High Counsel: Jesus and John on Leadership

Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. However, we do find a passage in Matthew I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him. How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me. Although this may imply that confidence has more impact than competence, we know from Luke 9: And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. It seems the disciples were successful with healing competence and some confidence , but with more confidence, the disciples could have been more successful.

Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. In summary, the verses cited above show that confidence has a contribution to success. From calling comes a large measure of success followed then by competence and then confidence. While each is sufficient, it seems to build as the elements are added together. In addition to the prior elements of calling, competence, and confidence, character is a key element of Christian biblical leadership as evidenced in the passages of Psalms 1 and 15; The Beatitudes, Philemon, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter 1: Character, although in the fourth position of the four Cs, has a significant amount of material since it seems that there is a general sense that character is the most important.

This is not borne out though when one looks at the character of Moses when he killed the Egyptian. Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Although there was a severe penalty later in this life, he continued to be successful for quite some time. So David sent and inquired about the woman. The historical accounts of Ahab indicate that he was successful in that his 11 to 19 year reign, depending on which historical account you read http: Thus, from the verses above, we can see that character is not the determinant for success.

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While Ahab did not show calling or character, he did show competence and confidence, the other referents above showed both calling, competence, and confidence in what they did. The sections that follow show both character and behavior in which the behavior is the outgrowth of the character. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does,he prospers. The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. While Psalm 1 begins with what not to do and then moves into what to do, Psalm 15 begins with what to do and then moves into what not to do. Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.

The Hebrew that we translate as walk is halak halak means to abide and dwell. From this, it would seem that characteristics of a biblical leader would include integrity and to seek what is right this will be found again in the section on the beatitudes. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;. This concern voiced by the psalmist is not contradictory to the notion of telling the truth, but focuses on righteousness.

If one is to confront the problems of another, then one may need to speak to the person about noted problems, but the focus of this has to be from the inner character on helping the person. This does not imply that every problem noted has to be spoken. Discretion is, many times, a part of righteousness. If someone needs to hear the truth, then do so with integrity and righteousness. The psalmist says that the one who wishes to be with God will not do ill to a neighbor but, instead, will do what is good.

Note that the Hebrew [r rea used in Psalm The psalmist, after explaining what to do and what not to do moves on to attitudes toward others and self. In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; he swears to his own hurt and does not change. At Regent University, we nominate and select the employee of the month. Through Psalm 15 we see that in our organizations where we work, where we attend church, where we live, and in the government that oversees our lives, we need to recognize those who live their lives as a good citizen of the Holy Hill and to see the work that is done as an outgrowth of the right values.

Thus, we honor those who demonstrate the values but do not recognize the work. Likewise, we should not honor those people who make a lot of money or achieve a lot of significance, but who do so by means, methods, and for purposes that are not aligned with the values of the Holy Hill.

According to Williams , the psalmist implies that the resident of the Holy Hill does not seek to make immoral gain. Rather, the borrower made a pledge to repay note the tie to the prior verse about swearing an oath. Williams points out, however, that Hebrews could lend money to non-Hebrews and collect interest. The psalmist uses a concluding remark to show the underlying value of being a good citizen of the Holy Hill.

To not be shaken implies to be on solid ground. To not be dislodged note the tie to living with God.

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The psalmist presents the idea that living a life according to the values necessary to be a resident of the Holy Hill results in security of position and in blessings, or peace. In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God? And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. From verses we can see that a good leader must demonstrate integrity. The intent here is not to do what is wrong and not get caught, but rather to do nothing that might lead to getting caught. The passage concludes by indicating that the leader must be seen in a positive light by people outside of the organization.

In Titus 1 we see a recasting of some of the character elements from 1Timothy 3. For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. This last point is interesting in that it establishes a character trait of knowing that we are all under authority to someone in the organization. This you know, my beloved brethren. With the help of the Lord, this humble man, through his diligent efforts, became able to read.

