This material was developed as a basic training guide for laity who desire to help their pastor carry the load of shepherding the flock. As a church grows, more ministries are needed: (1) to more adequately meet the needs of the membership, (2) to utilize various means of winning the lost, (3) to free the pastor so he can devote himself to the ministry of the Word and planning.

God has provided the modern church with spiritual "Levites" who are energetic, sincere and waiting to get involved. In the past, some of these unused leaders have in frustration mistaken the pulpit ministry as their gift to the church. Wise is the pastor who will harness this zeal and properly channel their God-given talent to the edification of the local church. Then again, we may have the privilege of mentoring a Philip who was chosen to wait on tables at the first and then progressed on to become an evangelist mightily used of God. (See Acts 6:5-6, 8:5-40).

This material is also designed to help us grow personally so we can lift the lid on our church growth.

We may have all the ingredients of a powerful Church: a wonderful pastor with vision, dynamic spiritual services, and a united group of saints who love holiness. Then why is our church not growing? One leader cannot adequately minister to all the needs. We must equip some spiritual "Levites" to help with this burden. Pastor, multiply your ministry through trained leaders and watch your church grow!

This material takes about 6-8 hours to teach. It is advised to purchase the loose-leaf instructor's Manuel with the CD which has the Power Point Presentation.

From the Chapter on Personal Development: LOYALTY

Webster states that loyalty is being "faithful to authority or to those persons, ideals, etc. that one is under obligation to defend or support." Loyalty is our ability to remain true to those who gave us our authority. There are times when we must trust the judgment of those in leadership even though we may not understand or agree. We should not pressure nor try to wheedle information out of those in authority over us in matters they are reluctant to discuss. Remember, they are ultimately responsible and will bear the consequences. Above all, give your leader the liberty to make a decision, be it right or wrong. You will find he will be right more than wrong if he is allowed to follow God. Keep in mind that a leader is always learning. In the process of learning, we do make mistakes.

Loyalty is defending one another. Leadership is a lonely place at times. Because we are leading into areas that are new for some, there will always be those who are critical. Jude 1:10 states, "But these speak evil of those things which they know not." Leaders need armor-bearers who will protect them from all sides when they step out to do battle. If you will prove your loyalty, when the day comes that you need defending as a leader, your pastor can use his power of position to help you. Loyal supporters will not allow a mistake to be fatal. Neither will they allow criticism to kill a new idea or goal that is seemingly impossible to reach.

Loyalty provides the strength of unity. Being loyal to one another gives us the courage to act and provides positive impetus for the leader who is reluctant to "go it alone". As leaders we need the strength of one another as we lead the flock in various areas of work.

Leviticus 26:8 "Five shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight."

Gideon learned that he could do more with a few loyal followers than thousands of half-hearted soldiers. Of course, after the battle, all want part of the victory but the real credit goes to those who were loyal.

Disloyalty is one of the sharpest pains you will experience in leadership. There are times when those to whom you have trusted and given position will hurt you. As David said in Psalms 41:9 and later quoted by Jesus concerning Judas, "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." How does one respond to this?

DIG A GRAVE

In the very depths of yourself, dig a grave. Let it be like some forgotten spot to which no path leads, and there in the eternal silence, bury the wrongs that you have suffered. Your heart will feel as if a weight had fallen from it, and divine peace comes to abide with you.

To be misunderstood even by those whom one loves is the cross and bitterness of life. It is the secret of that sad and melancholy smile on the countenance of great men--yet understood by so few. It is what must have often wrung the heart of the Son of man, our Lord and Master. We trudge along daily with our faults and failures adding depth to the lines—or? Marvel of marvels are you seeking to be the apple of His eye of your generation?

If the greatest character of all time, even He who was the very touchstone of testing, could be made perfect only through suffering, is it not probable that you and I must be also?

There are loyal hearts. There are spirits brave. There are souls that are pure and true. Then give to the world the best that you have, and the best will come back to you.

From: "Life's Mirror"

Remember, if someone has given you authority, then you have the greatest potential to hurt them. Why? Because they have given you access to their inner being. An enemy does not have this much opportunity to do hurt. David said in Psalms 55:12-14, "For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company."

"Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice." Woodrow Wilson

Our loyalty can make or break leadership. Be loyal. We do reap what we sow. It is at times when our leader needs our loyalty the most, that we are tempted to be disloyal. Consider how Jesus must have felt, when battling in prayer over His human will, he returned to find his unconcerned disciples sleeping. Listen to His words as He reached out for someone to help and understand. He "saith unto Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). How His heart must have ached when He returned again, and yet again, only to find them still sleeping. Then came one of his own disciples to betray Him. It was not long before all the others forsook Him and fled. But there was one loyal disciple who "went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest" (John 18:15). He was also there to the bitter end and stood by the cross of Jesus. "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved” (John 19:25-26). Why did Jesus love him so much that He entrusted him with His own mother? Jesus knew He could trust a loyal follower with the responsibility of His most valuable earthly possession. Perhaps it was also because of John's loyalty that Jesus gave to him our most valuable insight into the hereafter, the Book of Revelation. Loyalty has its rewards! One gets priceless possessions and privileged information!

THE SUPERIOR MAN

1. He is spiritual—meaning that his joys are more of the mind than of the body.

2. He likes simplicity. He uses simple words, has simple habits, eats simple foods, and finds simple pleasure in simple forms of play.

3. He likes to serve.

4. He is above his pleasures. He has pleasures, but none of them are bigger than he is. He can put by any or all of them for principle.

5. He is clean. He may have to get dirty in the course of work of service, but at the first opportunity he cleans up. His thoughts and actions are clean and wholesome.

6. He is never bitter. Pessimism is the philosophy of vulgarity. Rising above disaster marks the hero.

7. He is gentle. All noise is waste. God is in the still small voice.

8. He is humble-minded. Pride learns nothing. Humility is royal, walking free of fear and favor.

9. The superior man is one with whom familiarity does not breed contempt. He wears well.

-- Andrew Urshan, in The Witness Of God

From the Chapter on Managing People

BUILDING BRIDGES:

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

I Thessalonians 5:12-13 ”And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

The strength of any organization is the cohesion of the people network involved. We need to know our leaders and they need to know us. This is a two-way street. There must be a concerted effort by both to build a relationship between leaders and workers. How do we do this? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Spend time together. Remember those courtship days? It seemed like there was never enough time! Well, I do not mean you have to be that close, but at least you get the point. Visit your co-worker's home for a starter. That will let you know where he is coming from (in more than one way). Plan some time together, like a banquet or a planning session at a state park. Even a time of recreation just for members of your particular group will make them feel like they have "exclusive status' with the organization. During these times you will learn the personal needs of each person. These needs such as the need for friendship, the need for involvement, or the need to be successful are important and must be met. Each person has a special contribution to make according to the God-given gift within him or her. When you find that talent—something they can do and enjoy doing it because they know they do it well—you have found the magic button of motivation!

2. Love people. We let them know this by doing a few simple things. Remember their special days: birthday, spiritual birthday, anniversary, etc. When trouble or God forbid, death should pay them a visit, be there for them. People are especially sensitive and very vulnerable at this time. To be insensitive or forget during a special time such as a hospital confinement, birth of a child, or perhaps the passing of a parent can snap the tie that binds. People need a lot of loving and when they don't get it, they usually leave without saying why. Conversely, if a person knows he/she is loved, there is a small chance of them going elsewhere. Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

3. Listen to people. People have a great need to be heard. Incidentally, you will learn a lot more by listening than talking. People will like you more if you will listen to their opinion because it lets them know you have judged them worthy of thought.

Proverbs 17:28 "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

People have ideas. People provide different viewing angles to a given situation. People provide a kaleidoscope of choices. When you choose their idea, they really take interest, possession, and sometimes the lead and the load.

Proverbs 11:14 "Where no counsel is, the people fail: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

Proverbs 15:22 "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”

Sometimes we have trouble listening to people. Just remember, God spoke to Balaam through his donkey when he would not listen to God Himself (Numbers 22). God sometimes has to use what is available, even if it is what we consider a dumb beast or someone beneath our dignity! How often has a parent been given clear insight or maybe even some unintentional advice from their own child!

We should live and learn; but by the time we've learned, it's too late to live. Carolyn Wells

At other times through careful coaching, you can get people to present your idea and think it is their own. This is really mastering a listening achievement!

It all goes back to listening. If you will listen to people, then they will listen to you and in the same proportion.

Conclusion:

Spend time with people. Love people. Listen to people. What will all this accomplish? It will do what money, force, or lecturing cannot necessarily do. Because when you do these things, you are letting people know that they are important to you, not just an object to be used. Since our help is mostly voluntary, we must use the highest ideals to motivate people.

Lay Leadership Training Includes the Following:
Teacher’s Manual with CD containing Power Point Presentation, Student Handouts and Printable Document

The One Minute Manager - Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
Top Performance - Zig Ziglar
Bringing Out the Best in People - Alan Loy McGinnis

Click the links below for more information on these books