God’s people.

Matthew 2: 1-18

• Structural Stance: King Herod the Great is released from his torment in hell to tell his story to the pastor and congregation.
• Purpose: To help people understand the crucial issues surrounding the Christmas Holiday.
• Idea: Worship Jesus as Lord or reject Him, but do not ignore God reaching out to our life through Christ.

Luke 12: 15-21

• Structural Stance: The contemporary audience is transported back to the first century to hear the testimony of Joanna, the rich fool’s wife.
• Purpose: To help listeners understand how important it is to build our lives and our plans around God while at the same time, showing how dangerous it is to leave God out of our lives.
• Idea: Only fools leave God out of their lives.

 John 20: 1-8

• Structural Stance: The contemporary audience is transported back to the first century, a few weeks after the Resurrection. They become the ancient audience – followers of Jesus with whom Mary Magdalene share her testimony concerning Christ’s Resurrection.
• Purpose: To present the Gospel to non-believers to share their story and the Gospel.
• Idea: Jesus is alive, so go spread the Good News of the Gospel to a lost world.

These and other first-person expository messages with complete manuscripts are found in the book, It’s All in How You Tell It by Haddon W. Robinson and Torrey W. Robinson, Baker Books, 2003.

• Remember that appraisal of an event or a person determines our reactions, not someone else’s behavior or the event itself.
• Acknowledge that opinions/appraisals are our own.
• Accept that appraisals are subject to change based on new information or new thoughts and beliefs.
• Use all senses to gauge what is taking place around us and identify what we see and hear.  When we use all of our senses, we can more accurately appraise what has taken place.
• Get in touch with feelings or spontaneous emotional responses to interpretations and expectations.  Remember that feelings have outward manifestations and often drive certain behaviors.  We need to learn to identify the true emotions we feel in order to determine if our reactions are valid.

High quality self-awareness includes how we make appraisals, use our senses, manage our feelings, identify our intentions, and monitor our actions.  Developing high self-awareness requires practice and courage in order to step back and observe ourselves in action and evaluate the course we are navigating.

Self-discipline is the crowning fruit of the Spirit that must be cultivated and nurtured by believers.  Self-control or self-discipline is reproduced in the child of God by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  “For to me to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21).

In order to live the Christ-life, we must be totally committed to managing our emotions in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Self-control achieved through the fruit of the Holy Spirit is basic to managing our emotions.

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).

“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:2-3).

The apostle Paul was motivated by inner passion, not by great oratory or empty promises of fame.  Paul’s method of motivating people can be explained in identifying three (3) simple steps:

1. Set forth the truth plainly.  Paul wanted people to wrestle with clear facts not with guilt, fear, shame, or even possible reward.
2. Be direct and honest with people but do not manipulate.  We want people to be God-directed from deep inner commitment.
3. See personal relationships as the basis of ministry. Personal relationships spawn effective ministry because God-motivated people get excited about people, not programs.

• Create a positive and friendly atmosphere.
• Enjoy the fact that people are uniquely different.
• Stay focused on who you are, not what somebody else is.
• Keep looking to the future; not just the present or the past.
• Do not attempt to go beyond your capabilities or your responsibilities.
• Take an honest look at your goals and primary motivations.
• Guard against saying the negative things to yourself when frustrated, disappointed, or distressed.

Assertiveness and aggressiveness are not the same. Assertiveness is the ability to protect your own beliefs, opinions, rights, and desires along with demonstrating respect for the rights of others.

Aggressiveness disregards the needs of others and uses power or persuasion combined with some degree of hostility to achieve the desired goal.

Assertiveness is a positive and necessary way to respect your own thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and needs in a mutually benefiting style. Transactional Analysis (TA) would encourage a healthy approach that we say, “I am OK and you are OK.”

Suggestions for Assertiveness

• Clarify your position with important facts
• Seek to understand and acknowledge the other person’s position
• Repeat your position with consistency
• Defend your position with logic
• Strive for a compromise that brings resolution in a mutually satisfying way

Dynamic listening brings a high degree of self-awareness into the process of communication, as we address our own personal filters. Filters can often screen out or even transform the information we are receiving.

Personal filters need to be eliminated as much as possible or we will end up hearing only what we want to hear because of preconceived beliefs.

Dynamic listening helps you get underneath the surface of what someone says to hear the feelings that are really being expressed.

Criticism is hard to receive and usually hard for people to give. Criticism reveals how others view your behavior or work. People can benefit from criticism but it can also be extremely destructive to a person’s self-esteem and to relationships.

