Principles of Leadership – Define the Expectations - How

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters.

During 2022, I am sharing my Ten Principles of Leadership. Principle #3 is “Define the Expectations”.

Last time, in part one, we considered Jesus Christ’s expectations for us and our expectations for VCP. Today we will address “how” (the appropriate behaviors and ways of interaction) we are to go about achieving these expectations. I would suggest that godly leaders define two key expectations for those who follow and those who work with them.

 Dependence upon God

 Inter-dependence with one another

Last time, I made this statement. “We do not do this work alone or in our own strength or power. His promise is “I am with you always”. This is through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within us.”

I quoted Luke 24:49 where Jesus gave these instructions. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Greek word for “clothed” is “enduo” which means to sink into, put on, or to clothe one's self. As we lead, we must do so having first put on – or clothed ourselves – with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah heard this from the Lord, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (4:6) How much more true these instructions are today as we live in the era where the Holy Spirit indwells each Christ-follower.

I shared in one of last year’s podcasts how I literally will pray out loud regularly these words. “Lord, I am absolutely, completely dependent upon You.” I pray this as a reminder to myself and as a confession to the Lord, that I need the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Godly leaders demonstrate dependence upon the Lord. They also set the expectation – and the example – that healthy teams minister in a spirit of inter-dependence. 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 describe diversity of spiritual gifts; Ephesians 4 instructs us about diversity of ministry callings; and again 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that we are one body with many parts. None of us have all the spiritual gifts and callings; none of us are the complete body; we need one another. We must recognize and respect one another’s unique gifting's, AND it’s imperative for Kingdom success that we minister together in unity.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.