Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 The Power of Shared Leadership OG Church – Part 2 12/8/2024 LEADERSHIP IS MEANT TO BE SHARED 1. Jesus’ Model: Shared Leadership from the Start One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles. Luke 6:12-13 NIV Jesus, the Son of God, could have chosen to do everything Himself, but instead, He chose to share leadership with others. The Apostles’ Role: Authority and Visionary Leadership They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NIV The apostles were the guardians of truth, ensuring that the message of Christ remained pure. The apostles set the direction for the mission of the church. Jesus commissions them to be witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 NIV The apostles weren’t just administrative leaders; they were visionary leaders with a clear mission. 2. Early Church Model: Shared Leadership, Oversight and Care A. The Appointment of Teams of Elders: Local Leadership and Oversight The role of elders was focused on the leading, nurturing and oversight of established local congregations. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23 NIV The work of ministry should be done in community, through the contributions of a team of godly leaders. B. The Appointment of Servant Leaders: Practical Care In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.’ Acts 6:1-3 NIV 3. The Body of Christ: Shared Leadership is a Reflection of Unity Leadership in the church is not only about authority but about serving together for the common good. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NIV Leadership is never about one person. It’s about the body working together for the mission of God. How can we contribute to shared leadership? How can we serve others and empower others in the body of Christ? Questions for Reflection: 1. How does the leadership of Jesus and the apostles in the early church challenge our understanding of leadership today? What would it look like for us to share leadership more effectively in our church? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a culture of shared leadership in our church, where all leaders contribute to the mission and vision of the church? 3. How do you see your role in the church body, and how can you contribute to the collective leadership and growth of the body of Christ? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that leadership in our church is not centralized but shared among a team of faithful leaders? 5. How does the metaphor of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 help us understand the importance of each member contributing to the leadership and health of the church?