Criticism makes us feel vulnerable and usually makes us defensive. The effective use of criticism requires the skillful use of every component of good communication.

In giving criticism:

• Check your motive – is it to help?
• Choose the right time and place
• Protect the person’s self-esteem
• Emphasize improvement
• Show concern
• Manage your own emotions
• Clearly identify problems with examples
• List desired changes
• Always give some positive feedback
• Discuss acceptable solutions and positive benefits of change then end on a positive note

In receiving criticism

• Acknowledge that you can learn from criticism
• Listen carefully before saying anything
• Avoid immediate defensive responses by tuning in to your emotions
• Take a deep breath and go slow
• Accept responsibility for your actions
• Turn off listening filters
• Use self-disclosure statements
• Use assertiveness but remain positive and avoid defensiveness
• Watch how the giver of criticism is reacting to your responses
• Summarize the other person’s statements and show a willingness to change

The purpose of communication is to connect in a meaningful way. We use our self-awareness, self-control, listening skills, openness, attention, and willingness to handle criticism to achieve spiritual and emotional maturity in communicating, understanding, and connecting at the deepest levels of feeling and emotion.

Successful leadership communication means keeping our emotional perspective clear, anticipating peoples responses, remaining calm and controlled while calming an out of control person, and always demonstrating the love of God.

This style of behavior enables a person to establish warm, open, trusting relationships with people. Their altruistic nature makes them good at helping, encouraging, motivating, and supporting others. They like to work with people, especially in groups.

Opposite Style — Oppositional Critic

This style represents people who are also warm, caring, accepting of others, and strongly motivated to build close relationships with people. They are more people-oriented than task-oriented. They enjoy building long-term relationships and bonds of trust with people.

Opposite Style — Aggressive Manipulator

Achievers are highly motivated, goal oriented, organized people who tend to take responsibility for their own actions and choices. They work to achieve their own satisfaction and accomplishment. They believe that their personal effort counts and is essential in reaching their goals. Achievers tend to be critical thinkers who put their energy where it is most beneficial. They consider a broad number of alternatives when making decisions. They are good problem-solvers and decision-makers.

Opposite Style — Dependant Self-Doubter

The confident becomer is characterized by a positive self-esteem, a concern for growth, and a desire for personal fulfillment. They are highly motivated, spontaneous, committed, and decisive people who make decisions quickly. They are optimistic, self-confident, and enthusiastic. They are able to tolerate ambiguity and seek adequate information before making decisions or reaching conclusions. Confident becomers are self-empowered people who take control of their own life by setting objectives that are achievable in spite of difficulties or conflicts. They also seek to and demonstrate respect for other people’s opinions.

Opposite Style — Uncommitted Avoider

This scale measures our degree of commitment to forming and sustaining satisfying relationships. This style represents a need for social interaction and interpersonal contact. People who are high in this style tend to seek out, establish, value, and maintain close associations with others. These people tend to be most comfortable when among those with whom they have established strong emotional and social ties. Others tend to see them as warm, trusting, and socially skilled. They share their thoughts and feelings easily and help others to feel important and worthwhile.

Characteristics of a high score in this style:

• a tendency to value relationships above all else
• a need to build relationships that are meaningful and reciprocal
• have strong, well-developed interpersonal skills
• a tendency to motivate others using genuine praise and friendliness
• an appreciation for teamwork, cooperation, and mutually rewarding relationships
• a tendency to be considerate of other people’s feelings and to be tactful
• one basic weakness is that there can be a tendency to be so concerned about friendship that one can sacrifice getting results and making hard decisions

Characteristics of a low score in this style:

• a tendency to be reserved and detached
• others may find them difficult to approach
• difficulty in initiating and building satisfying relationships
• a tendency to avoid relationships due to fear of being hurt
• uncomfortable sharing feelings and thoughts and even suspicious of those who do
• others may find it hard to get to know them
• a lack of a strong network of friends
• could represent a primary concern with dominating and controlling others
• could be a highly defensive person

Opposite Style – Aggressive Manipulator

These are dominating, tough, and controlling people. They have an excessive need for power, recognition, or status. They become angry easily, have little confidence in people, resist new ideas, and seldom admit mistakes.

Power becomes the end, not a means to an end. This style often correlates with high stress and stress related medical symptoms.

Because they manifest little confidence in people, aggressive manipulators are not good at delegating. They are easily offended and can be exceedingly vengeful when wronged or challenged.

They tend to use manipulation to get what they want. Often their surface personality is that of a charming and highly persuasive extrovert.

