Lead yourself FIRST!
A
church planting story:
Most church planters believe that they are to be
supported to be successful, so they peg any failure on the sending
organization: I believe that when we are so vision driven and we know what we
are here on earth for we will be accountable; self accountability- I LIKE TO ENCOURAGE MY SELF THAT: If it works
it’s because I was totally committed to it not because I was sent. It is
because I want it so bad; I can’t blame it on others.
The title of our workshop is suggestive; the Word first simply says, do it as priority: if
you are to lead others which you are here some of you because you are going to plant
a church or have already –then you want to know where to begin, that is how to
lead self.
In fact, failure in self leadership is the ultimate
failure in leadership: it’s like a blindfolded man driving a bus on Mombasa
road with men seated reading their newspapers;
Let’s
ask ourselves truly what it means to lead your’s-self first:
1.
Biblical
Model of Self leadership:
1 Cor 9:24-27 (ESV)
A paraphrase
24 Do you not know that
in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you
may obtain it { Plant and lead the church
that you may obtain the ultimate reward} . 25 Every athlete
exercises self-control in all
things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So
I do not run aimlessly; {so I do not
pastor or lead aimlessly} I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But
I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after
preaching {leading a church or planting
one} to others I myself should be disqualified.
2. 1 Tim 3:1-13 (ESV)
3 1-7 If
anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are
preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool
and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking
about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not
money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own
children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own
affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer,
lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must
think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his
trap.
Paul touches on various areas
of our life that we need to exercise self leadership:
1.
Moral Character (simply
Above reproach)
a.
Of special note
is self-control (discipline and self denial)
The ability to take charge of the mind, and
Christians have this possibility opened to them. This allows control over
impulses (to overindulge the physical appetites, to think wrong thoughts about
others and ourselves) which without control would drive us to excessive
behavior.
2.
Maturity :
a.
A growing leader is a growing leader; we must be always looking in to see what to add to
our leadership. I am first a follower
then a leader not the other way round.
v Fundamental
to successful development as a leader is an understanding of self and one’s own
abilities. This includes understanding one’s personality, values, and
preferences, while simultaneously recognizing one’s potential as a leader.
v Leading
yourself means taking accountability for your life and work.
Accountability is a willingness to own the results of your choices,
actions, inactions, behaviors, thoughts, communication and attitude. An
accountable person doesn't waste time with blaming others or making excuses. An
accountable person looks at their situation and asks, "What can I do?
How can I do it?"
REFLECTIONS:
What does it mean for me
to lead myself?
1.
Recognizing
the place of Grace in/on my life:
a.
The grace of God constantly reminds us of
how much we need God; this understanding helps us to receive those we lead with
some measure of grace; - it is simply not having an inflated view of one self.
b.
The Grace of God reminds me of my true self
worth, which is determined by Gods outlook of me. I then lead out of the riches
of His grace
2.
Living
a Value driven life:
a.
Leading self
i.
Discipline and self denial
ii.
Diligent effort and –hard toil
iii.
Great care planning & order – (the
ability to do what is priority and structure my life around what matters)
b.
I then set values in these area;
{A
value being a trait that I am willing to live for and die for} it determines
where my treasures are.
i.
Finances
ii.
Morally
iii.
Health wise (do I value length and strength
of days)
1.
E.g. I exercise daily because I value my
health and in so doing I value my family and ministry.
2.
A unhealthy leader cannot lead others to
health.
iv.
Marriage
v.
relationships
3.
Paying a close watch on my Character
v Character
and Integrity
The real me:
– true leadership always begins with the inner person. People can sense the depth of a person’s character.
v People
will believe what you say more when they find you are a strict student of the
same: If you say you are serious about time management and best use of time it
must be seen in how you conduct yourself.
v No leadership lesson is for others
that is not first our lesson:
4.
Work Ethics;
a.
Exert myself as if God is going to ask me
for a report at the end of the day…
b.
I do not blame anyone for my failures etc
c.
{Drop Dead Principle} Go home before the
work is done
A
leader and vulnerability
A leader at the end is exposing himself to people who
really want to know about how to be successful in whatever and it is a life of
continuous discipleship and inviting others to look at how much you are
striving to be like Christ. That’s what I call ideal self leadership
v Caution
working on myself (self Leadership) is a lifelong process definitely and all
must be learners; so I also must not
beat myself but be strict as a student of Better
Self
Leadership is = Grace + Vulnerability (determine your personal Guardrails) + a Value
driven Life
What are some of your Guardrail?
It’s easy to teach leadership; it’s difficult to model
leadership. John-Maxwell-to-lead-start-with-yourself
To reach out to Tobbias;
Twitter @tcngala
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