FIVE MORE ESSENTIAL ONES FOR WITHSTANDING BETTER THE DIVISIVE WORK OF SATAN

part six

10B BY MAINTAINING UNANIMITY WITHIN THE LEADERSHIP.

• The goal for every aspect of the decision-making process should be unanimity -anything less than unanimity, at every level of leadership, provides fertile ground for friction, discontent, and the sowing of discord among the brethren. I Corinthians 1:10 and Phil 2:2

• Footnote: unanimity means that the leadership has worked out an agreement as to the process. It means that everyone understands the need to come to some agreement as to the issue at hand. Unanimity doesn’t mean forced upon.

11B BY ADMONISHING AND, IF NECESSARY, DISCIPLINING THE WAYWARD SINCE THE CORPORATE WITNESS OF THE BODY CAN BE DAMAGED BY THE INSUBORDINATE OF EVEN ONE MEMBER.

• It is essential that the leadership preserve the credibility of the corporate witness through discipline. Matthew 1*15 and Galatians 6:1

12B BY MAINTAINING AN OPEN ACCESS TO THE LEADERSHIP BY THE CONGREGATION

• The leadership has two primary obligation to the flock:
  Each leader maintaining his own spirituality in an "above reproach" manner (this includes a sincere "servant’s heart" attitude); and
• Never insulating itself from rest of the membership/leadership.

• Leaders must always be available and approachable. Leadership meetings should be open with only appropriate portions closed (personnel, salaries, discipline, etc)

13B BY CONSTANTLY BUILDING UP A BETTER (MORE CREDIBLE) LEADERSHIP IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS.

• Just as every father should have the conscious desire that his children be better Christians than he is, so should church leaders have the conscious desire that the upcoming leadership be better than it is, otherwise, spiritual entropy (decay) takes place in the church.
  
• However, this "better leadership" training must be planned and designed - it demands both individual and group discipleship - it does not happen by accident.

14B BY MAINTAINING FORETHOUGHT IN REGARD TO ANY ANTICIPATED CHANGE.

• Every experienced church leader recognized that one "sure thing" friction harvest is "CHANGE." Unless prudent forethought and wise planning are activated beforehand, change will almost always, if not always, produce friction to one degree or another.
• Wise leadership anticipates and moves to reduce the potential friction by preparing the most vulnerable people for any anticipated change.