Gospel Centered Growth

A LEADERSHIP COVENANT
 

THE PURPOSE AND PRACTICE OF A LEADERSHIP COVENANT
By Karl Koch

1.   The Principle of Unequal Spiritual Development

An examination of any Christian congregation will reveal that not all members are at the same level of spiritual development. This may be due to quite natural factors (age).
 

2.   The Principle of Spiritual Development as Power

Whatever else the congregation may do to increase its effectiveness, its true and lasting power will always be due to an increase in the spirituality of its members.


3.   The Principle of Spiritual Leadership

Those who would lead the Christian congregation must, first of all, lead in spiritual matters.  They must see this as foundational to all other functions of their leadership.


4.   The Principle that Leaders may also Need Growth

The spiritual leadership of leaders may be incomplete and not totally mature.  It is assumed, however, that leaders will commit to grow in all spiritual matters.
 

5.   The Principle of Patience

Spiritual growth takes place over time.  Sometimes this will take years of patient development, mutual encouragement, and special support from the followers of leaders.

 
6.   The Principle of Opportunity for Spiritual Growth

 The congregation must offer planned and coordinated opportunities for spiritual growth – suitable to all leaders and followers in the congregation.

 
7.   The Principle of Follower Development

Each leader should seek out followers who can assume the mantle of leadership.  The church will grow when there is a multiplication of leaders.
 

 8.   The Principle of Expanded Vision 

The vision of the congregation will expand when all followers see an opportunity to lead through the use of their God-given gifts. 

SCRIPTURES THAT SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE SUCH COMMITMENTS

           1.  I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as evidenced in my commitment to worship, group Bible study, personal Bible study, prayers, and receipt of the sacrament of Holy Communion.

“We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.”  Luther’s Small Catechism

Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together,...but let us encourage one another.” (NIV)

Acts 2:42,46 “They (the new converts into a personal relationship with Jesus) devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.....Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread together with glad and sincere hearts.” (NIV)

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (NIV)

          2.  I am committed to the ministry of (insert Church name), excited about the possibilities for continued and expanded ministry in our community, and supportive of the pastoral and teaching offices.

Acts 2:42, 46 – see the citation above in point #1.

Matthew 28:16-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)

Romans 13:7 “Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (NIV)

          3.  I bring a teachable spirit with me into my leadership positions.

John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (NIV)

Ephesians 2:8-10 “By grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)

Romans 8:9 “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of Christ lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (NIV)

          4.  I trust God and have made a faithful commitment to tithe – bringing a tenth of my income to “my storehouse,” (insert Church name), to support the ministry of my congregation.

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 8 and 9   This is an extensive, even exhaustive, review by St. Paul of the principles and practices of Christian stewardship.

          5.  I realize that the Biblical pattern of leadership is by example.  I will strive to be of a humble spirit, speaking in patience and love to all, following the example of my Lord Jesus.  I will never ask of others what I am unwilling to first do.

1 Timothy 3:1-3 “Here is a trustworthy saying: if anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.  Now an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” (NIV)

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith, and in purity.” (NIV)

1 Timothy 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.  Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (NIV)

           6.  I will support all of the staff of our church and school by my behavior, prayers, and presence.  I will not speak ill of them to others but will bring any concerns I have directly to their attention.

 Matthew 18:15ff “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.....” (NIV)

This text becomes the primary source for all correction, admonition, and encouragement in relations between believers.  It is absolutely necessary in relation to the staff of the church and school, lest their gospel proclamation be blunted.

Romans 15:30 (Paul writes) “I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join with me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (NIV)

Galatians 6:17 (Paul writes) “Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” (NIV)

Ephesians 6:19-20 (Paul writes) “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (NIV)

Finally, I understand that I am called to serve those whom I lead and that this servanthood is essentially in matters spiritual, bringing and confirming salvation in others.  I commit myself to these high standards because I want the best for the Body of Christ at (insert Church name).

Matthew 10:24-25a “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for a student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” (NIV)

It should be noted that we have one teacher and master, the Lord Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served.

Matthew 25:21a “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'“ (NIV)

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)

The Leadership Covenant

(Insert Church Name)

Leadership in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ requires only people of high commitment, those who live with Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord.  All who are willing to serve in leadership roles and positions in the church are asked to rise to the spiritual challenges that such positions require.  In His church Jesus expects all leaders to be servants.

* * * * * * * * *

Recognizing the high commitment asked by our Lord Jesus Christ of those who would lead and serve in His Church, I have indicated either my present level of spiritual maturity in the following areas (by writing a YES on the blank), or my commitment to rise to the challenge of leadership in those areas where I am presently lacking (by writing COMMIT on the blank).

_____ 1.          I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as evidenced in my commitment to worship, group Bible study, personal Bible study, prayer, and receipt of the sacrament of Holy Communion.

_____ 2.          I am committed to the ministry of (church name), excited about the possibilities for continued and expanded ministry in our community, and supportive of the pastoral and teaching offices.

_____ 3.          I bring a teachable spirit with me into my leadership position.

_____ 4.          I trust God and have made a faithful commitment to tithe – bringing a tenth of my income to “my storehouse,” (church name), to support the ministry of my congregation.

_____ 5.          I realize that the Biblical pattern of leadership is by example.  I will strive to be of a humble spirit, speaking in patience and love to all, following the example of my Lord Jesus.  I will never ask of others what I am unwilling first to do.

_____ 6.          I will support all of the staff of our church and school by my behavior, prayers, and presence.  I will not speak ill of them to others but will bring any concerns I have directly to their attention.

Finally, I understand that I am called to serve those whom I lead and this servanthood is essentially in matters spiritual, bringing and confirming salvation to others.  I commit myself to these high standards because I want the best for the Body of Christ at (church name).

_____________________________________      ___________________________________

My Signature                                                                                 Today’s Date

_____________________________________          (Insert Time of Election/Appointment)

Position for which I am asked to serve.

Used by permission from materials created by Karl Koch www.gospelcenteredgrowth.com and by Richard Kurth.

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