"Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up"
“He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to error and is a path toward ruin for others.” (Proverbs 10:17)
What we do and say has influence on others around us – even when we don't intend it.
Proverbs 10:29, “The way of the Lord is a strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it [walking in the way of the Lord] is destruction to the workers of iniquity.”
“The [consistently] righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.” (Proverbs 12:26)
How we use that influence has real impact beyond ourselves. By what we say and do we can lead others more onto a path of righteousness or cause others to go astray.
One significant way we have influence on others is through what we speak. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].”
We can chose to encourage or discourage others by the words we speak to them.
“The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value.” (Proverbs 10:20)
“The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.” (Proverbs 10:21)
“There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)
Dan Reiland, an author on leadership, writes that encouragement is over 50% of a leaders job. He notes that even the most inspiring vision does not take hold in people's hearts without some form of encouragement towards it. [1]
People need affirmation and to know that others believe in them and their ability to contribute and make a difference. I know for myself, my first boss made a huge difference in my life because he encouraged and believed in me. I would not be where I am today without his encouragement in my life. He saw potential in me and then made room for me to use it.
He didn't give me the answers or tell me how to go about doing things. What made the huge difference in my life is that he believed in me. Then he empowered me and made room for me to use my gifts. When I did well, he affirmed me and when I didn't, he gave me grace (affirming who I was) while still holding me accountable to his expectations.
He often gave me very difficult and challenging responsibilities. But at the same time, they were where he saw I had gifts and could contribute. Because he was such an encouragement to me, I found myself accomplishing and meeting significant challenges that I never imagined I could. It was because of him that I decided I wanted to go into leadership myself, hoping that someday I could possibly make this same difference in other people's lives.
Dan Reiland writes, “Encouragement is a core component of hope. It helps people believe they can have and contribute to a better future. It bolsters their courage when they would otherwise shrink back. It builds their confidence to do things they never thought they could accomplish.” [2]
Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
However, encouragement is different than flattery. Encouragement is seeing God and His purposes in others and calling it out. It is affirming and strengthening others in the truth. Flattery, on the other hand is exaggeration of the truth.
Flattery looks to lie and manipulate others for ones own gain. When we flatter others, it is because we want their approval or something from them. It does not come from a heart that loves and wants the best for the other person.
Proverbs 26:28 says, “A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Encouragement always speaks life and is grounded in the truth. Because encouragement and affirmation is valuable, however, does not mean we should avoid correcting anyone.
Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.”
Greg Boyd noted this last weekend about parenting that when disciplining our children, we can both affirm who they are and at the same time speak the truth to help them correct their behavior. [3]
An example of a statement that is both affirming and correcting is: I notice that you are gentle, kind and generous with others. It didn't fit who you are when you took the toy away from your little brother. That made me sad.
This same style of correction can be used in any type of situation. Many years ago when I ventured out into leadership, the first advice I received about giving corrective feedback was to, “Focus on the behavior not the person” as I described what needed to change.
The focus of correction is about what a person is doing and not who they are as an individual. So it is completely congruent to both affirm who someone in the truth and at the same time correct their behavior. While correction may feel uncomfortable and painful, it comes from a heart that wants and hopes the best for the other person.
Proverbs 9:8-9 says, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man (one upright and in right standing with God) and he will increase in learning.”
What we speak to others not only impacts others, but our own life. Proverbs 18:20 says, “A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].”
Commentary notes about this that true satisfaction comes out of the words we speak. [4] What we see and call out in others around us has impact on who we are becoming ourselves. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” People who continually speak life to others and call it out of them, also radiate this life themselves.
