ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP

ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES TO REMEMBER

Chuck Swindoll, letter, October, 1991

It's those stately geese I find especially impressive. Winging their way to a warmer climate, they often cover thousands of miles before reaching their destination. Have you ever studied why they fly as they do? It is fascinating to read what has been discovered about their flight pattern as well as their in-flight habits. Four come to mind.

Those in front rotate their leadership. When one lead goose gets tired, it changes places with one in the wing of the V-formation and another flies point.

By flying as they do, the members of the flock create an upward air current for one another. Each flap of the wings literally creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. One author states that by flying in a V-formation, the whole flock gets 71 percent greater flying range than if each goose flew on its own.

When one goose gets sick or wounded, two fall out of formation with it and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the struggler until it's able to fly again. 

The geese in the rear of the formation are the ones who do the honking. I suppose it's their way of announcing that they're following and that all is well. For sure, the repeated honks encourage those in front to stay at it. As I think about all this, one lesson stands out above all others: it is the natural instinct of geese to work together. Whether it's rotating, flapping, helping, or simply honking, the flock is in it together...which enables them to accomplish what they set out to do. 

Essential leadership

What is it?

Absolutely necessary; extremely important

"It is essential to keep up-to-date records"

synonyms:

crucial, necessary, key, vital, indispensable, important, all-important, of the essence, critical, imperative, mandatory, compulsory, obligatory; More urgent, pressing, paramount, preeminent, high-priority, nonnegotiable; informal must "it is essential to remove the paint"

Leadership:-

The action of leading a group of people or an organization,
Leadership is influence whether positive or negative

"Different styles of leadership".

Synonyms

guidance, direction, control, management, superintendence, supervision; Essential leadership thus means the action of leading people or an organization that is absolutely necessary or extremely important. It is leadership you cannot do without It is transparent, objective and accountable leadership. This is what Jesus practiced, expects you to practice and there are no two ways about it. Beloved you either tow this line or simply sit aside because your will not be in leadership but more or else dragging people along with you. Remember we defined leadership as removing people from point A to point B by improving them and making them more useful to their society.  “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”

Jesus was the best classic example of essential leadership

The first example we meet today is Bartimaeus

MARK 10:46-52 KJV

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

⁴⁶ Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. ⁴⁷ And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

⁵⁰ And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The good book says that Jesus was going to Jericho

This was a city that was cursed by Joshua and any one who needed to live and thrive here was required to sacrifice his first born son.Joshua 6:26 "
²⁶ At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the Lord is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho:
“At the cost of his firstborn son
    he will lay its foundations;
at the cost of his youngest
    he will set up its gates.”

No wonder here there were many cripple, disabled people, the blind and beggars as well.

As Jesus passed by multitudes of people were following him

Take note of the word “MULTITUDES” they were lazy a rounds and busy bodies.

Men and women whose attention was to shield others from accessing Jesus

This was their style of leadership, what is yours?

Are you the type that when you hear dissenting views and contrary thought being expressed you feels like shouting down the one speaking?

Many a brethren have been chased away from fellowships because they were very critical or loved going through each and every issue with a tooth comb.

Jesus comes to the scene with a different kind of leadership.

First he was not supposed to interact with such kind of people. He would defile himself

And so bartimaeus is heard shouting, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me

To Jesus this connected essential leadership required, to the traditionalist, it communicated separation.

How many people have we disagreed with simply because we were not in agreement with their thought line?

Jesus would challenge us to re-examine ourselves

People in church today are looking for leadership that will take them to the next level

They are interested in people who when they speak, they back their words with action.

When the multitudes heard the persistence of Bartimaeus, they tried to shut him down and shout him out.

And this has been the experience in church.

You raise your voice and it is like pastor hata furahia hiyo.

Beloved when they clump you down do not stop shouting.

Raise your voice until the master hears you

And you know what?

When the lord who is the anointed of God, hears, he will send the elite squad, the men in black to come for you, His Angles, a new posting or even transfer or removal of your obstacle. That is what happened to Bartimaeus.

They won’t come for you to kill you, but to take you to the master because so has he commanded.

And so Bartimaeus was brought to Jesus to the amazement of everybody.

Now kindly understand this that people practicing essential leadership will never miss company and any opportunity for them is to serve and no showmanship.No selfishness like John and his brother James

They excel in giving to the community and not receiving from them.

Jesus then asked him, of import, Bartimaeus, what do you want done for you.

Allow me to challenge ourselves, “When was the last time you asked such a question”?

It pains me when I see people in church they have nothing to do, are full of ministry but me and others simply look the other side and do nothing.

Beloved it is time to offer essential leadership

Shout I here am an essential leader

Shout it with conviction!

Verse 51 bartimaeus did not beat corners and start drawing on the ground.

He was not intimidated by the multitudes

Trust me there were those who were scolding him

The schemers who were pointing fingers and telling him “utaona wewe” were also there.

I decide to be a Batimaeus today 1

Arise in the name of Jesus and start leading

Remember when you encounter Jesus, the Jesus I know, you cannot be a dictator. You cannot hesitate but become an essential leader badly needed. Your leadership cannot be overlooked. You are in demand 24/7

Your leadership will be different when people here you are around, even before you open your mouth, they have their pens and papers ready to.
Remember nothing happens until you open your mouth.

They know that essential leaders will always impact them for a long time if not a life time.

