The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

88
THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP (Romans 12:8)
Purpose: Direction
Definition: The ability to preside and to set the direction of a project in a way that aids the
spiritual growth of others.
“The special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to
communicate those goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously
work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God.” A leader is literally “one
who stands in front of.” 18
Leaders obviously must have followers.
“If leadership quality is due to a gift (in contrast to some legal power) their followers
will be voluntary. Whereas discerning leaders never get too far ahead of their
followers, they are always up front directing others. Gifted leaders neither
manipulate no coerce. They generate a confidence that they know where they are
going and what the next step is to get there. Most people want to be led. The best
leaders are relaxed. They know what has to be done and they know they cannot do
it themselves. So they develop skills in delegating and transferring responsibilities to
others. Leaders tend to dislike administration, so they make sure they have delegated
that responsibility to someone with that gift.” 19
Prerequisite
• Not to lord over or boss people around but to lead by example as a servant (Mt 20:24-28).
• Motivated by a desire to serve rather than by monetary considerations (I Pet. 5:1-3).
• To be an example of faith (Heb. 13:7).
• To exercise authority from a position of love and concern realizing one is accountable to God.
(Heb. 13:17)
Leadership is to be exercised with diligence (zeal) and watchful interest carefully protecting
the followers from evil influences (Acts 20:26-31). Laziness and lack of motivation and initiative
do not belong to the proper exercise of this gift since a leader is often on his own to a large
extent.