The gift of encouragement reflects a deeper interdependence. The Wikipedia defines interdependence as “a relation between its members such that each is mutually dependent on the others. This concept differs from a simple dependence relation, which implies that one member of the relationship can't function or survive apart from the other(s).” [5]
Steven Covey notes that people move in stages from:
- dependence, where one cannot function without the help of others, to
- independence, where one functions by making all their own decisions and relying solely on themselves for their care, to
- interdependence where one cooperates with others to achieve a greater good than could be achieved independently. [6]
Steven Covey basically notes that one starts out their life deeply dependent on others for survival. As one gains skills and abilities, using their gifts, they find themselves coming into greater and greater independence. [7]
As people do their own thing living independently, it is not long before one realizes that they have unintended impact on others. We live in a world where life is very interdependent. For instance, as I noted a few weeks ago, rice subsidies in America have had devastating unintended consequences to the people of Haiti. People who were already hungry, were undercut on the one item they could produce.
Proverbs 13: 23 says, “Much food is in the tilled land of the poor, but there are those who are destroyed because of injustice.”
Whether we intend it or not, our choices can cause others to experience greater life or greater harm. If someone steals a car out of their own desire for gain, they cause difficulties to someone else's life. In the same way, if someone gives away their car to another, they can cause the other significant benefit.
Throughout the Proverbs, God's wisdom speaks of consequences for our choices and actions – positive and negative. Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them.”
And Proverbs 11:17 says, “The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution.”
As I mentioned, these outcomes impact not only ourselves but often others as well. What we do may have intentional impact on others and/or unintended consequences that impact others.
The word of God continually directs us to become more and more aware of this interdependence, moving away from a mindset of independence. Philippians 2:21 says, “For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”
Paul instructs us to live life in a way that considers others – living in interdependence with those around us. He says in Romans 12:10-18, “Love one another with brotherly affections [as members of one family] giving precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.
Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of God's people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief].
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
In our relationships with others, the Word of God guides us toward moving towards others and seeking to have a positive impact on them. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.”
Where interdependence begins to lead us, as noted by Steven Covey, is on a journey to think about other's interests besides our own (think win-win) and seek to understand other's first rather than focusing on making ourselves understood (seek to understand, then be understood). [8]
And as we move further away from independence and into interdependence, we realize that we can achieve much more by including others. The Wikipedia notes, “In an interdependent relationship, participants may be emotionally, economically, ecologically and/or morally reliant on and responsible to each other.” [9]
When one functions effectively independently, they discover that they can only achieve limited outcome by themselves. But as one begins to relate in interdependent relationships, they realize how much more can be accomplished with the efforts of others.
Ultimately, where it leads us is to synergy. “Synergy is the ability to create more together with others than we can by ourselves.” It is a mindset of unlimited potential as the sum of the parts multiplies the potential of positive outcome exponentially. [10]
One example would be a team of horses. One article notes, “If one horse can pull 700 pounds and another horse can pull 800 pounds, how much weight will they pull yoked together? The answer may surprise you. The two-horse team will pull their own weight plus the weight of their interaction. Therefore, yoked together, the horses can pull 3000 pounds!" [11]
Synergy is the sixth of seven habits that Steven Covey defines that are utilized by the most highly effective people. One source notes about synergy, “If there’s something you have to do to get the most out of this habit, it’s acknowledging that there are differences between people, and that these differences are there to celebrate!” [12]
This source goes on to note, “The paradigm shift in this habit focuses around differences, they’re not annoying, they’re very precious. The moment you realize this is wonderful, and you recognize the hidden value in it. It makes you wonder why you burnt all that energy on fighting differences, when there’s so much to gain from acknowledging them.” [13]
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” sings.
1 Corinthians 12 says that we are all given different gift for the good and profit of all. It is the same God who distributes gifts which distinguish Christians from each other. And these gifts are used in distinctive varieties of service and ministration – but all serving the same Lord.
Ultimately, the body functions by each person coming fully alive to who they are, using their individual gifts to bless and serve the greater common good. While each person operates uniquely based upon how they are wired and the gifts they operate in, each gift is needed to make up the whole. And the whole is much greater than the sum of the individual parts as each person contributes what they have to offer.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 says, “For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).... For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many...
