The Movement  

LEADERSHIP IN THE MOVEMENT

Leadership in the movement was formed not as the idea of one individual, or a charismatic presence of a single person, but FORMED IN THE HEARTS OF A TEAM. Just as the body of Christ is made up of many parts, with all having equal importance, the core value of leadership in The Movement takes 1 Corinthians 12:11-25, literally. This is why a high importance is placed on team driven leadership.  Jesus left 11 in his place, not one, to fulfill what He started.  The various Movement groups should be made up of a team of leaders fulfilling different roles.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable (1 Corinthians 12:21-22, NIV).

For too long the Church has functioned in a paralyzed state, not as 1 Corinthians 12 commands.  An injury causing this is the reliance on a minority of people who make up the body of Christ, mainly: the paid clergy, ones with professional training, a Christian heritage, speaking abilities etc. The Church is supposed to be a body, with Christ as its head.  Jesus’ role is to direct the body and to tell it what to do (Colossians 1:18).  If only a few people are doing the work that Christ is telling it do, what of the rest of the body, it is paralyzed.  It is paralyzed by the lack of people fulfilling their purpose in the body of Christ.  Leadership in The Movement realizes that every person in the Church is as important as the other, and that only together can we truly function as Christ’s body.  So the main roles of leaders are to make sure and see that everybody is fulfilling their purpose.

Jesus has placed a certain call on people to guide others into their roles in the body of Christ.  We can call these people leaders. Jesus clearly lays out what this role should look and feel like:

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves (Luke 22:24-26 NIV)

Jesus is saying that those who would lead after Him will see their position as a chance to better others, by serving them.  This opportunity is not to control every detail of people’s lives or a group’s activities.  It is not the opportunity to show people how much knowledge or abilities you possess.  It is not for showcasing all your own opinions.   It is not for building yourself up.  It is a chance to listen more and say less. It is a chance to be vulnerable with your weaknesses and your reliance on God.  It is finding the ways for other people to get the credit for good things happening.  It is a call to build others up and put them before your self.  A true leader has a heart of a servant, because Jesus the ultimate leader is a servant. Jesus said, “the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

The apostle Paul writes about those called to serve:

He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13 The Message).

Also another translation says:

And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church) (Ephesians 4:11-12 Amplified Bible).

The word train or equip, in the Greek, means to repair something like a broken bone; to set something straight.  The whole goal when you have been given a gift like the ones mentioned in the above scripture is to help others know their gifts, and train them in using them.  Leaders are people who are not doing the bulk of the work, but instead their main job is to see that everyone is working together and doing the thing that they are gifted at. The Holy Spirit is working through the entire Church, and when we leave only a few people to do the work, we are quenching what the Spirit is fully trying to do.

It is to be a person who is encouraging people spiritually, to have faith and hope in hardship. They can see the potential in people and are able to bring it out, even when the person doesn’t see it.  These people are a catalyst in the process of people maturing in the faith and walk with God.

The movement will have leaders. These leaders will function more often as a team of people. The apostle Paul warns against quarrels between people claiming to follow one leader or another, focusing solely on one person (1 Corinthians 1:11-13).  The Movement is not about following one person. When there is only one leader in a group, this person should quickly recognize those other people who can help with responsibilities and allow them to lead as well.  The ultimate prize for a leader is when others have become equipped to lead, and are doing the ministry alongside of them.

Closing scriptures on leadership:

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder,[a] he desires an honorable position.” So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.  He must not be a heavy drinker[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.  He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.  For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?

An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.[d]  Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.  They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.  Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-10 NLT)

-Josh Horvath