Characteristics of Effective Leaders

Thom Rainer

Through his research of breakout leaders in churches across the country, pastor Thom Rainer complied a list of ten characteristics of effective leaderships which he illustrates in depth. These breakout leaders have a long-term perspective, an eagerness for personal evangelism, and confident humility. They are people who keep focused, who are obviously passionate, who take feedback, and who loves others unconditionally. They are people of hope and promise who understand life's brevity. These leaders take their ministry seriously but don't take themselves too seriously. It is these characteristics that are observed in the men and women who have emerged as servant leaders in God's church.

Leading Home Group Evangelism

Doug Patch

In order to lead our home groups toward consistent and effective evangelism, we must first convince home group members of God's mission for the church, which is to reach the lost and disciple the saved. We ourselves must own this and model this in our daily lives, showing personal commitment in this area. We want to draw attention to the right motives behind evangelism and help equip our people to effectively reach people themselves. Prayer too is a powerful weapon. While we need to emphasize each member having a burden for this, we also want to ensure the structures of our Bible study put non-believing friends and family at ease when they visit. This would include the environment, comfort of the room, meeting times, available food, and avoidance of strictly Christian language.

Raising Up Student Leaders

Jess Lowery

Hebrews 5:14

As a leader in the college ministry at Xenos, Jessica Lowery has a lot of experience training and raising up young leaders. Looking at Luke 10, Jessica points out several principles Jesus used in his own discipleship ministry. She discusses the importance of things like giving direction, casting vision, and setting goals. The session ends in a group discussion regarding issues specific to young people and ideas on how to help them wade through these issues.

The Calvary Chapel Model for Equipping Leaders

Carl Westerlund

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Carl Westerlund from Calvary Chapel discusses the structure and focus of this church's leadership building. Carl describes the difference between servants and stewards, and emphasizes the responsibility that stewards or leaders of the church have. This requires strong character and integrity. In this church, there is a large focus on teaching throughout the week and sending people to build up their own churches, exercising authority there.

The Vineyard Model for Equipping Leaders

Steve Robbins

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

The Vineyard Model for equipping leaders focuses on several key areas. One of these is emphasizing well-rounded discipleship, approaching the need for compassion, evangelism, integrity, and so on in the disciple's life. Another large focus is on effective teaching and training at the in-depth level. The church trains members on actual pastoral experiences that will arise, not only academics. Along with this, members receive training within the local church, learning together in community and integrating both classroom and real-world experiences. This offers a more streamline equipping that is not disconnected from the local church or regular pastoral needs.

Raising Interest in Servant Leadership

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:11-12

Raising up leaders in the church started with the first church and is something we can do today. The members of the church are fully capable of becoming leaders. This is accomplished through discipleship and leadership promotion. There are seven conditions that help promote leadership: 1) setting vision; 2) insisting on Spirit-chosen people; 3) holding leaders in honor, accountability, and discipline; 4) replicating discipleship; 5) making the goal service; 6) having a clear pathway to leadership; 7) forming leaders into teams.

The Xenos Model for Equipping Leaders

Jim Leffel

Mike Sullivan

2 Timothy 2:2

In raising up leaders, the goal is to not undernourish or overwhelm. This presentation walks through Xenos' adult education program both inside and outside the classroom. Inside the classroom, there is a Biblical emphasis on in-depth training for significant ministry roles and cultivating a love for the Word. Based on 2 Timothy 2:2, Xenos trains people who will be faithful to train and teach others, and these classes are agile in order to balance the demands of ministry while providing an equipping program that successfully prepares leaders. Outside the classroom, discipleship is the catalyst and format through which leaders teach and train believers on biblical literacy, personal ministry, and character growth.

How to Lead When You're Not a Natural Leader

John Cleary

2 Timothy 1-4

While the Bible gives some examples of gifted leaders, Christians do not have to have the gift of leadership in order to hold the office of leadership. In 1st and 2nd Timothy, Paul describes important character qualities and actions that must be present in those who lead, while omitting the necessity for gifting. Paul presents six key things for the office of leadership. These include: being an example of godly character, explaining and applying God's Word, exercising one's own gifting in the context of one's own group, shepherding one's flock with high support and high challenge, staying focused on the mission, and developing future leaders.

The Art of Leadership (Part 2)

Jill Briscoe

Philippians 3:12-14

Through Paul's letter to the Philippians, we see Paul not let his circumstances dictate his mood. He allows God to put courage into him and accept the unacceptable. Paul demonstrates servant leadership, modeling Christ. He presses on and is obedient, leading to liberty. He shows us that if you want to be big, learn to be small. And that when we minister we must remember that we are dead to sin and to let God give us our throne.