Gifted for Leadership

Comments

I read the article on Caryn Rivadeneira and I really like it and was impress with all her talents where can I e-mail her I don't have a blog.
Thank you,
Marina Sepeda

Posted By: marina | May 8, 2007 8:24 PM

I teach a womens bible fellowship class on sunday mornings. 3 things I specifically tell myself. 1.The class is not really "mine" it is the Lord's class, I'm just his tool. 2. It's not about me, it's all about Jesus. 3. It's my job to teach and to be faithful, He has the result.

Posted By: Anne Kristynik | May 9, 2007 7:38 AM

Amy, I believe 'trying' to like Christ or Christ-like, 'trying' to be humble, trying to deal with power is the problem that leads us to these temptations. One's view is now on the 'being humble', avoiding the temptation. If our eyes on Christ and who He is and what he is and who we are in Him, then we can rest assured he is most definately my humility, integrity, and strength. Rest in Him. He is sufficient. Dixie Zittlow

Posted By: Dixie Zittlow | May 9, 2007 8:09 AM

I think the temptation to be relevant, spectacular and to attain power is inadvertently promoted when churches or pastors present Jesus as an antidote to life's problems instead of helping people truly know Him as the son of God. When every little "victory" is touted as proof of being obedient, being a "good Christian" we turn God into our little tool to be manipulated according to our needs. Thus the 3 temptations are let loose and people become confused, missing the very joy of knowing Christ.

Posted By: Lynne Sczruba | May 9, 2007 8:55 AM

When most of us are given power, our first inclination is to find a way to protect that power. It is counter-intuitive to find ways to share that power - or even, to give it away. But it is the oxygen and currency of the kingdom to do exactly that.

I'm not advocating shunning power, or in irresponsibly dumping it willy-nilly onto anyone in dumping range. Leadership is a gift and a need in the body of Christ. But leadership and power seem to be two different things. Share power - give it away - and you'll lead more effectively, with the bonus of innoculating yourself against the temptation to hoard power.

Posted By: Michelle Van Loon | May 9, 2007 6:09 PM

I really needed ths today - I have recently been put in a position of leadership in our church, and unbeknownst to me, there were power struggles and other leadership issues already in place that I am now in the middle of. How difficult is it to "lead" people with good hearts and strong personalities, and yet maintain the focus that this IS God's work, not mine, not theirs, and ultimately we all need to be reaching for the same goal... not letting my own desires or human "I must take a stand!" mentality rule our meetings.

Posted By: Sally Henry | May 10, 2007 7:48 AM

when a person realizes that God is the ultimate power and we are only the second in charge, then only will we be able to handle power. God gave the power in the first place. if you are not working in Him and through Him then you will get a big head and run with power. but when you are humble in the sence that you know where it comes from in the first place, them you will go about using power and applying it in the correct manner.

Posted By: j. swanepoel | May 10, 2007 8:41 AM

That's an interesting question... whether power can be approached through a mindset of moderation. I'm going to think that one over.

In the meantime, I think our power is best used in a spirit of gratitude... gratitude that it was shared with us, gratitude that we can pass on good things through its use. When we move from gratitude to selfishness, well, history tells the story.

Posted By: L.L. Barkat | May 10, 2007 1:25 PM

If you pursue God there is not the problem. Jesus did not pursue power he pursued Gods will. As we humble ourselves to God and his will power and indeed, great power will be manifest thru us. This will also be seen with great humility. All power that is pursued to have power is from Satan. All Christian authority and power comes from obedience to God and with humility because the power and the results of that power are Gods.

Posted By: Elizabeth Whatley | May 11, 2007 3:30 PM

God gives His Power to us is to serve n guide His people.Jesus,himself who performed many miracles during his ministry showed GREAT EXAMPLE BY WASHING HIS DISCIPLES FEET.LET US USE THE POWER THAT IS GIVEN TO US TO SERVE OTHERS...AMEN!

Posted By: Joy | May 11, 2007 4:06 PM

Elizabeth: That is so true. Power for power's sake is indeed of Satan. When we humble ourselves before God, He will manifest Himself through us(I Peter 5:6), and as you said, it will be Him, not us. In Proverbs 11:2, we are told that with humility comes wisdom. The goal is to be Christlike, and with that we are to use whatever authority we are called into to further God's dream and to help others.

