Leadership

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:3).

1. An oak tree has an obvious shape. It is a pyramid. But this pyramid is upside down, with more leaves at the top than trunk at the bottom. We think this clearly pictures the leadership model of Oak Hill.

In the secular world, leadership is “top down.” One leader sits at the top of the pyramid setting the tone, telling everyone else what to do. He is the star, the CEO. He has the perks, the salary, and the ability to hire and fire. This is the model we live in day by day. We constantly watch it work, accomplishing much in this world.

Jesus contradicted this model when he set up his kingdom. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). People find it hard to imagine such a strange way of leading could actually work. In the secular world, of course, the model is impossible. But with God’s approval behind it, thorough servant leadership is the only way to move ahead.

So we believe it is greatly important to communicate this different way of leading in a series of principles. People who come to Oak Hill from the secular world or from churches that adopt a secular model will be confused without an introduction to servant leadership and, eventually, some deeper training.

2. The trunk of the tree is solid, strong. Leadership is based on mature, tested Christian character. Personality or giftedness or popularity or money or secular job are all secondary. Instead we want to have an eager willingness to serve, always thinking about what is best for all. Leaders, while not perfect, are examples. Their maturity is the goal for everyone else in the church. (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).

3. The trunk of the tree is thick. No tree could grow very big with a thin trunk. Leadership is plural, with a number of spiritually mature men taking turns bearing the weight of the rest of the tree. No one should stand alone. No one should year after year take responsibility for the spiritual life of the church (Philippians 1:1; Acts 6:6; 20:17,28)

4. Spiritual leaders are responsible for teaching,

protecting against false doctrine,

praying for the sick,

overseeing the financial picture, challenging poor spiritual life,

and discipling other people.

(Titus 1:9; James 5:14; Acts 11:29,30)

5. Past the trunk there are many branchings. As a church grows more leaders, both men and women, are needed. Many of these are practical servant leaders. The division is not absolute. Servant leaders in spiritual matters must be wisely practical. Servant leaders in practical matters must keep an eye on good spiritual principles. Yet the difference remains. Neither practical nor spiritual leaders are more important. All must be mature. Except in rare cases, more than one person is always at work sharing the joy and responsibility of leadership (1 Timothy 3:8-13).

6. Practical leaders are temporary. As the times change and the needs of the church change, new areas of service appear and occasionally a need is no longer necessary. So the role of practical leaders is very flexible. We do not want to continue traditional, unnecessary programs at the expense of new needs (Acts 6:1-6).

7. Building leadership is an never-ending process. Men and women who have served for years must eventually be replaced. We welcome newcomers as well as newly mature “oldcomers” to join our leadership teams. We also intentionally challenge people in either group to take on new leadership roles. Some of the courses we have developed over the years to train people are:

The Measure of a Man

The Measure of a Woman

Elders and Leaders

How To Lead a Small Group

Practical Servant Leaders(?)

Meetings That Work

Our process is open-ended. We do not know where our Lord will take us. Yet we want to continually challenge one another to be ready for his call to lead.

Leadership