He served well as branch president and for many years subsequent and now is serving in the high council of that stake. The Lord blesses his servants in many ways. We can learn the giant truths and teach them with intelligence and understanding to those who come to learn.

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We can also lean upon the strengths of others whose talents are greater than our own. The priesthood quorum is designed to give opportunity for its members to contribute their talents to the building of a strong quorum. I come now to the genius of leadership, through the priesthood, in the government of the Church.

I wish to quote President Stephen L Richards, who said:. In the spirit under which we labor, men can get together with seemingly divergent views and far different backgrounds, and under the operation of that spirit, by counseling together, they can arrive at an accord. Counseling together as leaders is the key to the successful functioning of a presidency or a bishopric. But what if unity in decision making is difficult or is absent? Smith gave us this advice:. Those who would lead in this Church must set the example of personal righteousness.

They should seek for the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit. They should have their lives and homes in order. They should be honest and prompt in the paying of their bills. They must be exemplary in all their conduct. They should be men of honor and integrity. As we seek for the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will answer.

I wanted to change some money because I was living in Brazil at the time, so Brother Carlos Pratt took me to a money exchange house in downtown Montevideo. The exchange house had never done business with me before.



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In fact, they had never seen me before and could not expect to ever see me again. But they accepted my check without hesitation—based solely on the fact that I was a Mormon and that they had previously done business with other Mormons. Frankly, I was both grateful and pleased because of their confidence. There are many covenants, but the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 84, deserves special attention. In essence, the contract between the bearer of the priesthood and the Lord is this: It is interesting that he used the word strengthen.

It is very difficult to strengthen without being a good communicator. Often problems develop, not because the plan is faulty, but because the communication is inadequate. Last year I called a new patriarch in one of the new stakes in Central America. I was greatly impressed by the great faith and righteous life of this humble man. His wife happened to be out of the country on a temple excursion. I felt as though something very special was missing in the experience of extending this great calling to this saintly man because his wife could not be present.

I have no hesitancy to urge those who are privileged to issue callings throughout the Church to appropriately involve the spouse of the one receiving the call. In addition, the head of the family should appropriately be consulted prior to calls being given to family members. Priesthood leaders have the rare opportunity to conduct priesthood interviews. Specifically, through personal contacts and interviews the leader can accomplish the following:.

9 Essential Qualities of a Godly Leader

Sometimes leaders hold the reins too tightly, often limiting the natural talents and gifts of those who are called to labor at their sides. Leadership does not always produce a harmonious symphony of faith, skills, and talents of the group, producing maximum effectiveness and power.

It is sometimes a loud solo. In addition to having all of us learn our duties, leaders should let, or permit, their associates to be fully effective within their own office and callings, and helpers should be fully clothed with appropriate authority. Recently Elder Howard W. Hunter effectively taught the Regional Representatives on this subject: Alexander hovered about Diogenes anxiously and asked: I pray that, by laboring diligently under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those who have and will be called to leadership will see our duty clearer and have farther vision to set goals and chart a more righteous course.

My testimony is that this Church grows and succeeds because we are under the guiding influence of the holy priesthood of God. I believe that our leaders can generate the great spiritual power needed to guide the work of God through personal revelation, to which in righteousness they are entitled. The counsel of the Lord to Joshua is priceless: Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: October April October April All conferences Russell Ballard All speakers Atonement Jesus Christ plan of salvation Sabbath All topics Your browser does not support the audio element.

Play Pause Skip Backward 10 Seconds Audio Download Print Share close Audio. No priesthood leader can ever be effective unless he has firmly in mind the transcending keys of leadership found in section of the Doctrine and Covenants: Kimball gives us this story: I wish to quote President Stephen L Richards, who said: Smith gave us this advice: Specifically, through personal contacts and interviews the leader can accomplish the following: Hold accountable and follow up.

Teach by example and principle. Be generous with appreciation. That it may be so I pray humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Prepare for the Days of Tribulation. Purify Our Minds and Spirits. Prepare to Meet God. You Are Not Alone in the Work. The Role of the Book of Mormon in Conversion.