People high in this style are proud, self-sufficient, and competitive. For them life and relationships are a game to be won. Relationships always suffer because these people are seen as conceited, arrogant, and egotistical.

This scale measures a way of thinking that is highly associated with personal effectiveness. High scores in this style usually indicate an interest in attaining high-quality results on challenging projects. Achievers are highly motivated to succeed by their own values and beliefs. They believe they can improve things and usually do not hesitate to act.

Achievers tend to find their work highly rewarding. They are most interested in getting the job done and doing it well. These individuals often possess the skills necessary for effective planning and problem solving. They make excellent leaders because they tend to share responsibility, inspire others, and build confidence—especially when they are high in encourager style (Style 1) and relationship builder (Style 2).

Characteristics of a high score in this style:

• a focus on achieving  a standard of excellence
• the belief that things have specific and definable causes; a lack of belief in luck or chance
• the knowledge that individual effort counts
• a commitment to making things better
• a preference for seeing and accomplishing realistic and attainable goals, rather than goals imposed by others
• a belief in the benefit of asking for and giving honest feedback
• encourage others to give their very best
• value and respect people who are innovative self-starters
• think for themselves
• a tendency to plan and look ahead
• good team leaders
• seek to live out their dreams
• usually know what they want
• like a challenge for the fun of it
• persist in the face of difficulty but are not rigid or compulsive
• fact-oriented and problem-solvers

Characteristics of a low score in this style:

• a lack of self-confidence
• under motivated
• under estimate potential to achieve
• may tend to feel helpless and lack control over their life
• could represent a dependant behavior style
• may be too compliant or passive
• insecure in confronting people
• follow but seldom lead
• a fear of rocking the boat
• could be a worrier, self-doubter, overly-cautious, excessively meek, and predictable person in relationships

Opposite Style – Dependant Self-Doubter

People with this style may be very compliant and very considerate because of a deep need for acceptance and attention. This style reflects fear and insecurity, which makes them easy targets for manipulators.

Major descriptions of this style are overly-cautious, self-doubting, eager to please, easily fooled, worried, poor leader, meek, and dependant on others.

People high in this style are better followers than they are leaders. They are usually nice people and easy to relate to because of their kindness and modesty. However, they tend to be worriers, self-doubters, overly-cautious, and predictable. Achievement goals are often a real threat to them because there are risks involved in establishing and following through on goals.

This scale measures a way of thinking that results in the highest form of personal fulfillment. It represents the process often called becoming self-actualized. This process is one of a high level of growth and maturity. This style is characterized by a high acceptance of self, others, and situations. These people are creative and imaginative. They are individualistic by nature and have a strong interest in becoming everything they are capable of being. They have a healthy self-worth and are good at understanding their own feelings and needs, as well as the needs of others. They are insightful and tend to be direct.

Confident becomers tend to enjoy life and are content. They do not normally need the approval or recognition of others in order to feel good about themselves. They are motivated by their own values and beliefs. They lead satisfying lives and handle stress well. They are open-minded and flexible when faced with logical, sound evidence. They are good judges of people and show respect to others.

Characteristics of a high score in this style:

• a concern for self-development
• a strong instinct and intuition
• a relative freedom of guilt or worry
• an energetic, exciting approach to life
• a strong desire to know about and experience things directly
• a high level of contentment
• are optimistic and enthusiastic
• a high self-confidence
• a healthy outlook
• respond, not just react, to life
• avoid involvement in the non-important
• put first things first
• are seen by others as successful and a happy/joyful person

Characteristics of a low score in this style:

• are under-achievers; not living up to their potential
• a low level of self-motivation
• a lack of contentment
• low self-esteem
• are insecure about their future
• a failure to take advantage of opportunities for personal growth
• lack curiosity
• are envious of those who seem content
• have limited interests
• lack spontaneity
• can be preoccupied with the past
• probably have low scores in Styles 1, 2, and 3
• sometimes feel overwhelmed by life’s problems
• experience negative health-related problems due to stress
• do not usually follow values and beliefs or their values and beliefs are not clear
• avoid making decisions
• behavior appears self-centered very often or most of the time
• carry unresolved guilt over past mistakes
• procrastinate and abdicate rather than delegate

Opposite Style – Uncommitted Avoider

This style represents a strong tendency to avoid threatening or challenging situations. These people fear life, avoid people, and put off doing tasks out of a fear of failure or insecurities.

