LEADERSHIP IMPACT (9)

“NOT a NOVICE, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil” – 1 Timothy 3:6

MATURITY – spiritual and emotional – is a key prerequisite for LEADERSHIP IMPACT: “NOT a NOVICE, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Tim.3:6). The Apostle Paul links spiritual maturity directly to leadership credibility, instructing that a church leader or overseer must not be a recent convert, as a lack of maturity carries the risk of becoming arrogant and falling into the devil’s condemnation. A new convert – neophytos, meaning "newly planted" – has not yet developed deep spiritual roots or the experience needed to handle the challenges and temptations of leadership.

Spiritual growth and emotional development of godly character qualities – such as humility, self-control, and patience – take time, effort, and discipline. There is no spiritual "shortcut." Placing a new believer in a position of significant spiritual authority creates a high risk of arrogance and failure. Leadership in the church is a “noble task,” but it is based on character and service, not status or position. An immature leader may be more prone to viewing the position as a platform for personal power or prestige, leading to pride. The consequence of this is: falling into Satan’s snare – becoming a vulnerable target for the devil.

Positively impactful leaders possess individuality or uniqueness, sanctified self-esteem, and emotional stability. These Marks of Maturity reflect in the ways they handle anxiety and challenges, the way they relate to and deal with others, the ability to cope with conflicts, and to deal with the realities of what can and cannot be changed. Every human being experiences frustration, tension, and conflicts with others, but the maturing leader learns to never fret over what he cannot change.

Individuality does not infer isolation, rebellion, or refusal to interact with others. Rather, it is the condition of a human being-in-a-group that causes a person to perceive himself or herself as distinctive within the group. The leader must be convinced of this uniqueness and be able to proceed from it, despite the contemporary trend towards standardization of many things. Self-esteem is essential because if a leader does not feel good about himself as a human being, he will not be an inner-directed individual, but will constantly have to be bolstered, motivated, and validated by people around him!

Immaturity manifests itself in the following ways:

• Having little tact in dealing with people
• Interfering in the affairs of others
• Constantly resisting change because of underlying insecurities
• Playing the “blame-game” – Blaming others when things go wrong
• Inability to handle criticism and differences in others
• Being overly critical of other people and their ways of doing things
• Inability to cut through trivia and help a group reach the major goals and objectives

Leadership is a good aspiration; it however requires proven character and a humble, mature faith for God-glorifying Impact.