How leaders can grow in pastoral grace

Leadership is all about care for the well-being of others expressed through acts of selflessness and kindness to better the state of those in their care.

In this short inspirational video Andre Kruger shares on how leaders can increase the pastoral anointing in their lives. For more on his teachings and obtain a copy of his book Increasing Heaven’s Flow in 40 days go to www.heavensflow.org

Scripture

Matthew 25:31-40

31  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32  Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33  And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34  Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

37  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Observations and reflections

1. What will Jesus honor the righteous for doing when he returns? List and describe what the Lord specifies in this text. (verses 37-40)
2. How does our Lord view caring deeds of love for people in need in this earth? (verse 40)
3. Why do you think the Lord views these loving deeds to needy people in such a way?
4. Carefully read verse 40 again. How many deeds of love does one need to do before the Lord recognizes and rewards one when he returns? And what does that suggest about the value the places on one person in need?

Personal reflection and application

The Lord loves and values each individual and therefore deeply identifies with the lack, pain and suffering of every person he created.  Therefore the Lord rewards every deed of kindness from compassion shown to each individual person, as if it is shown to him in person.

1. List three acts of kindness you have recently shown to people in need – especially those close to you.  Our Text today promises that the Lord will remember these acts of sincere kindness; how does this truth make you feel?
2. To grow in pastoral grace one simply shows compassion and kindness to people who cross your path, motivated by the truth that the Lord loves that person as he loves you. Consider the following Scripture:

Galatians 6:10 “…as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

• In which ways can you “do good” today – especially those close to you? List 10 practical examples.
• Whom do you know that is sick in bed, alone or feeling down?  What can you do to show care and love for them?
• Whom within your family and Christian fellowship can you show kindness today?
• Whom in your every life can you show kindness today?
• Memorize this Scripture, and mediate on it all day long as you look for opportunities to show the loving care and kindness of our Lord to those you relate to. Pray that the Lord will grace you to show his compassion, kindness and patience so you may represent him well.

Leaders need to grow in the pastoral grace

True leaders must lead in loving care, with selflessness nurturing and protecting the people whom God loves – even when it hurts. Leaders need the grace of a shepherd.

In this short inspirational session André Kruger shows why leaders must grow in the pastoral anointing. For more on his teachings on flowing in the grace of God go to www.heavensflow.org

Scripture

1 Timothy 3:1-7

1  The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3  not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

4  He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5  for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

6  He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7  Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Observations and personal reflections

1. What is the first requirement of an overseer (or elder) according to Paul? (verse 1) And what does that imply of Biblical leadership in general?
2. Reflect on the phrase “a noble task”. (verse 1) What do you learn from the role of an elder?
3. In your own words describe the (a) character, (b) competencies and (c) additional requirements of an elder. (verses 2-7)
4. Reflect on verse 4 and 5: what do you learn from the nature of pastoral care in this comparison?

Personal reflection and application

An elder is one who cares for God’s people in the local church, ruling with dignity by example in godly character and mature ministry skills.  But an elder is one who leads and cares for his own household well, thereby showing that he can rule the house of God in a like manner.

1. Do you desire to serve as an elder in your local church? Why, or why not? If so, have you spoken to your local church leadership about this?
2. Could you with confidence say as Paul did “follow me as I follow Christ?” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Why, or why not?
3. (If you are married) Would you say that you “manage your household well, will all dignity keeping your children submissive?” (verse 4)
4. If someone were to live with you and your family for a year and follow your example, would their (a) grow in relationship with Christ and (b) would they grow in respect of you or wane in respect of you?
5. Consider the list below and indicate how the following attributes apply to you (ALWAYS TRUE | SOMETIMES TRUE | ALMOST NEVER TRUE)

• honorable reputation
• discerning
• self-controlled
• hospitable
• able to teach
• not given to over-indulgence
• gentle
• content
• peaceful
• family life in order

4. In which of these attributes of an elder are you currently growing in? Discuss your list with a prayer friend or mature Christian and invite his or her input into your life.

