BONUS LESSON
In week two you learned more about who you were born to be. The gifts and personality God has given you are for a purpose. They are a part of his calling for you that he’s been planning before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 2:10)
In this lesson, we will discover what it means to be a leader as you continue on this pathway of finding a Ministry Team that is a perfect fit for you.
YOU ARE A LEADER:
John Maxwell tells us that leadership is influence. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, the head of a company or a volunteer, influence is something we all value and possess.
The most important thing for a leader to live out is credibility—do what you say you’re going to do.
Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. (Daniel 6:3)
Daniel had exceptional qualities. He was credible and trustworthy. Who he was at home was the same person in the palace and in public. Like Daniel, we as leaders should be looking to distinguish ourselves.
WHO WE ARE: DEFINING LEADERS:
There are four things that should define us as leaders, four key qualities in which we seek to grow, as individuals and as a church.
1. We Love God — the way we serve God is important, but nothing matters more than our relationship with Jesus.
Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
Our personal relationship with Jesus gives us the strength and power to do what we are called to do. The most important thing we can do as a leader is to walk with Jesus.
2. We Love People — we love the people within our house and those who are not. We serve those who come through our doors as well as those with whom we serve.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
This means choosing a WE instead of a ME mentality. People may admire your gifts, but they can relate to your vulnerability and transparency. We are not a country club for saints but rather we are an inclusive people, always setting a place at the table for those who are not yet a part of the family of God.
3. We Pursue Excellence — we believe that the God who created the world is honored by us doing a great job as we work, serve, and lead.
They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” (Mark 7:37)
Excellence creates comfort. We want people to lean in to hear about Jesus, so we don’t want anything we do to distract people from that goal.
We take ownership. While Jesus is the head of the church (this is actually HIS church), we still need the mentality that this is OUR church and WE carry on the vision and mission of the church. This is a home, not a hotel. WE take responsibility and do the hard things so that we can reach more people with the gospel.
4. We Choose Joy — Attitude changes everything. People who serve with a hopeful leader are more highly engaged than those who serve with a negative leader.
If we really believe that Jesus is alive and the grave is empty, then we have every reason to celebrate! We need to be on fire for Jesus and full of faith. A leader influences the environment they’re in rather than being influenced by the environment.
A leader is a thermostat, not a thermometer.
We help to escalate and elevate the environment by coming to church expectant, excited, and ready for worship and service.
Why Do We Exist? For These Five Reasons:
1. To CELEBRATE God’s Presence: corporate and individual worship.
2. To COMMUNICATE God’s Word: teaching God’s word and Sharing God’s Word.
3. To CULTIVATE God’s People: growing toward maturity, building families.
4. To CONFIRM God’s Love: demonstrating God’s love by serving others.
5. To CONNECT People into God’s Family: assimilating people into the church.
THE KING’S GRANT CODE:
Our code of conduct allows us to move toward how we accomplish our vision. Every organization has a culture (a common language and belief, how people act and interact) and our Discipleship Ministry has structured a ten-point strategy for developing a unique congregation of disciples. Our goal is to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
K – Knowledge — And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth – John 17:3.
I – Instruction — The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. – 1 Timothy 1:5.
N – New Creation — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17.
G – Godliness — …we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. – 1 Timothy 2:2.
S – Sanctification — For this is the will of God, your sanctification… – 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
G – Giftedness — Just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly… – Romans 12:4-6.
R – Reputation — Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. – Acts 6:3.
A – Acceptance — So, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. – Romans 15:7.
N – New Testament — For this reason, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. – Hebrews 9:15.
T – Treasure — …store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:20-21.
BECAUSE WE FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE:
Our lives are to be a reflection of our relationship with Jesus. Since Jesus is the Son of God, we love God. Since Jesus is the Son of Man, we love people. This is the essence of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies throughout history, and in serving others and performing miracles, Jesus brought joy to the situations he encountered.
Your next step is to continue down the Discipleship Pathway with the goal of escorting others along this same pathway of conforming to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). The following diagram helps us visualize what Jesus expects of his disciples. Anything short is not being the person God has created us to be.
So, this has been the Crash Course, all the initial information you need to better understand yourself and know more about the congregation of King’s Grant Baptist Church.
The mission of those in Christ is to conform to the image of Christ, which means to become a disciple of Jesus who makes disciples of others. Today is only the beginning, the rest of your life is dedicated to walking on this Discipleship Pathway. This is a life-long process.
The Discipleship Pathway is the next course that takes you through the imperative statements of Jesus – the commands of Christ. These are not suggestions to be considered but commands to be obeyed. We follow his commands because we love him. We will look at the life and ministry of Jesus and his closest men, to discover what Jesus did with and taught to the twelve. The study will help you better understand the Win, Build, Equip, and Multiply levels of Jesus’ ministry.
STATEMENT OF FAITH AND PRINCIPLES
Adopted March 5, 2006
The King’s Grant Baptist Church is a united, harmonious fellowship of compassionate, servant-oriented and mission-minded believers who strive to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.
The Church is a prayerful body of believers working to be more evangelistic and open to change and transition in answering God’s call to service. Each year a large number of the congregations are involved in local, state-wide and international missions.
The congregation supports its Church leadership and Church ministry initiatives. In connection with governance and administration, the congregation nominates and elects its committees, then respects and supports their efforts, resolving issues in a spirit of Christian harmony.
The Church welcomes men and women in leadership roles including Deacon and Staff positions.
The Church is ecumenical, cooperating with other churches to serve the community. The Church supports the traditional Baptist principles of‑
Religious liberty: We stand for a free church in a free state. Neither one should control the affairs of the other. We support the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, with its “establishment” and “free exercise” clauses.
Autonomy of the local church: We affirm the autonomy of the local church. Each church is free to determine its own membership and to set its own course under the headship of Jesus. It may enter into alliance with other churches as it chooses, so long as those other churches are willing.
The priesthood of the believer: We affirm the priesthood of all believers. Laypersons have the same right as ordained ministers to communicate with God, interpret Scripture, and minister in Christ’s name.
Soul competency: We affirm soul competency, the accountability of each person before God. Family cannot save you, neither can the church. It comes down to you and God. Authorities can’t force belief or unbelief.
Believing the Bible to be the sole authority for faith and practice, the Church rejects any attempts by external organizations to establish and enforce creedal statements for local churches or for missionaries.
The church endorses the Baptist Faith and Message of 1963 as a non-creedal confession of faith in our religious and denominational life.
APPENDIX DIAGRAMS: [ These are found in the physical booklet ]
There are many things that we cannot control based on where we were born and events we have experienced, so the previous diagram represents those things over which we have no control, then there is a shared experience from birth to death, then there are cultural influences that cause us to be one way or another. No matter what, at some point in our lives, we will be confronted with the claims of Christ and must decide what we are going to do with him.