These people often experience guilt and self-blame over past mistakes. Major descriptions of this style are tense and uneasy, avoid decisions and are evasive, shy and self-depreciating, easily upset and often manipulated, lack confidence, have poor people skills, have difficulty being accepted, and demonstrate little interest in reaching goals.

These people have poor relationships and seem to have strong inner conflicts that keep them focused on their own problems and fears. A lack of commitment and avoidance behavior makes it impossible to satisfy basic needs, build strong relationships, to be optimistic, or enjoy true personal fulfillment.

It is all too easy for spiritual leaders to use their positions and the people they serve in ways intended primarily to meet our own neurotic needs. The success and credibility of the church is threatened by leaders who follow the negative and destructive style of thinking and behaving. These failures of Christian leaders have created great cynicism within our culture toward the church.

The ability to overcome the negative styles and to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit is vital to effective ministry.

May God find all of us faithful in overcoming the dark side of negative and self-destructive styles of living.

High i’s are characterized by a desire for involvement with people. Typically, they are excellent communicators, using picturesque verbal imagery to express their ideas and feelings. In others, they produce reassurance and feelings of acceptance. They encourage others and demonstrate a caring attitude.

Description of a High i:

Someone with a high i style wants:

1. Popularity; social recognition
2. Noteworthy rewards
3. Public recognition of their abilities
4. People to talk to
5. Favorable working conditios
6. Group activities outside of job
7. Casual warm relationships
8. Freedom from control and detail
9. Approval and friendliness
10. Identification with others

Strengths to be used:

1. Optimism
2. Enthusiasm
3. Being personable
4. Making a good impression
5. Being verbally articulate
6. A desire to help others
7. Creating an entertaining climate

Weaknesses to be avoided:

1. Lack of follow-through
2. Over-estimating anticipated results
3. Misjudging capabilities
4. Talking too much
5. Acting impulsively
6. Jumping to conclusions
7. Over-committing

The high S is characteristic of an individual possessing incredible patience and constancy. Even in adversity, the high S has the tendency to be extremely loyal to friends or team members. The high S produces harmony and security in relationships. They are the people you can count on to be a true friend.

Description of a High S:

Someone with a high S style wants:

1. Status Quo
2. Security of situation
3. Covering references
4. Happy relationships
5. Simple, repeated procedures
6. Sincerity
7. Limited territory
8. Longer time to adjust to change
9. Genuine appreciation
10. Identification with others
11. Recognition for service
12. Opportunity to specialize

Strengths to be used:

1. Being supportive
2. Being agreeable
3. Loyalty
4. Self-Control
5. Consistency
6. Being a good listener
7. Performing established work patterns

Weaknesses to be avoided:

1. Resisting change
2. Trouble meeting deadlines
3. Being overly lenient
4. Procrastinating
5. Being indecisive
6. Holding a grudge
7. Lack of initiative

High C tendencies are characteristic of an individual who is committed to accuracy and quality control. High C’s pay close attention to details and procedures. They are committed to excellence and conscientiousness.

Description of a High C:

Someone with a high C style wants:

1. Known operating procedures
2. Limited exposure
3. Controlled environment
4. References, verification
5. Reassurance
6. No sudden or abrupt changes
7. Personal autonomy
8. Personal attention to their objectives
9. Selective involvement

Strengths to be used:

1. Orderliness
2. Conscientiousness
3. Discipline
4. Preciseness
5. Thoroughness
6. Being diplomatic with people
7. Being analytical

Weaknesses to be avoided:

1. Indecisiveness
2. Getting bogged down in detail
3. Rigidness on the how-to’s
4. Avoiding controversy
5. Low self-esteem
6. Being hesitant to try new things
7. Sensitivity to criticism
8. Pessimism

True spirituality in the child of God manifests itself in Christ-like character, behavior, and thinking. What made Jesus unique was that whatever style He expressed, it was the right one for the specific situation. As we look at the behavior of Jesus during the three and one-half years of His public ministry, we have observed something that can be said of no other person in history. Jesus was able to be both flexible in the temperament He projected and to always select the behavioral style that was exactly right for the situation.

As children of God, we must grow spiritually and emotionally so that our responses in life are consistent with the character of Jesus Christ. We need to transcend our natural tendencies. When old ways of responding/coping are inadequate, we need to shift from our usual responses into something highly unusual. This process is called transformation.

Paul said: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV).