Some important lessons to learn from the essential leadership of Jesus include:

i)                    Listening carefully

ii)                  Interrogating the matter for informed understanding

iii)                Assessment of the situation for proper plan of action

iv)                Action, demonstrate by self essential leadership

v)                  Results. Essential leaders are not just happy they were part of the action and result, they take pride in ensuring the seed trees planted, sprout are watered, weeded and grow to full potential to start bearing fruit also

And fruit is not just fruit, but more fruit then much more fruits. John 15:5 Hallelujah to Jesus!

There was an instance Jesus went to the house of a Pharisee,

Luke 7:36-50New King James Version (NKJV

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. "Were it you, what would you do?" And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. ³⁷ And behold, a woman (realized she had something in common with the pharisee.What is it that you have in common with Jesus? Sh had the desire you and I should have i.e. to make our call and election sure.) in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, (she came loaded expecting from the lord.)  ³⁸ and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; (poured herself, emptied herself and openly demonstrated her remorsefulness of her condition) and she began to wash His feet with her tears,(she started to pray, worship and laer on praise) and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
⁴⁰ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
So he said, “Teacher, say it.”
⁴¹ “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”
And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” ⁴⁴ Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷ Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
⁴⁹ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (Essential leaders are bound to pull a surprise anytime. They do not operate on a programe or routine. They are full of innovations not systems to follow only).
⁵⁰ Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
In this scenario we learn quite some important, very necessary nuggets from the Chief Teacher.
We get to learn that essential leadership does not:-

1.      Create a scene (Show his bigness or importance)

2.      Leaves a lasting impact and impression (change lives and offer transformation)

3.      Lessons are learnt that grow you and move you to where you are more useful-child of God with changed mind, heart (renewal is expected any time

This far how do you compare with the story of the geese? Are you flying with other, or leading your own way?
The last example I want us to learn from is Paul and Silas, Acts 16:16-40
²⁵ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns (where are they in church today? Ephesians 5:9) to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. ²⁷ And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

In the midst of their turmoil, Paul and Silas were deeply engrossed in Prayer, Worship and Praise.
What is it that you are deeply engaged in? Complaining, gossips or what?

Looking at the reason that availed Paul and Silas in this strong walled prison is not a rosy one. Some of us placed here, thoughts of death will easily fly our minds. Paul had stalled the business of the authorities that were. He had commanded the devilish prophet to shut up and sheep out. This allowed the magistrates to protest and sent Paul and Silas to jail, thinking you can silence the word of God with chains
It is possible to loose hope, curse God and wait to die.

And as we are used complaining and sharing with everybody looking for sympathy will the order of the day. Not for Paul and his compatriot Silas.
Paul and Silas were accused falsely.
The surrounding was intimidating if not scaring. They were chained all through and had no room for movement of their limbs. 

Beloved what has set you between it?
Is it the adage of the rock and a hard place?
I am here to declare that when you know the chief essential leader
When he has full authority and control of you heart, then you have no reason to fret.
These men of God understood who they were, essential leaders.
They refused to be identified with their surrounding.
Because they knew this, they went on to do and extra-ordinary thing, Praising God at the midnight hour.
Child of God, how are you going to influence those who have a programme of prayer yet you do not engage in prayer?
The midnight prayer is the most difficult, because you confront the gates to your day.
It is battle which whichever way you have to win. There are no two ways about it.
This cannot be done by lazying around. W e have to pray and prayer we have to pray, Amen!

Reading the bible I came to the conclusion that not even Daniel at his hour in the Lions den ever set out in praise. Daniel 6:10"
¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
 
Daniel prayed three times, how many times do you pray? That is food for thought.
Daniel prayed earnestly.Essential leaders are prayerful people. They live on and by prayer. Their testimony is hinged on prayer.
Indeed Paul and Silas were men of distinction. Integrity flowed in their blood system
These could truly say they were “YESU DAMU”
At midnight, when you expect everyone to be soaked in his own world of either sleep or thoughts, these guys’ minds were only affixed to one thing. That is worship.
As a leader what is it that centrally occupies your mind?
To Paul and Silas there was no challenge bigger than their all awesome God.
He who made the earth and the heaven what can’t he do?

This is the God I believe in
That why I pursue my leadership with zeal
For I know it has not been easy to be where I am but all this is because I have come to understand what my thorn is and above all appreciate the fact that his grace is sufficient.
Blessed be the name of the lord!
Beloved today and now is the time to refuse to be synonymous with pain, trouble, indebtedness etc.
You are an essential leaders
They had no reason complain for they understood what type of leaders they were. Child of the Most High, do you know what God created you to become?

An essential leader
Can I hear someone say an essential leader!
You and I are supposed to make a difference
Leave a long lasting mark, that long after you are gone we still can talk about you, relate you with given things and say if so and so were here, this could have gone this way.
Are you ready to arise and show forth your essential leadership?
What is barring you?
Move on for you have the backing of heaven.
The devil has no power whatsoever
Essential leaders are more than conquers and they know it
If you did not, now you know it!
As I come to the conclusion, allow me with all humility to say that essential leaders are not easily found every where.
They are a rare jewel.
If and when you find them, use them maximally for the impact will be long lasting.
Jesus is the best example and he is here today
May be you as saying “I fall short, I am tainted and ruined for the bins”
Jesus is saying I have a second chance.

Over all the leaders we have, he is the only one who offers us a second chance and declares in Isaiah 1:8
Essential leaders:-

1.      See things differently

2.      They think critically

3.      Speak carefully thought out and arranged words

4.      Have burden for the society and look forward to offering solutions and leaving the earth a better place than they found it

Leadership and learning are like Siamese twins. They are inseparable and cannot be separated.
You can make there go on and do it!
Believe it, Act it, live it in Jesus’ name Amen!

Pastor Geoffrey Douglas Otuko
Friday 1^st August 2014
18:36 hrs