If the whole body were an eye, where [would be the sense of] hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where [would be the sense of] smell? But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaption.
But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be? And now there are [certainly] many limbs and organs, but a single body.... So there should be no division or discord or lack of adaption [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest and care for one another...
Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].”
This verse goes on to say that God has appointed some in his body to be the leaders (apostles, prophets, pastor-teachers, etc.). And Ephesians 4:12 notes that in this, “His intention was the perfecting and full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church).”
A significant role of the body is ministering to others and building them up in Christ. Romans 12:5 says, “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” And Romans 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Romans 15:2 goes on to say, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
A significant role of leadership is helping people find their place in the body, equipping them, and empowering them to use their gifts to benefit the common good - doing the work of ministry in a way that builds others up in Christ.
Dan Reiland notes that effective leaders appreciate who people are and discover who they can become. They look for the potential in each person. He writes, “As a leader, you have the opportunity to bring out a person's best and help him to tap into his potential. The cool thing about this process is that you may see and appreciate someone's potential even before he does.” [14]
He notes that it is important to accept people the way they are, value all people as part of God's creation, and see them as a blessing rather than an interruption to what one is trying to accomplish. Typically, as Dan Reiland notes, “You find what you look for. If you look for flaws, you find them; if you look for a person's best, you find it.” [15]
Dan Reiland mentions that the best kind of leader is one who is quick to encourage and invest generously in others. It is through others that leaders can truly make a significant contribution. [16] When a leader invests a significant amount of their time in equipping and empowering others to accomplish ministry efforts, they multiply what can be accomplish exponentially and achieve synergy.
An example of someone who struggled in stepping into this role of leadership at times was Moses. After he led the Israelites out of Egypt, he thought he had to carry everything himself. He would spend all day judging between the people on their disputes The result was that he exhausted himself and people sat around waiting for him from morning to evening while Moses judged them one by one.
His father-in-law, Jethro, saw this and told him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out both yourself and this people with you, for the thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it all by yourself.” (Exodus 18:17-18)
Instead, Jethro encouraged Moses to delegate the primary responsibility for judging to able men. By setting up leaders and delegating to them the primary work, it freed Moses up for teaching the people, representing the people before God, and judging the most difficult cases. (Exodus 18:19-26)
A truly effective leader, rather than trying to accomplish everything themselves, will see the opportunity to multiply efforts and change lives through engaging others in the work of meaningful ministry. They will see the need and benefit of investing themselves in others and engaging the people in a work of higher purpose.
Dan Reiland writes, “An invitation to engage in meaningful ministry is an opportunity to change lives.” By inviting others to share in your vision, you are calling them to share in a higher purpose in a way that has meaningful impact. For those who accept the invitation, putting their hands to what their heart prompts and becoming part of a greater cause in advancing the kingdom, it has life altering impact. [18]
3. Boyd, Greg. DTR... We Need to Talk – about the kids. Sermon 2/5/11. Upper Room. Located at: http://urminneapolis.org/mediaSermons.php
4. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Pr 18:20
5, 9. Wikipedia. Interdependence. Located at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdependence. Last Accessed: 2/7/12.
6-8. QuickMBA. Management. Summary of Steven R. Covey's 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,' Located at: http://www.quickmba.com/mgmt/7hab/. Last Accessed: 2/7/12.
10, 12-13. Covey’s habit 6: Synergize. Be an Original. Located at:http://beanoriginal.net/coveys-habit-6-synergize/. Last Accessed 2/7/12.
11. Two Horse Rule. Snopes. Locate at: http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=35697. Last Accessed: 2/7/12.
19. Loder, Ted. Guerrillas of Grace: Prayers For The Battle. Innisfree Press, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1984.
What we do and say has influence on others around us – even when we don't intend it.
Proverbs 10:29, “The way of the Lord is a strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it [walking in the way of the Lord] is destruction to the workers of iniquity.”