Before we began a spiritual and personal relationship with Christ, the only resource for behavior modification available to us was sheer willpower. Some people have had a measure of success in changing unpleasant personality traits on their own, but in Christ, we have the divine source for experiencing change within us. Transformation ceases to be our responsibility alone and becomes our response to His divine ability to work in us. An example of each major personality type is as follows:

D –  The apostle Paul, who was a fiery high D learned that “My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 19:9a). Paul wrote, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. “ (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Paul made what has become one of the more incredible statements of a high D: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9b-10).

i  –    Simon Peter also went through a transformation that allowed him to rise above some natural tendencies of his personality style. When under pressure, Peter (the high i), would often say things he would later regret, or make commitments that he did not follow through. Peter became the diligent proclaimer of Christ who would not back down or deny Christ (Acts 4:8-12).

S  –   Abraham, a high S, manifested a spiritual transformation when God gave him the ultimate test, to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:2). The natural action for a high S in Abraham’s situation would be to avoid the situation or ignore the request. Instead of Abraham becoming distressed and pleading with God out of loyalty, Abraham did the following:

“So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. (Genesis 22:3, 9-10).

Abraham went against his “S” tendencies and risked obeying God. Abraham’s actions demonstrated that his faith was stronger than his fears.

C  –  Moses, the high C, who needed an environment that was controlled and safe, also experienced a transformation. Moses’ style was to closely follow the directions of the Lord and proceed cautiously. God revealed His glory to Moses and gave him the faith and courage to obey God.

God loves us as we are, but He also loves us too much to keep us that way. Spiritual growth, development, and transformation are truly God’s plan for us all.

In Part II of this presentation we will continue our study on Leadership Personalities by focusing on four primary position styles of leadership along with the opposite negative styles. This information will be based on the Life-Styles of Leadership Inventory (LSLI).

No other organization/movement in the world can do what God has called the church to do.  The church is Christ’s answer to putting His principles into action.  The Church is a servant of humanity.  The leader needs the attitude of a servant, but he/she must always remembers that he/she serves Christ by serving the church.  If he/she does not serve Christ, he/she will only hurt the church.  If we don’t want to serve, then we don’t want to be involved in local church ministry.  We serve God by serving His people.  The church today has too many celebrities and not enough servants.  If we lack a conscience easily touched, and if we are not concerned about having to give an account of our life to God, then we need to get out of the ministry.  We can become a self-centered people who use the church to create a comfortable place for ourselves and forget about serving others.

A leader must cultivate a ministry of love.  Anyone who goes into a leadership ministry with any motive other than love is destined for disappointment and defeat.  Some might go into the ministry to have authority and prestige, or to win the praise of men.  It is possible, like Jonah, to minister simply out of a sense of duty, and not really love either the God who sent us or the people who hear us.  That kind of ministry is only drudgery, and it eventually wears a man down.

Jacob is a role model for ministry of love.  “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her” (Genesis 29:20).  Love and love alone can transform sacrifice into joy and suffering into glory.  Love motivates us to do our best for Christ and for people.  Love helps us build people up and not exploit them for our own selfish purposes.  Love enables us to build up and not tear down.  Love helps us handle criticism and not fight back, or to receive praise and not get a big head.

We not only need a love for God and His people, but also love for a lost world.  A spiritual leader/minister is to be a soul winner.  He/she should always be sharing with the lost the truth of God’s love and grace.  We must not become a tongue-tied witness for Christ.  Andrew Bonar once confronted another preacher by asking, “You love to preach, but do you love the people you preach to?”  Some ministers get a big head and a cold heart.  Ours is to be a burning heart and humble spirit.  For love, not knowledge, makes us stand tall.  Knowledge without love is a weapon or a means of manipulation.  We need a lot of knowledge but a whole lot more of love.

A ministry that costs us little will be of little value and accomplish little.  If we have the heart and attitude of Christ, we will be a servant who makes sacrifices for God and His sheep (people).  The hireling hastens to easier pastures.  A true child of God is willing to pay a great price that others might be blessed.  Only those motivated by love will sacrifice for others.  In today’s “show business” approach to ministry, some ministers use their people to build their own personal kingdoms and their own security.  The only thing they know about sacrifice is how to spell the word.

The sacrifices we make today are investments in our future.  There are many joys in ministry but they are not joys purchased by the sacrifices of others.  They are heaven-sent joys that are the fruit of our own private Gethsemanes and Calvaries.

Some people live by the philosophy, “Take care of number one and walk on others if you have to.”  Some others live by the philosophy that we are to “submit to God’s authority and expect to be walked on by others on occasion.”

