Developing and Nurturing Leaders

Dr. Jorge Lopez, 11/06/2010 1146
Graham Greene wrote in the Power and the Glory that “There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.”
Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens stress the pervasiveness of individual security in a world where the pillars of modernity are crumbling, creating a new dynamic of transnational cooperation mobilized around shared perceptions of “manufactured” risk.
What do we learn from Jesus’ style of leadership?

A. Transforming Relationship

Mar 1:10-11  And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  (11)  And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Jesus didn’t start with doing but he started with being. Leadership comes from security. God is pleased with us not because of what we do but because of who we are.
The first mark of the transforming leader is that of being the son. And the symbol of this first mark is that of a cupped ear. A hand held to the ear to listen to the voice of the Father and the voices of a hungry world.

B. Transforming Visions

Mar 1:16-19  Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.  (17)  And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."  (18)  And immediately they left their nets and followed him.  (19)  And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.
Mar 2:14  And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
Jesus sees the eternity. Jesus said he does what he sees the Father does.
He has a vision of what the lost people can become. Out of this vision springs the mission.
The second mark of transforming leadership is the ability to see and to translate that vision into action. The symbol of the transforming leader is shaded eyes. A hand held over the eyes to focus on seeing people in the world as God sees them.
We tend to see people and judge them as we see them. We need to see them as God sees them, their potentials and what they can be.
“A leader sees potential in everyone.”

C. Transforming Stories

The transforming leader is also marked by still another symbol. Hands cupped at the mouth. A reminder to leaders to put truth into story form.
Jesus told many parables. Nothing works like a transforming story. Jesus was an excellent communicator.

D. Transforming Style

Mar 10:43-45  But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,  (44)  and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  (45)  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Whoever wants to be first must be a slave (to serve.) Jesus came not to be served but to serve. Jesus’ style is a servant leader.
When the blind man cried out to Jesus, he was not too preoccupied for him. He gave attention to the blind man and gave him his vision.
Today. we have servants of God publicized everywhere but they don’t serve. They are being served! Media today has created celebrity and not leaders.
We have to learn to give. When we give, we receive.
The transforming leader lives to serve and give his life for others. The symbol is open hands.

E. Transforming Empowerment

Every transforming leader should be marked not just by open hands, but by hands laid on the heads of others to empower and send them to be what God has called them to be.
This is a key aspect of transforming leadership. Jesus the Great Shepherd is not just concerned with fining lost sheep but also to transform them into shepherds!
He prepared others to continue after he is gone. He build up people to get the job done.
Think, how can we encourage our assistant? How can we learn to let go? If we don’t empower others to do our work, what is going to happen to our work? Jesus called 12, 70 and then 120. We need to have successors. Moses chose Joshua. Paul is succeeded by Titus.
The challenge of world evangelism has never be bigger. The difficulties have never been larger. But the opportunity has never been greater.