If you are like most people, whenever the topic of leadership comes up, you tend to shrink back and say “He must not be talking about me! I am no leader.” We think we know what a leader is and we seem to feel that I am not one. So lets talk about it for a little bit. What makes a leader? What are the qualities that matter most?
A few years ago there was some research done on Small Group Leadership. The research studied thousands of leaders from all over the globe and asked this question: What are the qualities that matter in Small Group leadership?
They found that there are some things in leadership that matter and some that don’t. What was interesting, is that these are the very things that we tend to think DO matter actually DON”T matter.
These things don’t matter in leadership:
Age-Age doesn’t matter. here are leaders who are young, old and everything in-between. If you think you are too young or too old to lead others, you are wrong. Age doesn’t matter.
Gender-Gender doesn’t matter. Effective leadership comes from men and from women. In fact, in some cultures, women were more effective leaders than the men. But generally speaking, gender is not a factor.
Social, economic, or educational status-You can be rich, poor, educated or illiterate and still lead a group. (Share from personal experience).
Marital status-Your marital status doesn’t matter. You can be single, married or divorced and still be an effective leader.
Personality-Your personality is not as important as you think in leadership.
Spiritual gifting-Leaders with the gifts of service, leadership, evangelism, teaching, etc. had groups that grew at the same rate
These things do matter in leadership:
Amount of time leader spent with the Lord each day-This is a reflection or our relationship with God. If you are growing in your relationship with Christ, then you can lead in his kingdom.
Amount of prayer for group members-This is a reflection of the leader’s heart for people.
Hospitality, social activity and ministry outside the meeting-These are relational activities. Can you relate to other people? The ability to relate to others is at the center of leadership.
Raising new leaders-Successful leaders share leadership responsibilities. When we do this we increase the amount of ownership that the others in the group feel towards the group.
Clear goals-Does your group have a clear direction and does your group understand what those goals are? We are going to help you form some goals and direction during this time today. The bottom line is that nobody likes being a part of a group that lacks direction.
Preparation for the meeting-Preparing for the meeting is a simple task. 5 minutes spent before the meeting can change the entire tone of the meeting. And group members know if you are not prepared. Nobody likes a meeting where the leader is not prepared.
In Summary:
An effective Small Group leader loves God and Loves people.
Matthew 22:34-40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Here is the bottom line… You do not have to be a great Bible teacher, a scholar, an eloquent communicator, an extrovert, or have a magnetic personality. If you are growing in your love for God and for people, then you are a prime candidate for leadership.
Examine the 12 men that Jesus selected as his disciples. They were hardly distinguished, refined or influential people. These were ordinary men with ordinary jobs with ordinary personalities who received an extraordinary call. After three short years with Jesus, they were charged with the responsibility of leading the expansion of God’s kingdom. God loves to use ordinary people. I really believe God wants to use ordinary people like you and me to expand His kingdom through SG’s.
In a sociology study of people over the age of 95, they were asked this question: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently? The top three answers were: 1. I would reflect more, 2. I would risk more. 3. I would do more things that would live on after I am dead. Leading a Small Group is a chance for you to make an impact that will live on in the lives of people long after you are gone.
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