“The [consistently] righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.” (Proverbs 12:26)
How we use that influence has real impact beyond ourselves. By what we say and do we can lead others more onto a path of righteousness or cause others to go astray.
One significant way we have influence on others is through what we speak. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].”
We can chose to encourage or discourage others by the words we speak to them.
“The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value.” (Proverbs 10:20)
“The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.” (Proverbs 10:21)
“There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)
Dan Reiland, an author on leadership, writes that encouragement is over 50% of a leaders job. He notes that even the most inspiring vision does not take hold in people's hearts without some form of encouragement towards it. [1]
People need affirmation and to know that others believe in them and their ability to contribute and make a difference. I know for myself, my first boss made a huge difference in my life because he encouraged and believed in me. I would not be where I am today without his encouragement in my life. He saw potential in me and then made room for me to use it.
He didn't give me the answers or tell me how to go about doing things. What made the huge difference in my life is that he believed in me. Then he empowered me and made room for me to use my gifts. When I did well, he affirmed me and when I didn't, he gave me grace (affirming who I was) while still holding me accountable to his expectations.
He often gave me very difficult and challenging responsibilities. But at the same time, they were where he saw I had gifts and could contribute. Because he was such an encouragement to me, I found myself accomplishing and meeting significant challenges that I never imagined I could. It was because of him that I decided I wanted to go into leadership myself, hoping that someday I could possibly make this same difference in other people's lives.
Dan Reiland writes, “Encouragement is a core component of hope. It helps people believe they can have and contribute to a better future. It bolsters their courage when they would otherwise shrink back. It builds their confidence to do things they never thought they could accomplish.” [2]
Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
However, encouragement is different than flattery. Encouragement is seeing God and His purposes in others and calling it out. It is affirming and strengthening others in the truth. Flattery, on the other hand is exaggeration of the truth.
Flattery looks to lie and manipulate others for ones own gain. When we flatter others, it is because we want their approval or something from them. It does not come from a heart that loves and wants the best for the other person.
Proverbs 26:28 says, “A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Encouragement always speaks life and is grounded in the truth. Because encouragement and affirmation is valuable, however, does not mean we should avoid correcting anyone.
Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.”
Greg Boyd noted this last weekend about parenting that when disciplining our children, we can both affirm who they are and at the same time speak the truth to help them correct their behavior. [3]
An example of a statement that is both affirming and correcting is: I notice that you are gentle, kind and generous with others. It didn't fit who you are when you took the toy away from your little brother. That made me sad.
This same style of correction can be used in any type of situation. Many years ago when I ventured out into leadership, the first advice I received about giving corrective feedback was to, “Focus on the behavior not the person” as I described what needed to change.
The focus of correction is about what a person is doing and not who they are as an individual. So it is completely congruent to both affirm who someone in the truth and at the same time correct their behavior. While correction may feel uncomfortable and painful, it comes from a heart that wants and hopes the best for the other person.
Proverbs 9:8-9 says, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man (one upright and in right standing with God) and he will increase in learning.”
What we speak to others not only impacts others, but our own life. Proverbs 18:20 says, “A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].”
Commentary notes about this that true satisfaction comes out of the words we speak. [4] What we see and call out in others around us has impact on who we are becoming ourselves. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” People who continually speak life to others and call it out of them, also radiate this life themselves.
The gift of encouragement reflects a deeper interdependence. The Wikipedia defines interdependence as “a relation between its members such that each is mutually dependent on the others. This concept differs from a simple dependence relation, which implies that one member of the relationship can't function or survive apart from the other(s).” [5]
Steven Covey notes that people move in stages from:
- dependence, where one cannot function without the help of others, to
- independence, where one functions by making all their own decisions and relying solely on themselves for their care, to
- interdependence where one cooperates with others to achieve a greater good than could be achieved independently. [6]
Steven Covey basically notes that one starts out their life deeply dependent on others for survival. As one gains skills and abilities, using their gifts, they find themselves coming into greater and greater independence. [7]
As people do their own thing living independently, it is not long before one realizes that they have unintended impact on others. We live in a world where life is very interdependent. For instance, as I noted a few weeks ago, rice subsidies in America have had devastating unintended consequences to the people of Haiti. People who were already hungry, were undercut on the one item they could produce.