Prayer

Thank God for how you have grown into maturity, and confess your need for his grace in further growth. Ask for help to make your leadership and example within your family a priority.

Leaders lead with care

True leaders lead people whom they are in touch with. The more you are in touch with the people you lead, the better you can care for them, the more effective you will be in realizing your objectives.

In this short video introduction De Waal Esterhuizen shares on how leaders should increasingly be aware of the needs of others as you work in a group.  This is part of the Leadership Growth Series of 2016 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bV7AYmR6aY)

Scripture

Psalms 23:1-6

1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  2  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Observation and reflection questions

1. David was a shepherd who beautifully expressed in his vocational language how he experienced the Lord’s care of the LORD. In the table below write in your own words what you understand David conveyed what the Lord’s model of leadership looks like, based on Psalm 23. [Hint: look at the verbs, and discern the shepherding-context]

David’s words conveying how he experienced the Lord’s leading and care	How biblical leadership ought to lead and care as our Lord does (from Psalm 23)
The LORD is my shepherd
I shall not want
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside still waters
He restores my soul
He leads me in paths of righteousness
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me
your rod and your staff, they comfort me
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
you anoint my head with oil
my cup overflows
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever

 

Application questions and prayer

Throughout the Bible leaders are referred to as “shepherds” because of the patient, intimate care by which they lead the people of God.  But our Lord Himself is frequently referred to as the Good or Great Shepherd of his sheep – he is the ultimate model of leadership from whom we learn.

1. Among other things Psalm 23 shows that leaders have the following obligations towards the needs of followers:

(i) Leading: a clear sense of direction.

(ii) Caring: provision, security/ protection, problem-solving, wellness/ healing

2. How well do you think you fulfill the needs of the people you lead? Where have you grown well and where can you improve in each of these areas mentioned in Psalm 23?

(a) a clear sense of direction

(b) provision

(c) security and protection

(d) problem-solving

(e) wellness and healing

3. You will do well to ask one or two honest people whom you lead for feedback on how they perceive your leading in terms of these aspects mentioned above.

Prayer

Thank God for entrusting people and vision to your leadership.  Pray the Lord’s prayer, asking the Lord to give you grace to love, lead and care as he does.

Leadership are considerate to the needs of those around them

True leaders care more about the people entrusted to them than the dream they aspire to realize.

In this short video introduction De Waal Esterhuizen shares on how leaders should increasingly be aware of the needs of others as you work in a group.  This is part of the Leadership Growth Series of 2016 (https://youtu.be/9bV7AYmR6aY)

Scripture

1 Peter 5:1-4

1  The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2  Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3  nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4  and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Observation and reflection questions

1. To whom was this exhortation addressed? (v1)
2. List all the titles he gives to the church leaders in this portion of Scripture. (v1, 2, 3)
3. What do we learn from the role of these leaders as revealed by these titles?
4. What is the core command/ exhortation in this portion of Scripture? (v2)
5. What (or Who) is the standard of “good shepherding” (v4)
6. What is the promise of “good shepherding”? (v4)
7. What does Peter say about how not to lead? (v2-3) Put this in your own words.
8. What does this phrase “shepherd the flock” mean? Unpack this phrase.

Application questions and prayer

Throughout the Bible leaders are referred to as “shepherds” because of the patient, intimate care which God calls for. Moses, David and Amos were only allowed to lead God’s people after being shepherds for some time. Jesus bears the titles Good Shepherd and Great (Superior) Shepherd.  All these imply that godly leadership lead with patient, caring and loving concern of the abilities, limitations and needs of each individual person.

1. Take three people you are responsible for in your responsibility as leader. Do the following for each of these three people today:
2. Briefly list the dreams, hopes and aspirations he/she holds dear to their heart. Do you know of any promises from God?
3. What are the fears he / she faces currently?
4. What burden is heavy on his/her heart?
5. What is his/her greatest obstacle now?
6. What is his/her greatest joy at the moment?
7. Pray to God for each of these three people according to your notes today from your heart.
8. Look at your list. Send an encouraging voice note to each of these members today, telling them you prayed for them. Let them know you care and that God cares about them.

