tVB 56: 1 CHURCH WORK TRAINING: FIVE QUALITIES EVERY APPOINTED LEADER MUST HAVE

tVB 56: 1

CHURCH WORK TRAINING:

FIVE QUALITIES EVERY APPOINTED LEADER MUST HAVE

Sometime in 1999 a Pastor asked me, “Why are church workers so difficult to work with?” He might have been having challenges with workers then. But the truth is, the greater majority of church workers are not difficult people, after all they volunteered to serve for free! So, why do leaders encounter frustrations with church workers?

To be candid, worker problems are not unique to appointed church leaders. Secular work leaders also experience such challenges. For church workers, however, you just realize that the reasons are different AND avoidable!

For one, most appointed church leaders are dealing with largely raw, unprepared and undeveloped tools where spiritual service is concerned. Requirement for admission into departments in many cases is simply a willingness to serve. Today, I want to challenge every appointed church leader that regardless of how uncouth your group members may be, hope is not lost. You can transform them into a virile and powerful team. Truth is, the level of your group members’ efficiency directly correlates to your personal level of efficiency. All you need is to develop the 5 vital qualities every appointed leaders needs. These qualities will increase your competence at managing, leading and transforming your fledgling group members into ‘David’s mighty warriors’.

What are these 5 Vital Leadership Qualities That Every Appointed Church Leader Must Have?

1. UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP

Most definitions present Leadership as one, two or all of:

A set of actions - the activity of leading

A specific position - the status of a leader

A practicable skill or usable ability - the ability to lead

According to R. J. House, leadership as an ability required to achieve certain goals. But Warren Bennis believes that leadership is shown when a leader Innovates, Seek solutions, Focuses on people, Does the right things, Develops, Inspires trust, Has a longer-term perspective, Challenges the status-quo, Has an eye on the horizon, Originates, Is his or her own person, and Shows originality. (www.managementupdate.info)

However, in the real day-to-day world, we know that not every successful influence that achieves set goals truly proves 'leadership'. For example, USATODAY's 'Top 25 Most Influential People report (2007)' ranked Osama Bin Laden (globally renowned terrorist held responsible for bombing the World Trade Centre) as number 6, right after Francis Collins & J. Craig Venter, mappers of the human genome that opened the door to breakthroughs in identifying, treating and preventing the world's most feared diseases, and ranked higher in influence than Mikhail Gorbachez, former Russian President (at 11), George Bush, the 43rd American President (at 14), and even Nelson Mandela (at 19)! (www.usatoday.com; 2011)

I believe that leadership is a learned and developing skill, as well as an earned place that enables and empowers a person to influence, motivate and enable others towards the achievement of morally positive organizational or communal goals.

There are three factors that also influence your leadership.

1. The Leader's Personal Background

What personality, knowledge, values, ethics, and experiences do you as a leader have? What do you think will work?

2. The Group Members Being Supervised

Your group members are individuals with different personalities and backgrounds. What leadership style you use will vary depending upon the individual member and what he or she will respond best to.

3. The Church Leadership You Serve Under

The traditions, values, philosophy, and concerns of your group as dictated by your church leadership will influence how you as a leader can act and lead in different situations.

2. OWN SKILLS TO LEAD OTHERS WITH

Three people skills are particularly required in your life and leadership;

Relationship Skills

A Leader must relate positively and constructively with his people, but note that a good relationship is like a good meal. It doesn’t just happen. It is made with intention and attention. Good relationship skills help you as an appointed leader to properly manage the uniqueness of each group member.

People Management

While some will do well with little attention, some others may need pampering. Yet some will need a tough hand. Don’t dismiss or underestimate the level of attention required to bring out the best in each one. Sometimes, leadership responsibility calls upon you to be all things to all men to win each of them to effective service in the Lord’s vineyard.

Communication Skills

Understanding how to communicate up-line will help you move successfully within the policies of the church to get your group’s needs met. Effective communication down-line (with your members) will help you identify needs and address them in ways that will yield positive and lasting results for the greater good.

3. UNDERSTAND YOUR ASSIGNMENT

You just must understand your assignment. Take the time to go over the instructions or stated expectations for your assignment. If in doubt of anything, please ask questions and get concise answers from the right quarters. Truth is, it is only what you understand that you can properly guide your group members to perform.

4. KNOW THE TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU NEED

As an appointed leader, you also double as the human resource manager for your assignment. This means that you are to identify the type of hands you require to deliver your assignment successfully. This is one major reason why you must first understand your assignment.

Newly appointed leaders may have challenges with settling down early, especially if they were not department members prior to their appointment. But with good people skills, as already stated, you will win the confidence and cooperation of your new group members. You can also get helpful tips from the former leader of that group.

5. SHOW INTEGRITY IN HANDLING MONEY & RESOURCES

Demonstrating integrity in handling money and resources has always been a key quality and requirement for any appointed leader.

If you having a weakness with this area, you need to do either or both of:

a. Appoint other people to handle money and resource matters. Keep away from money and ensure that proper records are kept for all the department’s transactions.

b. Maintain good and open records. If you have had previously had any integrity issues known to others, then you must create a system that makes you accountable to your people and your leaders. Also, you must work at it in prayer.

In addition, avoid abusing your position by awarding yourself privileges at the expense of your group members, even when such may be your right. Over time, you will be free to declare like Prophet Samuel (1 Sam 12:3), that you have stolen no one’s property nor deceitfully acquired anything using your position of leadership.

So, which areas of your leadership need to be worked upon? Why not begin today? God will grant you grace and wisdom to successfully overcome every challenge. How can we help? On our part, we at Vision Builders will continue to uphold and support your leadership with practical solutions.

Any Questions on Church Work?

Register Now for Online Or Class CHURCH WORK TRAINING With TOPE BANJO

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TOPE A. BANJO

Church Work Teacher,

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