Maturing Into Leadership

Jesus described discipleship with these words: "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40) Becoming like Jesus is God's design for all disciples. New believers grow are just starting to down the road to become like Jesus. Mature believers, including leaders in the church, have been progressed some distance down the road of growth. Leaders help less mature believers grow to be like Jesus. As a leader in the church Paul was not shy to say: "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." (1 Cor. 11:1) The New Testament identifies the qualifications/traits church leaders are to possess that demonstrate a spiritual maturity which is like Christ. Every true follower of Jesus should be maturing toward possessing the same character qualities required of church leaders. Leaders are followers of Jesus who have progressed further down the path of spiritual maturity. Each and every Christian walks on the same path. Leaders are just further down the road. The goal for everyone is to be like Jesus. Each Christian is a person saved by the grace of God to glorify God by becoming like Jesus. The new birth results in a new life. New life is characterized by spiritual growth. Growing toward spiritual maturity is normal for every Christian. Facilitating and encouraging this growth to the glory of God is the purpose of the church and the function of church leaders. This book challenges all Christians to be growing into leadership. The Bible's teachings about the qualities and qualifications for church leaders are not just for leaders. These qualities describe the spiritual maturity that is the goal for every Christian. Every Christian who is growing to be like Jesus is growing toward leadership. Although it is clear that not everyone will hold a position of leadership in the church it is equally clear that every Christian should be purposefully growing toward becoming like Jesus and becoming qualified to be a leader. A Christian's failure to embrace growing to be like Jesus is to deny God's purpose and calling in salvation