 

 

 

Leadership are compelled to actions by the conscious awareness of opportunities

One of the greatest temptations of leadership if to use your position of authority and influence to see how you could better yourself and not to people you are meant to lead and care for. 

In this short introductory session by De Waal Esterhuizen (pastor of Shofar Christian Church in Malmesbury) he shows how leaders lead with a constant awareness of the needs and opportunities that arise. (https://youtu.be/KYVmWaxl4qQ)

Scripture

Ezekiel 34:1-10

1  The word of the LORD came to me: 2  “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3  You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4  The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5  So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. 6  My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.”

Observation and reflection questions

Note: If time allows please read the whole of Ezekiel 34.

1. Whom were these “shepherds” against which Ezekiel prophesied?
2. List the accusations against “the shepherds of Israel”.
3. Now try to translate these metaphoric accusations back into real life. (for example “shepherds clothe themselves with the wool” (v3) could mean leaders abuse rights for own personal comfort rather than the betterment of their people)
4. Suggest one word that best sums up the leadership of Israel in the Ezekiel’s day.
5. Consider the analogy of “leader as shepherd” – what good qualities of leadership are portrayed in the nature of shepherding sheep?
6. Which of these accusations listed above are relevant of present-day politics in your country? Why do you say that?

Personal reflection and application questions

Ezekiel accused the leaders of Israel for being self-centered, looking for opportunities to better themselves at the cost of the people they were leading.  But good leaders are always looking for ways to better their people and their environment.   

1. Consider your past and present leadership (at home, at work, at church, in community, etc). a. Were there instances where you have been tempted to serve your own interests in leadership rather than the interest of those you were called to look after?
2. On which occasions have you failed when your decisions or actions served yourself at the cost of those you were called to lead?
3. Leadership implies power and authority. How could you as leader safeguard yourself and those you lead against abuse of others and self-serving? [hint: full disclosure]
4. Memorise this proverb and let it be your motto of the day “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” (Proverbs 3:27)

Prayer

Thank God for what he has entrusted to you, and commit yourself to serve him and those he sends across your path with selflessness and joy.

 

Knowing God 2

The Aim of this devotional study is to grow in the knowledge and of God leading to a more intimate relationship with Him.

Scripture

Isaiah 40:9-31

9  Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”

10  Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.  11  He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

12  Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? 13  Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel?  14  Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?  15  Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.  16  Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.  17  All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

18  To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?  19  An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. 20  He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move.

21  Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?  22  It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;  23  who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.  24  Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

25  To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.  26  Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.

27  Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”?

28  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.  29  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  30  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;  31  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Observation

1. Write down all the names of God that are attributed to Him in this text.
2. Read through the passage again and give one-word descriptions for God from every verse, i.e. v9 “Comforter”, v10 “Judge”, v11 “Shepherd”, etc.
3. List the descriptions from this section that relates to God’s transcendence (bigness, otherness).
4. List the descriptions from this section that relates to God’s immanence (nearness, closeness to us).
5. Look again to verses 18-26. The phrase “To whom then will you liken/compare God” is repeated deliberately (v18 and 25) to compare the two following statements. What ironic comparison does the author highlight?  What is the lesson?

Application and prayer

1. What is a god? Why do people worship gods? What are the benefits of worshiping gods? Name at least five motives/ benefits. (Look at the passage if you do not know).
2. Look at your list of motives for value and trusting a god above. Reflect in your own life – do you trust or value something other than God for the above?  For instance: do you trust in money for security, regard your possessions as prize, someone as first option for help or wisdom, or your work for identity? Pray through that and declare God as primary in all things: wisdom and direction, strength and security, identity and value, etc.
3. Take a while and prayerfully think and memories verse 28-29

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. “

Spend time in prayerful worship to our great, transcendent God who knows and relates and lavishes his goodness on his creatures whom he loves.  Tell him how great he is!