S.I.M.P.L.E. Leadership - Part 2

Select Your Leaders Carefully

 

In order for your ministry or project to be a success, you must select the leaders around you carefully.  Not everyone is called or gifted to lead.  Some are more gifted in other areas such as service or intercession.  If you place someone in leadership who is not called to be there or does not have the natural giftedness to do the job well, then there will be frustration for both you and them.  When considering who should be selected to lead, we can learn a great deal from the story of Apollos as recorded in Acts 18:24-28:

²⁴ Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ²⁷ And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, ²⁸ for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

There are a number of characteristics in the life of Apollos that we should be looking for in the potential leaders that we would place around ourselves:

1.  A Natural Giftedness

We are told that Apollos was an "eloquent man."  It is clear that he had a natural giftedness that prepared him for the task at hand.  This is something we will want to look for in those who we would release into leadership.  While natural giftedness alone is not enough, it is necessary.  People who would lead need to have some natural inclinations toward such a thing.

2.  Competency

Apollos was a man who was "competent in the Scriptures."  Competency is another key ingredient.  To be competent means that someone is qualified to do the job.  Sometimes such competency comes from the aforementioned natural giftedness and sometimes it comes as a result of training and experience.  Either way, make sure that the people you invest in for the purpose of leadership are competent to carry out the task.

3.  A Foundation to Build Upon

While Apollos still had room to grow, there was a foundation that was present for any future training to be based upon.  We are told that he "had been instructed in the way of the Lord," but we also recognize that he had room to grow.  Don’t look for people who are “perfect,” but look for people who have a foundation that can be developed.  Being able to recognize such a foundation will allow you to see potential leaders that others might not notice.

4.  A Genuine Passion

Scripture tells us that Apollos "began to speak boldly in the synagogue."  Although he still had things to learn, Apollos’ passion was not diminished one bit.  Look for these sorts of people.  Passion, while it does not singularly guarantee success, will be able to carry people through a number of challenges and struggles.  Passion will keep people moving when everyone else wants to quit.  Passion causes people to want to go further and do more.  Passion causes people to read, research, and constantly seek to grow.  Passion is essential.

5.  Teachable

There are people in this world who see themselves as leaders.  Too often, unfortunately, this means that they are not really open to grow or improve.  One characteristic that is a necessity for potential leaders is that they must be teachable.  We are told is scripture that, "when Priscilla and Aquila heard [Apollos], they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."  Apollos could have responded in arrogance, but instead he was teachable.  As a result, his future ministry was very successful.  Look for such people.

6.  A Potential that is Recognized by Others

Typically, when God is moving someone into a position of leadership, it will be recognized by others.  This was true of Apollos.  We are told that "when [Apollos] wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him."  When you are preparing to launch someone into leadership, speak with others around you and ask them if they are seeing what you see.  If you get confirmation from two or three others, then chances are you have your guy or gal.

7.  A Record of Success

While everyone in leadership will experience failure from time to time, the arc of the leader’s life should be one of success.  This was true for Apollos.  We are told, “he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus”.  When selecting leaders, look for those who work with the sort of attention to detail that makes them a success.  To find such a person will mean that he or she will be a great help to you.

While there is no perfect science to selecting the leaders around us, there are certainly things that we can do to improve our effectiveness.  Selecting people for leadership who have these qualities in their life will help ensure you have the right pieces in the right places.  It is also important to remember that simply selecting the right people will not guarantee success.  It is your responsibility to train, invest in, develop, and encourage your leaders.  If you are not committed to the journey ahead, the best of the leaders around you will grow frustrated and discouraged.