LEADERSHIP ENRICHMENT ACCELERATED PROGRAM (LEAP)
LEADING FROM YOUR HEART, WITH YOUR HEAD AND HANDS
Lay the groundwork for exceptional leadership with our Leadership Foundations course.
This program is tailored for aspiring leaders and those seeking to strengthen their leadership skills. It will help you understand foundational leadership principles, enhance decision-making, and inspire positive change in your community and organisation.
INTRODUCTION
What is the greatest need in the world today? The greatest need in the world today can be multifaceted and can vary depending on one’s perspective and the prevailing global circumstances. However, leadership is undeniably the greatest need that transcends borders and surpasses all other demands. How is this true, when the world is full of people with the title of leaders in all spheres of our lives?
When asked what is the greatest need in the church today, typical answers to this question include more money, volunteers, new buildings, or other such resources.
According to Borek, Lovett, and Towns in The Good Book on Leadership, it is not more money, new buildings, bigger buildings, new workable methods, more workers, or any of the other “things” we throw at the church’s problems. The greatest need of the church is leadership… effective leadership…spiritual leadership. The right kind of leadership can solve the church’s problems. The right leader can raise the needed money, build the necessary buildings, recruit willing workers, attract eager followers, and discover new methods to get the job done.
The right kind of leadership is a critical need not just in the church but also in families, enterprises and corporations, and even governments worldwide. Mark 10:42-45 provides timeless wisdom, revealing the wrong kind of leadership and, at the same time, exemplifying the right kind of leadership that transcends generations and cultures. Jesus pointed out that the rulers of the Gentiles were lording over them and exercised authority over them. Jesus implored His disciples to exercise a different kind of leadership. He offered a holistic perspective on leadership, emphasising the virtues of humility, selflessness, and a genuine dedication to the well-being of others. It redefines leadership not as a quest for power and recognition but as a profound commitment to serving humanity and nurturing collective growth.
The Leadership Foundations series aims to provide a biblical foundation and principles for godly, effective leadership. David exemplifies the foundational components for effective leadership in Psalm 78:70-72ampc (emphasis mine):
70He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; 71From tending the ewes that had their young He brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob His people, of Israel His inheritance. 72 So [David] was their shepherd with an upright heart; he guided them by the discernment and skillfulness [which controlled] his hands.
David led his people with “integrity of heart,” “discernment,” and “skilful hands.” The three foundational pillars for effective leadership can be compared to the three legs of an African stool, and each of the legs is important for the stool to stand firmly. Thus, the foundational components for effective leadership development are character, knowledge, and skill, which are the bases of the three Leadership Foundations modules.
The Three Pillars of Effective Leadership
The Leadership Foundations series is built upon the understanding that effective leadership development requires a strong foundation in three key areas: character, knowledge, and skill.
a) Character: Character forms the bedrock of leadership. A leader’s character reflects their integrity, moral values, and authenticity. Leaders can earn the trust and respect of those they lead by cultivating godly character traits such as humility, integrity, and servant-heartedness.
b) Knowledge: Leadership knowledge encompasses understanding biblical principles, leadership theories, and best practices. Through studying and applying these principles, leaders can gain wisdom and discernment in their decision-making processes and navigate the complexities of leadership with grace and humility.
c) Skill: Leadership skills encompass the practical ability to effectively lead and manage people, projects, and organizations. Developing relational and task skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and problem solving empowers leaders to navigate challenges, foster collaboration, and drive organizational growth.
Structure of the Leadership Foundations Series
The series is divided into three modules; each focused on one foundational component: character, knowledge, and skill. Each module consists of interactive sessions, thought-provoking readings and discussions, case studies, and practical exercises designed to deepen understanding and facilitate personal and professional growth.
1. LEADING FROM THE HEART: The Character of a Leader
“Character-based” leadership is foundational to a leader’s ability to lead. It gives one the courage to do what is right regardless of the circumstances or the consequences. It also stresses adherence to organizationally-shared values that bind all members together.
Personal character development is a central and obligatory component in leader development. Aubrey Malphurs refers to character development as soul work because it concerns the leader’s innermost being.
Leading from the Heart is divided into three parts: the Core of Leadership, the Character of a Leader, and the Costs, Rewards, and Legacy of a Leader.
Part one introduces what leadership is and provides insight into some leadership misconceptions. This section profiles the unique characteristics of effective Christian leaders as modelled by Jesus through His teachings and practice, servant leadership, and transformational leadership.
Part two focuses on what character is, the qualities that define great leaders, and what disqualifies leaders.
Part three highlights the costs and rewards of leadership and ways to grow as a Christian leader to finish well and fulfil your leadership role and call.
2. LEADING WITH YOUR HEAD: What Every Christian Leader Should Know
A leader’s knowledge is the relevant information he or she applies to a given situation; it is their competence to handle various leadership issues. Leaders must demonstrate their “know-what” and “know-how” in leadership. Aubrey Malphurs refers to this knowledge as headwork.
The leader needs to know the God who called him/her to lead, to understand him/herself and his/her divine design and purpose, and to understand people and how to work with them.
3. LEADING WITH YOUR HANDS: Essential Skills for Every Christian Leader
Aubrey Malphurs defines skill as using knowledge to do something well. This involves the application of the leader’s knowledge to a ministry or leadership situation.
Leaders act by bringing together everything they are, everything they believe, and everything they know to provide purpose, direction and motivation.
Skills are the leader’s handwork, which concerns what the leader does. Aubrey suggests that leaders should develop relational (people) and task skills to be effective in their leadership.
How to Use This Resource
This resource is flexible and can be used in several settings, including retreat settings, Bible study classes, church staff meetings, and individual and group study. For value addition, you are encouraged to study the book as a group rather than as an individual.
Questions are provided in this book to help readers apply the principles of this training resource to their particular leadership situations.
In the following pages, we will encounter real-life stories of remarkable leaders who, like David of old, inspired their people and made lasting contributions that echoed through the ages. We will learn from their triumphs, tribulations, and unwavering dedication to a higher purpose. By intertwining these timeless parables with contemporary leadership challenges, this book will ignite the flame of leadership within every reader and empower them to rise to the occasion, transforming the world one compassionate decision at a time.
Drawing from the Scriptures and yet interwoven with contemporary insights, this resource is a beacon of hope for aspiring leaders, seasoned executives, and those seeking to impact the world positively. The series offers a holistic perspective on leadership, emphasising the virtues of humility, selflessness, and a genuine dedication to the well-being of others. It redefines leadership not as a quest for power and recognition but as a profound commitment to serving humanity and nurturing collective growth.
You have to complete the course Leading From the Heart before, to take this course.