It seems that God always wants a person to be a servant before he/she becomes a ruler.  If a person is going to give orders, he/she must first learn how to take orders.  Nobody should exercise authority who has not first learned how to submit to authority.  We can find ministers who criticize and disobey church leaders, but then wonder why they have so many problems and get such little respect from those they serve.  If people see in us a critical spirit and a lack of respect for authority, they will criticize us and show disrespect to us.  Some ministers talk like nobody is good, honest, or smart but them.  Unless we humble ourselves and submit to God, we will never know His will or accomplish our potential.

Faithfulness has always been God’s key to success.  First faithfulness in a few things, and then enjoyment of many things.  First toil, then the joy of our Lord.  There is no shortcut to ministry, so don’t try to bypass submission.

It is important how we handle responsibility and it is also important how we handle privileges.  Some people never mature as they should and they use privileges for personal gain.  If we have not learned responsibility and accountability, we may abuse privileges.

Another evidence of submission is a holy unconcern over who is the greatest, over who gets the credit or the glory.  Ministers/leaders are to be submitted servants.

There are some very important principles of Christian leadership that must not be ignored.

• A servant attitude must be demonstrated.
• Traditional concepts are not to be blindly followed.
• Emphasis is placed as much on “being and doing” as on “knowing.”
• Manipulation and control of others is rejected.
• Those who lead are to lead in humility.
• Authoritarian attitudes are condemned.

The minister’s responsibility is to train, develop, and lead other people toward realizing their full potential in Christ.  Role models are important to people and people will look to us for an example, a model.  Therefore, leaders must possess and live by the proper motives.

God’s plan calls for everyone to be under the oversight of someone else.  There must be accountability.  There is a high attrition rate in the ministry because there is a lack of accountability, submission, and a lack of care, support, and training.  Every minister must find and take advantage of opportunities for growth and development in order to stay sharp and on-track with the vision God has for his/her future.

We are part of an eternal plan that climaxes with glory, and then continues gloriously forever.  Do not be short-sighted and forget that the purpose of salvation is the glory of God, not just our deliverance.

We are to be in the ministry for the glory of God, not for ourselves.  We are to do our best and leave the results up to God.  We are to examine ourselves and leave others in the hands of God.  We are to examine our motives and methods and give God the glory for all of our success.

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).  The answer to every church problem is prayer and the Word of God.  There are probably many keys to success in ministry but none greater than prayer and the Word of God.

Many churches today are living on substitutes — or are dying on substitutes.  Study God’s Word, hear His Word, and know His Word.  We must back up our life with prayer.  We must use the two spiritual tools of His Word and prayer the rest of our life, so we need to learn to handle them now!

We need the right perception about ministry and about ourselves.  See ourselves ever growing and learning.  Be a winner!  Be a man or woman who knows where we are going and how to get there.  Focus and concentrate on the goal.  Believe God for miracles and answers to prayer.  Look for solutions and never give up on ourselves, God’s people, or the vision God has given us.

The Pentecostal movement is stronger than ever!  The Church of God is moving forward and making a difference in this world.  Why?  Because the anointing of the Holy Spirit is on her.  Because we are going forth in the power of the Holy Spirit.

A Spirit-filled life is God’s plan for His people.  We must get our eyes off of the carnality around us and get right in the center of what God is doing and in the flow of His power.

Thank God for role models and mentors who guide us, challenge us, and motivate us.  We need people who will mentor us and set a good example before us.

We are supremely to be an imitator of Jesus Christ—to follow His example and model.  In doing so, we will become our own Christ-like person.  Not a copy of someone else but the wonderful product of models, mentors, and the touch of God on our lives and ministries.

“The difference between principles and rules is radical.  Rules can be made, and therefore broken.  Principles cannot be made and cannot be broken.  Rules are things of time.  Principles are matters of eternity.  Rules are accidental.  Principles are essential” (G. Campbell Morgan).

Thomas Jefferson said, “In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.”

We have looked at a number of key principles of ministry and leadership in the body of Christ.  Learning to live and guide our ministry by these principles will chisel off the rough edges of our faith and character.  Also, living by these principles will allow Christ to mold us and motivate us to grow.  Living by the right principles gives us a spiritual perspective to see earth’s trials and challenges from God’s point of view.  Principle-centered living makes our problem seem smaller as our conception of God becomes greater.  Principle-centered ministry builds our service upon the Rock.  A rock is formed by sand that is under pressure and heat.  Our ministries are to be founded upon the Rock, Jesus Christ, who will change us from instability to stability; from weakness to strength; from temporary to permanent.

If we build our ministry on Biblical principles, we will stand firm through all the storms of life.