TITLE: Leadership and team building By Bill Ebert 12/19/04 |
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It is typically held that leaders do not mingle with employees, officers do not fraternize with enlisted men and captains of starships do not reveal their weaknesses to the crew. These are all systems set in place by our society to make leadership "less messy". Though this concept does make for a smoother running organization, it also kills the very life flow of what ministry, discipleship and Christian community was to supply. This way of thought breeds dictatorship-style leaders and prohibits some of the very finest of people from reaching the potential God has called them to.
An array of comments from many denominational backgrounds express the need for the Body of Christ to become fitly joined together, become trained to do the work of the ministry and know those they labor among. These terms are universally accepted, but the definition and application of these principles vary so much that clarification is needed to have the practical application, which leads to lasting fruitfulness.
Jesus established five-fold ministry for the perfecting of the saints so that they would become co-laborers in building His Church. In many of the following examples, I chose building terms because of the continual reference in scripture to building and its processes: Jesus is referred to as The Cornerstone and we know Him as The Great Carpenter. Apostles and Prophets are depicted as the foundation and as foundation layers. Paul referred to himself as a wise master builder, and scripture states clearly that God is building a habitation.
Eph 2:20-22 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
We all desire to see lasting fruit for the kingdom of God. Supernatural Personnel is written to help establish proper authority and kingdom principles that will help resolve inevitable conflicts and to redefine the purposes and need for team ministry.
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