The Biblical Model for Discipleship - Research Paper Example

? “THE BIBLICAL MODEL” FOR DISCIPLESHIP Introduction Leadership driven by value, as identified by Marhurs entails conscious and mental involvement of the leader. The leader is assumed to use his ethnic and management commitments in every day’s course. The author’s description of leadership is allowed in all places such as churches and the leaders need to have qualities such as humility, loyalty, commitment, trust, honesty and care. Developing a strategy that can assist in spreading the word of God just because of being Christian disciple makers is cannot be enough. For people to grasp and stay in the word of God, all three aspects related with gospel spreading have to be employed. These three humanity aspects include full involvement in God’s work using the soul, heart and mind. According to Paul, there is an importance in developing education in relation to Christianity as it is founded in the bible teachings. However, it is important to have the Christian teachers develop and find their strength and power from the Lord. According to Malphurs, leaders driven by value have the impression that they are not in errand of being followed, but all their actions can be used and aid the congregation with the hope that they get pleased. In his argument, he provides examples stating that having leadership in the church does not assurance one to happen to a excellent leader. This is because, a good leader is that one who has the best will and tirelessly works towards realizing the best of his leadership abilities. He emphasizes on the need to have humility, which results to respect and coordination. Christian Leader With reference to Malphurs writing on Christian leaders, serving and pleasing God is the main emphasis. He used recent research and scriptures to define biblical leadership while explaining different aspects related to Christian leaders1. Christian leaders are recognized as servants the capabilities and abilities of influencing people in contexts that can direct them into God’s ways. For this reason, Christian leadership entails a process that has servants using their abilities to woo people into the word of God. Marphurs in his argument uses Paul to show and teach about Christian leaders. Paul begins by greeting all Christian saints in Philippi who comprise of deacons and overseers. This takes us to some two popular Greek word in the New Testament; episkopos and presbuterous, which mean ‘bishop’ and ‘elder’ respectively. This renders the universal role in practice in the early church as one that was centered at developing a large number of church leaders. This is in the perspective that leadership should only have exaltation directed at Jesus Christ. This is because leadership by one man would result into the exaltation of that particular icon, of which the latter should be accorded to Jesus according to the bible. Since Jesus is the sole head of the church, Paul gives a leadership example in Christianity that fosters on accrediting only Jesus. Therefore Paul never settles on greeting either the overseer or the pastor but addresses the overseers in plural. This was a sign of discouragements on one-man exaltations which contradict with the one pastor phenomena in most churches today. Paul gives another notion by clearly referring to the Philippi faithful as a people ‘along with’ their leaders rather than, a people under their consequent bishops and deacons. This gives the impression of ever Christian as a minister; every Christian has a role in the ministry. This calls for the eradication of the general perception that there exists a unique minister responsible for overlooking on others. Some ministers may dedicate more time and energy when compared to others but the basement line calls harmonious degrees in all Christians in a ministry. Every Christian is a leader to them with only Jesus as the sole icon that deserves exaltation regardless of the roles played in the entire ministry. There exists no intermediary between the church and God in the perspective of mediating according to Philippians 1:1 Servant Leader According to Marphurs, leaders that have the title of servant leaders are not capable of leading in a moral vacuum. It is questionable to have a leader who cannot influence yet influence is the greatest tool possessed by leaders2. If such a leader lacks this quality, how is it possible that they will influence any individual into following Christ? Apparently, the church today has denominations that refer to separate and specific roles in the titles given. For instance, bishops oversee a number of churches while pastors run the latter. In other denominations, elders take the role of a pastor in the church where the pastor remains subordinate to them. This is clearly depicted in the extensive ranking of the archbishops, priests, priests all the way to the pope in the Catholic Church. Though it is not wrong to have church structures and rules, it is also important to give a consideration on Paul’s perspective on the same. He clearly gives the impression of all these entities (the bishop, pastors to the elders) as a reference to one person. The bible applies the same terms on emphasizing on the different aspects that come with this position. In the current world, each person desires following a leader with morals and quick faith. This is the reason Marphurs uses examples of some apostles to show the necessity of identifying scripture as having being exquisitely enthused. Paul acts as a servant in cases where he addresses icons in the church. He never demands for sustenance resource from the people unlike other entities. He shows the aspect of ignorance to the provision right for the humble serving of the church. This renders a leader as a servant rather than contrary. A leader is meant to serve without questioning regardless of the presence of money or payments. These resource say be available for the betterment of their devotion in work but Paul gives a good example of what a real Christian leader should do. The comfort of such kind of resources should not alter the sole purpose of a leader, which is mainly oriented at serving. Church leaders should emulate Paul in serving their flock by giving their all with or without resources. Such kinds of generous aspects among leaders will always give a reflection on their credibility. They are supposed to be role models to other Christians, a fact that should predetermine their endeavors all the time. A servant leader must also be empowered by the Holy Spirit to enable ministry performance. They must be able to utilize the two powerful gifts, Holy Spirit and scripture, to ensure an everlasting ministry and that which makes a difference among the congregants. Credibility Malphurs message about credibility is written in a short autobiographical passage that is meant to reinstate his recommendations with the church. He shows the importance of trusting a messenger since it is incredibly difficult to trust in a message without having trust in the messenger3. In following blindly, individuals may end up making unconscious decisions that result to following an untrustworthy leader. However, he cautions that trust can never be automatic since it requires being earned. According to him, the question among Christians is not about the gospel’s credibility, or the fact that these people