Principles of Leadership - Explain the Ground Rules (Part 1)

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

As I begin today, I want to pause and celebrate that this is my 50^th podcast over the past two years.  All have been on the topic of leadership.  In 2021, the entire year addressed the theme of “The Character of a Leader.”  Now, in 2022, I am sharing my personal Ten Principles of Leadership. 

Principle #1 was Share the Vision.  #2 was Facilitate Equipping, and Principle #3 was “Define the Expectations”. Today we turn our attention to “Explain the Ground Rules”.  Or, stated another way, leaders define, and set the example for, the values and standards for how a team will work together. 

Today, and in my next episode, I want to describe seven characteristics of healthy working relationships.    

1.       Mutual Trust and Respect – The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian church (4:32) that they were to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.  As co-laborers for Christ, it is imperative that we appreciate and respect one another and their role in Kingdom work.  AND, we need to treat them accordingly. 

2.       Mutual Commitment to Help Others – The book of Hebrews speaks to this value.  We have this promise in 6:10. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people ...”  Notice this:  “The love you have shown him as you have helped his people…” As we help others, we are aiding Christ Jesus. 

There is also this reminder in 10:24, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”   The Greek word translated as “spur” (other translations render this as stir up, provoke, encourage, or motivate) means “a provocation which literally jabs (cuts) someone so they "must" respond”.  Sometimes, godly leaders need to [what I would describe as] “assertively encourage” others to do what is right. 

3.       Mutual Use of Gifts, Skills, and Creativity – 1 Corinthians 12 describes the Church as being similar to the human body; it is one unit with many parts, and each part needs the others in order to function together.  Effective teams realize the complementary skills, personalities and giftings of each other AND they utilize all of these for optimum effectiveness. 

To reiterate, it is the responsibility of leaders to explain these characteristics of healthy working relationships, and we must model these values.  Next time, we will explore the remaining four standards. 

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