Elders SHOPNOTES: A Collection of Essays: Volume 2: Leadership Qualities

Introduction
Leadership is a needed, but scarce commodity among God’s people! There is no lack of men who want the position, privileges and the perks of leadership, but there is a dearth of people who actually lead and do it well.
Ironically, books on leadership have flooded the Christian marketplace, drawing on both biblical teaching and business/political sources. Conferences and “summits” have been convened to address this subject with many great (and not so great) leaders sharing their insights. It seem that anyone who has a church that has grown in any measure feels qualified to write on “successful ministry” (however that is defined). All this adds up to the same thing: there is a widely held notion that we need good leaders.
Much of what is written, though, addresses organizational leadership, rather than spiritual leadership. Certainly, elders (the intended audience of this book) need to learn and use good management skills. Some of the chapters in this volume do address practical considerations. Yes, in many aspects the church is an organization, a grouping of people all working toward a common goal. The household of God, however, and more importantly, is an “organism,” to borrow a much used distinction. True shepherd-leadership has to do with people’s souls. The organization of events and ministries is secondary, these thing being merely the “tools” in facilitating genuine ministry. This particular volume which you have in your hands, “Leadership Qualities and Studies in 1 Timothy”, is comprised of essays on leadership in the local church. Not meant to be exhaustive in covering everything on the subject, we have sought here to address some of the issues uncovered in our travels among God’s people and elders in various places.

ABOUT ELDERS’ SHOPNOTES
This small volume in your hands is the second in a series of essay collections based on the bi-monthly ministry of Elders’ ShopNotes (ESN). This ministry began as an effort to help busy elders become better equipped in shepherding the people of God under their care. ESN is a bi-monthly ministry letter written in both English and Spanish and distributed upon request to elders in North and South American as well as some places in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and other locations. Each issue is designed to strengthen and equip elders so they can more effectively do the work of shepherding God’s people.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
No work like this is the undertaking of one person only. Everyday Publications has graciously offered to reprint these articles for wider readership, in a collected form, as a series of volumes for which we are thankful. Special thanks go to Ross McIntee who is my father-in-law, my mentor, my model, the father of my wonderful wife and the author of the first two chapters in this volume. His impact on my life and ministry, along with my mother-in-law, Joan, has been immeasurable. Ruth Rodger, having served as a missionary and an elder’s wife, has provided consistent copy editing Thanks, Ruth! Thanks to all the elders who have opened up with us about their struggles and needs. This series is dedicated to them. They are the faithful workers, labouring with little affirmation or thanks. They are the unsung heroes of the faith, who pray, serve, sacrifice, love, visit, encourage, teach, and lead God’s people. They are among those “...of whom the world is not worthy”.
(Heb 11:38).
Chuck Gianotti
Founder and Editor
Elders’ ShopNotes