BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Insights on leadership relevant today – Part 2

During his tenure as executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention from 1967-1979, Dr. Harold Bennett developed a list of ten personal assets for effective church leaders. I recently came across the list in one of his articles and felt it as relevant today as then.

I shared the first five “assets” in last week’s column. Here are the remaining five:

Develop the warmth of friendliness. A warm and friendly smile can melt an icy attitude of indifference and unconcern. It is unfortunate when a church worker is aloof in his work. People will not understand. One pastor works at being friendly. Each Sunday morning he stands outside the educational building greeting every person who comes to Sunday school. When asked about this practice the pastor said, “I always stand out here to greet my people as they come to study the Word of God.”

Practice the presence of the Lord. Recognizing the presence of God will make it possible for a person actually to feel the presence of the Lord. A leader’s life should reflect the fact that he has been with God. This can be seen in a leader only if he actually has been with God in prayer and carries the awareness of God in him.

Demonstrate enthusiasm in leadership. To the Christian, enthusiasm means to be inspired by God to accomplish his will. There have been few things achieved without the underlying trait of enthusiasm. A leader may lead without enthusiasm, but he will be far more effective if he has this asset.

Inspire others to acknowledge the lordship of Christ. Personal example is the most effective way to inspire others to accept the lordship of Christ. A person’s life, his personality, his thought patterns, his deeds and spoken words all reflect the degree to which he accepts the lordship of Christ.

Determine to grow spiritually. Although these personal assets have not been arranged in any particular order of importance, I feel the most important aspect of a church leader’s life has to do with his own spiritual growth and development. The development of spiritual maturity is mandatory for the effective servant of God.

Growth is the surest sign of life. As your life manifests more and more of the qualities perfectly seen in our Lord, you will have greater influence as a leader in your church. You will be able to do this because of the mighty power of Christ that is in you.

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