Jeff Van Wyk

Learning to lead in ministry for students Jeff Van Wyk

There is a great need for good leaders in the church today. Whenever there is a good leader, you will see development and prosperity. Every person who is called to ministry is called to leadership. A minister of the gospel has to demonstrate leadership ability at all times. In order to be effective and successful in leadership it is important to study leadership. Almost every negative situation within a ministry can be attributed to the lack of a good leader. A good leader in a church will lead the congregation to success and growth. One has to work hard to succeed as a leader which means working harder than those in subordinate positions. Jesus worked harder than His followers. He prayed while His disciples slept. True leaders are often left alone by their followers as they work long hours at night when everyone else is sleeping. Christian leadership can apply to any Christian, because all have been given a task with resources and abilities to accomplish God's will for their lives and His will for others. All Christians have a sphere of influence. Every Christian has also been given a spiritual gift, or special ability, to carry out their part in God's plan. Leadership is one of those gifts. Each believer is required to be a careful and responsible caretaker of that which has been entrusted to them. It involves activities that glorify God and represents God's Kingdom to all peoples on the earth today. Christian leadership involves actively spreading God's values through good example, persuasion, and influence. They skillfully plan, organize, and implement strategies to convince people to become followers of Christ. Christian leaders are taught by Jesus to serve rather than to control and manipulate others and to have the welfare of the people and God's purpose as their motivation. It must be remembered that spiritual leaders must give an account for the lives and spiritual wellbeing of their followers.