Proverbs 13: 23 says, “Much food is in the tilled land of the poor, but there are those who are destroyed because of injustice.”
Whether we intend it or not, our choices can cause others to experience greater life or greater harm. If someone steals a car out of their own desire for gain, they cause difficulties to someone else's life. In the same way, if someone gives away their car to another, they can cause the other significant benefit.
Throughout the Proverbs, God's wisdom speaks of consequences for our choices and actions – positive and negative. Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them.”
And Proverbs 11:17 says, “The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution.”
As I mentioned, these outcomes impact not only ourselves but often others as well. What we do may have intentional impact on others and/or unintended consequences that impact others.
The word of God continually directs us to become more and more aware of this interdependence, moving away from a mindset of independence. Philippians 2:21 says, “For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”
Paul instructs us to live life in a way that considers others – living in interdependence with those around us. He says in Romans 12:10-18, “Love one another with brotherly affections [as members of one family] giving precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.
Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of God's people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief].
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
In our relationships with others, the Word of God guides us toward moving towards others and seeking to have a positive impact on them. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.”
Where interdependence begins to lead us, as noted by Steven Covey, is on a journey to think about other's interests besides our own (think win-win) and seek to understand other's first rather than focusing on making ourselves understood (seek to understand, then be understood). [8]
And as we move further away from independence and into interdependence, we realize that we can achieve much more by including others. The Wikipedia notes, “In an interdependent relationship, participants may be emotionally, economically, ecologically and/or morally reliant on and responsible to each other.” [9]
When one functions effectively independently, they discover that they can only achieve limited outcome by themselves. But as one begins to relate in interdependent relationships, they realize how much more can be accomplished with the efforts of others.
Ultimately, where it leads us is to synergy. “Synergy is the ability to create more together with others than we can by ourselves.” It is a mindset of unlimited potential as the sum of the parts multiplies the potential of positive outcome exponentially. [10]
One example would be a team of horses. One article notes, “If one horse can pull 700 pounds and another horse can pull 800 pounds, how much weight will they pull yoked together? The answer may surprise you. The two-horse team will pull their own weight plus the weight of their interaction. Therefore, yoked together, the horses can pull 3000 pounds!" [11]
Synergy is the sixth of seven habits that Steven Covey defines that are utilized by the most highly effective people. One source notes about synergy, “If there’s something you have to do to get the most out of this habit, it’s acknowledging that there are differences between people, and that these differences are there to celebrate!” [12]
This source goes on to note, “The paradigm shift in this habit focuses around differences, they’re not annoying, they’re very precious. The moment you realize this is wonderful, and you recognize the hidden value in it. It makes you wonder why you burnt all that energy on fighting differences, when there’s so much to gain from acknowledging them.” [13]
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” sings.
1 Corinthians 12 says that we are all given different gift for the good and profit of all. It is the same God who distributes gifts which distinguish Christians from each other. And these gifts are used in distinctive varieties of service and ministration – but all serving the same Lord.
Ultimately, the body functions by each person coming fully alive to who they are, using their individual gifts to bless and serve the greater common good. While each person operates uniquely based upon how they are wired and the gifts they operate in, each gift is needed to make up the whole. And the whole is much greater than the sum of the individual parts as each person contributes what they have to offer.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 says, “For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).... For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many...
If the whole body were an eye, where [would be the sense of] hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where [would be the sense of] smell? But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaption.
But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be? And now there are [certainly] many limbs and organs, but a single body.... So there should be no division or discord or lack of adaption [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest and care for one another...
Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].”
This verse goes on to say that God has appointed some in his body to be the leaders (apostles, prophets, pastor-teachers, etc.). And Ephesians 4:12 notes that in this, “His intention was the perfecting and full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church).”
A significant role of the body is ministering to others and building them up in Christ. Romans 12:5 says, “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” And Romans 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Romans 15:2 goes on to say, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
A significant role of leadership is helping people find their place in the body, equipping them, and empowering them to use their gifts to benefit the common good - doing the work of ministry in a way that builds others up in Christ.
Dan Reiland notes that effective leaders appreciate who people are and discover who they can become. They look for the potential in each person. He writes, “As a leader, you have the opportunity to bring out a person's best and help him to tap into his potential. The cool thing about this process is that you may see and appreciate someone's potential even before he does.” [14]
He notes that it is important to accept people the way they are, value all people as part of God's creation, and see them as a blessing rather than an interruption to what one is trying to accomplish. Typically, as Dan Reiland notes, “You find what you look for. If you look for flaws, you find them; if you look for a person's best, you find it.” [15]
Dan Reiland mentions that the best kind of leader is one who is quick to encourage and invest generously in others. It is through others that leaders can truly make a significant contribution. [16] When a leader invests a significant amount of their time in equipping and empowering others to accomplish ministry efforts, they multiply what can be accomplish exponentially and achieve synergy.
An example of someone who struggled in stepping into this role of leadership at times was Moses. After he led the Israelites out of Egypt, he thought he had to carry everything himself. He would spend all day judging between the people on their disputes The result was that he exhausted himself and people sat around waiting for him from morning to evening while Moses judged them one by one.
His father-in-law, Jethro, saw this and told him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out both yourself and this people with you, for the thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it all by yourself.” (Exodus 18:17-18)
Instead, Jethro encouraged Moses to delegate the primary responsibility for judging to able men. By setting up leaders and delegating to them the primary work, it freed Moses up for teaching the people, representing the people before God, and judging the most difficult cases. (Exodus 18:19-26)
A truly effective leader, rather than trying to accomplish everything themselves, will see the opportunity to multiply efforts and change lives through engaging others in the work of meaningful ministry. They will see the need and benefit of investing themselves in others and engaging the people in a work of higher purpose.
Dan Reiland writes, “An invitation to engage in meaningful ministry is an opportunity to change lives.” By inviting others to share in your vision, you are calling them to share in a higher purpose in a way that has meaningful impact. For those who accept the invitation, putting their hands to what their heart prompts and becoming part of a greater cause in advancing the kingdom, it has life altering impact. [18]
“ O God,1-2, 14-18. Reiland, Dan. Amplified Leadership: 5 Practices to Establish, Influence, Build People, and Impact Others for a Lifetime. Charisma House, Lake Mary, Florida. 2011.
make me of some nourishment
for these starved times,
some food
for my brothers and sisters
who are hungry for gladness and hope,
that, being bread for them,
I may also be fed
and be full.”
- Ted Loder [19]
3. Boyd, Greg. DTR... We Need to Talk – about the kids. Sermon 2/5/11. Upper Room. Located at: http://urminneapolis.org/mediaSermons.php
4. MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Pr 18:20
5, 9. Wikipedia. Interdependence. Located at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdependence. Last Accessed: 2/7/12.
6-8. QuickMBA. Management. Summary of Steven R. Covey's 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,' Located at: http://www.quickmba.com/mgmt/7hab/. Last Accessed: 2/7/12.
10, 12-13. Covey’s habit 6: Synergize. Be an Original. Located at:http://beanoriginal.net/coveys-habit-6-synergize/. Last Accessed 2/7/12.
11. Two Horse Rule. Snopes. Locate at: http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=35697. Last Accessed: 2/7/12.
19. Loder, Ted. Guerrillas of Grace: Prayers For The Battle. Innisfree Press, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1984.
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