Posted By: Kathryn | May 11, 2007 4:19 PM

Great conversation here! I really like what Elizabeth said: the Christlike response to power is to pursue rather than power, pursue God's will rather than our own. Then we will be able to work in God's power rather than our own.

Posted By: Amy Simpson | May 11, 2007 8:15 PM

If we are given power I believe we are to "hold it lightly." We must never clutch it,desire it or feel that we deserve it. Whatever we are given by God for ourleadership role it is for the glory of God that it must be received and used.

Posted By: Joann Brodin | May 11, 2007 10:55 PM

Amy, the concept of "power" is something I have been meditating on a great deal lately. The more I reflect on it, the more I have come to realize that if we, as Christian women leaders, are really attuned to the will of God, we will use the power He has given us not to rise above the rest but to use this "gift" of power He has given us for leadership to empower others towards leadership.

Posted By: Halee Gray Scott | May 12, 2007 3:19 AM

Amy, I am blessed to be a full-time Mom for now and I realize that even with in my nuclear family as Mom I have incredible "power" to shape my children. I believe when we become wives and mothers this is our highest priority and life responsibility. Aren't we servant leaders to our families? My husband always says marriage is naturally hard because we get all dressed up, smelling good, looking our best for our jobs, our jobs get the best part of our day, energy, and talent. We're tired, smelly or frumpy when we come home. Even in our downtime at home, we still have incredible power. I have not taken my down time seriously at home. Every day my every reaction good or bad is recorded in the hearts of one of my family, that is great responsibility and great power. As Spiderman says. As Christians we have the Good News, we have salvation to share.....that is incredible power. How am I using the power of Christ's love?

Posted By: Kiela Rae | May 12, 2007 7:29 AM

Kiela,
Our highest priority and life responsibility whether we become wives and mothers or not, is always first to serve Christ. When other things replace that, they quickly become idols at whose altar we unwittingly worship. I know one woman who was a devoted wife and mother, but after 23 years, her husband left her for a younger woman and part of the carnage left was several of her children went through a period of rebelliousness. What got her through all that was that being a faithful servant of Christ was her highest priority.

My first pastorate was a 10 month assignment, 320 miles away from my husband and children. This meant seeing them every other week for 2 days and living the rest of the time by myself at the parsonage. Because serving Christ was my highest priority, He not only sustained us through that time, but He also used me greatly for His glory.

While being a wife and mother are certainly important, honorable and a priority, be sure that serving Christ always remains your highest priority. Jesus was and still is notorious for asking people to do something outside of their comfort zones to test where He stands in their list of priorities.

Posted By: Rev. Carlene | May 12, 2007 3:09 PM

I would appreciate a solid teaching on the difference between power and authority and leadership. I believe there is a significant difference. Leadership itself or even authority in and of itself is not power. Both in church and work it does not take long to know that power can exist in people who are NOT in authority or leadership. So what is power? I do not believe just "teaching" a bible study inherently gives you power-it may give you a place to expound your views or teach the Scriptures but it does not give you power. Sometimes I am think power is a "gift", the way other spiritual gifts occur-you can use it for the Kingdom or you can use it for yourself or God forbid, for evil. We attended a church for a while were, quite honestly, the most powerful person in the church was one of the elder's wifes! She owned that church and her power was exhibited in the Ladies Bible Class, the music, the elder's decisions, and many other areas. Would be interested in hearing other's thoughts and ideas.

Posted By: trisha | May 14, 2007 2:35 PM

Trisha,
I know what you mean. The first church I pastored was dominated by a family clan and the most powerful person in the church was the matriarch--who was also the moderator's wife, the treasurer, the SS Superintendent, the adult SS teacher, and the midweek adult Bible study teacher. She ruled with an iron fist and even used physical violence on people. In fact one Sun. morning she attacked our worship leader.

Posted By: Rev. Carlene | May 14, 2007 11:43 PM

Trisha has it right. Leadership and power do not go hand in hand. In fact, when I encounter any woman who seems to have an inexplicable hold on others and just oozes charisma, I know that there is something deep, dark, and ugly inside of her and I keep my distance. I've seen and experienced the hell-on-earth these women are capable of creating.
I think what baffles me most is the incredible blindness that seems to afflict her entourage--and even those who should know better. It's scary...

Marilyn

Posted By: marilyn | May 15, 2007 1:58 PM

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