Case Studies in Biblical Leaders

When you think of Charismatic leadership, who comes to mind?

What makes a person a “charismatic” leader?

The term “charismatic leader” was coined by Max Webber. He wasn’t using the word charismatic in a religious way, but a secular way, referring to someone gifted at creating and communication a vision, and drawing followers for a course of action or goal.

The strengths of charismatic leadership

1. Can gain a following

2. Can earn committed followers

3. Can communicate a compelling vision

Weaknesses of charismatic leadership

1. Can gain a large following for a faulty vision

2. Can let their passion exceed their ability

3. Can be susceptible to pride and arrogance

God Called MosesWhen the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”And Moses said, “Here I am.” (Ex. 3:4, NIV)

“When God calls individuals to a specific task, that task tends to be God-sized.”

God Called Moses to a God Sized Task

And the Lord said . . . “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Ex. 3:10, NKJV).

As a charismatic leader, Moses accepted the challenge and eventually gained a following out of Egypt.

After some persuading, Moses marched down to Egypt and told the Pharaoh to let God’s people go.

Moses boldly challenged the status quo and called for a significant change in keeping with the nature of his call.

1. Spend time with charismatic leaders. Elmer Towns says, “Just as heat transfers from the coals to the poker, so the qualities and attitudes of effective leadership are assimilated.”

2. Get some practical ministry to experience that will equip you to implement your vision. Everyone wants to follow a successful leader.

3. Improve communication skills. Joseph Conrad claimed, “Give me the right word and the right accent, and I will move the world.”

4. Take time to learn and apply spiritual disciplines that will result in personal growth in your relationship with God.

5. Take inventory to determine your personal strengths and weaknesses.

The downside of charismatic leadership is that it can cause people to follow the wrong leader, for the wrong reasons, in the wrong direction.

http://www.inc.com/brian-evje/three-dangers-of-charismatic-leadership.html

1. Leaders can become addicted to charisma.

2. Organizations can become addicted to the charismatic leader

3. Charisma grows for its own sake and forgets its purpose

By Brian Evje

Case Studies in Biblical Leaders

Many churches have been seriously damaged and the work of a number of Christian institutions has been handicapped by well-meaning spiritually minded men who have never learned the principles of effective management.

~ Robert G. Rayburn

Lawrence A. Appley described management as “getting things done through other people.”

Administrative leaders are often called in to salvage poorly organized projects as things begin to falling apart.

13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.

20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place suchover them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”

24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.

1. Moses was urged to keep his personal mission and vision in life constantly before the Lord.

2. Moses was urged to invest significant energy in communicating the governing vision for the nation.

3. Moses was then to enlist capable men to assist him in the work of realizing his vision.

4. Once capable men were enlisted, Moses then needed to delegate to others who could do the job as well.

5. Finally, Moses was to make himself available to assist judges when they really needed his help.

When Moses appointed judges, he looked for four things to identify their leadership potential:

1. Ability

2. Wisdom

3. Integrity

4. Character

1. Recognize when something needs to be delegated.

2. Determine exactly what needs to be delegated.

3. Write a clear job description that clarifies both the responsibility and authority of the worker.

4. Delegate to the appropriate work to qualified staff.

Case Studies in Biblical Leaders

Leadership has a harder job than just choosing sides. It must bring sides together.

~ Jesse Jackson

The People Management LeaderThere are so many different types of people, that it takes skill, patience, and the love of God to successfully bring people together as a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieving More).

According to James Kouzes and Barry Posner, “Teamwork is essential for a productive organization . . . It is the key that leaders use to unlock the energies and talents available in their organizations.”

As such, the task of managing people never ends.

Managing people in a way that fosters teamwork require skill in conflict management. Moses faced and had to deal with much conflict:

1. His own internal conflict

2. His conflict with his own people

3. His conflict with Pharaoh

4. His conflict with his family

Conflict is inevitable anytime there is more than one person in the room, and sometimes when there is just one person in the room.

~ Mark E. Hardgrove

Conflict can have a positive outcome if handled correctly.

One of the toughest lessons to remember is not to take conflict personally. Moses reminded the people that the battles they would encounter are really God’s battles.

“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. 2. . . . 4 for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ (Deut. 20, NKJV)

Jesus warned His disciples that conflict is inevitable: “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!” (Luke 17:1)

Three possible outcomes to conflict:

1. Lose – Lose

2. Win – Lose

3. Win - Win

1. Each member must have equal rights of expression, consideration, support and love.

2. There must be mutual respect for everyone.

3. A commitment to factual accuracy.

4. All parties need to agree on a commitment to build consensus.

5. Consider what you say, how you say it, and when you say it. (Use “I” messages.)