did not have the ideal qualms in their obligation to the gospel. Take for instance the people in Corinth: their major worry was the credibility of the individual who initially preached the gospel in their midst. Many people had suggested to the Corinthians that Paul was unsound teacher who practiced misinterpreted basic points of Christian principles. However, it was unclear who Paul’s opponents could have been. For quite some time, the most sought after and stipulated opponents were thought to be the Judaizers who were converts from Judaism to Christianity. In recent researches, it has been identified that Paul’s opponents were the Gnostic Christians who were supposed to be members of a collection that believed freedom in Christ entailed freedom from moral restriction. Paul explains his credibility as a genuine teacher of the gospel by referring to his stay in Corinth and his ignorance on the subject of money. He claimed that most soldiers were not eligible to attend missions at their own expense. He provided other examples that included the manner in which farmers ate their own produce and used their dairy products. However, he told them during his stay in Corinth, he did not accept even a single cent from them despite having the right to take the money. He enlightened them that selling tents supported his stay. He insisted that his ministry was not to seek for money but to communicate the good news. In my opinion, his arguments can be used to credit a messenger of the gospel. Paul’s will to communicate effectively to the people in Corinth was set on board by his illustration of perfect adaptation to his listeners. Most people believed in what he taught because they could understand. In addition, it was based on aspects of where each individual willed to be, but not where they were preferred. Malphurs ideas on credibility fall out to explaining about regaining lost credibility where an individual is supposed to take responsibility for it. He enlightens people on the importance of having to take accountability where the recipient witnessing the blunder should be present. He advises that a wise leader will take a further step to offer an apology since an apology always travels great miles. Spiritual gifts and Natural Gifts According to Malphurs, we all ought to be informed on the purpose and nature of our spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts strengthen us by mutually encouraging our faith. He uses his ability to explain his spiritual gifts in leadership to develop the spiritual gifts of others4. Therefore, gifts are given for the ultimate purpose of sharing among the faithful. When our spiritual strengths are heightened, we sustain and withhold unto problems without giving up easily. We have different kinds of spiritual gifts ranging within, administration, mercy, miracles, healing, knowledge, wisdom, teaching and prophecy. Paul encourages Christians to foster on developing each other’s spiritual gifts. This aspect comes in the sense that we should seek to determine solutions for other people’s problems. Though we may not always gain in cases when we do, we should appreciate that spiritual gift and seek to develop it even further. If you warn someone of something and he or she follow to your heed. Then probable your spiritual gift is oriented at warning. Spiritual gifts are varied in nature. We all should not foster at determining our gifts but at strengthening the faith in other people. Human beings are prone to a tear down more than they are to a buildup. This is because a narrow gate, characterized by unending obstacles, fosters the role of strengthening and educating other. Most of us will tend to settle on the path of less resistance, which involves gossips, criticism and gambling. Rarely will we heed to Paul’s teaching and wake up just to ask God in prayer for a chance to strengthen other peoples’ faith. Strengthening the faith in other people enables a discovery on our gifts. This is the reason why Paul calls for a mutual development in the faith among Christians. Comparing natural gifts also identified as personal traits with spiritual gifts, they are identifiable in every person5. The spiritual ones have to be provided by the Holy Spirit once an individual accepts Christianity and can be considered supernatural. However, these two gifts must be engaged in the control of the Holy Spirit to ensure maximum use in the ideal work of the Lord. Passion Malphurs writes that passion is seen in people and is in favor of salvation. He shows that leaders who have value are driven and acquire passion for their deeds, and help others from the manner in which responses follow them. This passions relates to the manner the different leaders relate with their communities and the ability to translate their actions into affection and care. A leader that is full of passion is entitled to the description of an emphatic leader because of their involvement in solving other individuals’ problems. Conclusion As stated by Malhpurs, a successful leader is defined by great works and achievements through reaching out to the lost in various communities and disciplines. He assumes a person that ignores leadership values and/or stated leadership characteristics as one that suffers from amnesia. In studying and researching about the different types of leaders, it is essential to realize that all these leaders have dreams although quite diverse. In my opinion, there have dreams that are related to the kind of world they aspire living and this can be considered their values. These values are crucial in modeling a leader and ensuring they always consider their destinations. However, it is essential to understand that a leader needs support from members of the society that includes technology, families, media and education. The different types of leaders need to comprehend the importance of having a leadership strategy and successful planning. This is due to achieved success in the incorporation of individual values both in the spiritual and physical environs. It is also essential to emulate the actions of Paul where they are not supposed to charge their responsibility, but perform their duties based on their degree of caring. They need to employ the three pillars of leadership as stated by the book author that includes; people, profit and planet. Among all leaders, whether in the church or in other vicinities, fairness and justice are paramount aspects that require complete engagement. References Guel, David. "Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership." Information Journals, 2006: P.p 23-24. Malphurs, Aubrey. Being Leaders:The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. NewYork: 2003, Baker Books. Malphurs, Aubrey. "Christian Leader." In Being Leaders, by Aubrey Malphurs, P.p 173. NewYork: Bakers Books, 2003. Malphurs, Aubrey. "Credibility." In Being Leaders, by Aubrey Malphurs, P.p 182. NewYork: Bakers Books, 2003. Malphurs, Aubrey. "Natural Gifts." In Being Leaders, by Aubrey Malphurs, P.p 191. NewYork: Bakers Books, 2003. Malphurs, Aubrey. "Passion." In Being Leaders, by Aubrey Malphurs, P.p 193. NewYork: Bakers Books, 2003. Malphurs, Aubrey. "Servant leader." In Being Leaders, by Aubrey Malphurs, P.p 180. NewYork: Bakers Books, 2003. Malphurs, Aubrey. "Spiritual Gifts." In Being Leaders, by Aubrey Malphurs, P.p 184. NewYork: Bakers Books, 2003. Read More