The Making of a Leader

Formation of a Spiritual Leader
Rev Dr Lim Siew Pik
A Certificate in Church Ministry Course, BCCM KK

Here are some of my personal notes and journaling on the topics of "Formation of a Spiritual Leader" based on the book "The Making of a Leader" by Dr J. Robert Clinton.

I need to complete two projects to complete this course:-

Project 1 - Do a Book Review on "Tha Making of a Leader" with reflections on
What concepts or principles that Clinton wrote about were helpful in your understanding of spiritual leadership formation?

Reflect on at least 5 concepts or principles from the book. Each concept or principle discussed to be about 5-8 lines in length. Read Introduction, Chapter 1-6 and 9.

Project 2 - Personal Case Study

Write a personal case study of my own leadership formation based on major leadership emergence patterns concepts seen in the book.

Part A - Five Process Items (5-6 Pages)
Label and discuss these process items, at least 2 types from each of Clinton's inner life growth and ministry maturing phase.
For each process item:

• Identify the name and time it occurred
• Write one paragraph description of the event
• Write one paragraph describing what God was teaching you through this experience
• Write a one-sentence summary of specific lessons learned about faith, God's character, ministry, leadership and your spiritual growth based on this process item.

Part B - Evaluation and Anticipation (2-3 Pages)

• Summarise what I  have learned about my formation as a leader and what stage I see myself currently
• Illustrate my growth as a leader in a personal timeline
• Discuss areas that you will need to work on in your development as a leader, after this course - character, skills, competence, relationships, and understanding of God etc include specific practical steps you can take towards growth

Some Key Concepts and Principles of this course:

Leader Idea Reboot #1
God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary change.

Definition of Leader 
A Christian leader is a person with God-given capacity and God-given responsibility who is influencing a specific group of God's people towards God's purposes.  ~ Robert Clinton

Leadership Failure likely in
Finances
Power
Pride
Sexual Misconduct
Family Relationships
Plateau

Dark side of leaders - toxic and bad leadership
Compulsive Leader
Narcissistic Leader
Paranoid Leader
Co-dependent Leader
Passive-Aggressive Leader

Three Symbols of Good Leadership
Diamond - from un-refined to polished, cut and sparkling
Map - Roadmap to where we are coming from and where we are heading
Carbon Footprint - the legacy we leave behind

Ephesians 2:10


Important Truth:-
In life, we have works to do, Gods calling upon our lives. God has prepared us to be and to demonstrate his handiwork of good works.

Psalm 90:12


Important Truth:-

Being purposeful in our life. 

Each one is responsible to continue to develop.

Understand how God froms a Leader
Theory ? Pattern ?

A Process
A lifetime Process

Key Elements of God's formation of leaders
Lifetime - critical incidents in our lifetime that shape us
Being - 7 components of being

• Personality
• Gender / Culture
• Character
• Values
• Giftedness
• Destiney / Calling
• Intimate Relationship Journey with God

Leader Reboot #2
Becoming a Spiritual Leader is a process and not instantaneous.

Key Tools for Development 
Know the Big Picture
Patterns in different stages / seasons
Our part is to run the race

Formative Timeline:-

1. Soveriegn Foundation - Family, Race, Culture, Environment, Basic Skills, Historical Contexts, Prophetic type pronouncement. Family Influence and Basic Skills. 
2. Inner Life Growth 
3. Ministry Maturity
4. Life Maturing
5. Convergence
6. Afterglow

5 Key Focus in God's Formation of Leaders

1. Redemption of the past
2. Shaping of character and Inner Being
3. Developing Capacity for Influence
4. Living a Focused Life
5. Leaving a Legacy

Timeline Stage #2 Inner Life Growth
The greatest crisis in the world today is a crisis of leadership, the greatest crisis of leadership is a crisis of character.

Godly character should be the top selection criteria covering:-

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Faithfulness
• Obedience

Godly character is the foundation for spiritual leadership.
How God forms character and leadership:-
Inner Life Growth Process Items - can also described as SHAPING items

1. Integrity Checks
2. Obedience Checks
3. Word Checks
4. Ministry Task
5. Faithfulness Checks

Integrity Checks & Types 

• Temptations - a conviction test
• Restitution - an honesty test
• Value Check - a clarification test
• Loyalty - an allegience test
• Guidance - an alternative better offer
• Persecution - a steadfastness test

God will use test to :-

• Build faith
• Establish important inner values
• See that one follows through on promise / vow
• Develop a burden for ministry or vision
• Allow confirmation of inner character
• Teach submission
• Emphasise the seriousness / importance of obedience

Timeline Stage #3 Ministry-maturing Phase
Building Competence and Credibility

Four Stages of maturing & growing in Competency:-

• Entry
• Training
• Relationship Learning
• Discernment

Competence of Spiritual Leader which drives us towards credibility

• Giftedness
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Clarity of direction
• Communication

Ministry maturing Process Items :-

• Ministry Challenge
• Ministry Skills
• Ministry Training
• Giftedness Discovery
• Motivation Checks
• Relational Checks
• Handling Conflict
• Leadership Backlash
• Authority Insights

Relational Learning #1 - Work with People
Relational Learning #2 - Leadership Authority

Ministry Maturing Phase

1. Discovery of spiritual giftts
2. Understanding one's place and purpoe in the body of Christ
3. Acquiring of ministry and other skills
4. Growing in one's influence and authority

Figuring out why we are here - find our sense of destiny! 

Four types of Destiny Experiences / Process Items:-

1. Awe Inspiring presence & revelation of God
2. Indirect comes from another person
3. Providential - God's sovereign preparation
4. The Blessing of God

Process of Leader's development:

1. Destiny Patterns : PREPARATION
2. Destiny Patterns : REVELATION
3. Destiney Patterns : FULFILLMENT

Tombstone inscription:-

Here lies a daughter of God,  

a seeker, a servant and a follower of Jesus Christ,

she lived a life of abundance

served out of overflowing

traveled to the glorious places

Her cup runneth over

We should serve out of abundance and fullness rather than on empty cups.
Although we are often called as broken cups or broken vessels, in a way, we do serve out of our brokenness and weaknesses but I believe one should be redeemed and repaired first before and during serving in ministry.