CHRISTIAN LEADERS’ SELF-UPGRADING TECHNIQUES
Written By:-
Adedokun Nehemiah Adeseun,
Bible-Based Baptist Church,
Ilero Road, Iganna.
Gmail:- seuntunrayodokun@gmail.com
A LECTURE DELIVERED BY PASTOR ADEDOKUN N. SEUN ON THE 13TH OF OCTOBER, 2025 DURING THE PASTORS’ FELLOWSHIP AT BEULAH BAPTIST CHURCH, BASHAMU AREA, IGANNA, ITESIWAJU BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF OKE-OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION.
Introduction:
According to the year 2025 Pastors’ Fellowship Roster, the topic which God had planned for us to deliberate upon in the month of October 2025 says:-
MAKE THE LEADERS BE GROWING IN THE CHURCH .
Text:- II Timothy 3: 16 – 17.
Making the Christian Leaders Growing is for Church Edification and it is also a way of acquiring moral enrichment. It works for cognitive enrichment which makes one becomes wiser than the past. Growing Christian Leaders is a method of possessing social enrichment to improve mankind’s civilization in holiness manner. The spiritual life and behaviours of the churches and societies at based on the growth and development of the Christian leaders in the societies..
Making the Leaders be Growing in the Church is the same thing with Developing the Church Leaders. It’s also means Building up the Leaders in the Church. Why should we MAKE THE CHURCH LEADERS BE GROWING IN THE CHURCH? For what purpose? The only purpose for this is not more than for the followers (Church members) edification and again, for propagation of Jesus Christ’s gospel and to speed the spread of Jesus Christ’s gospel for the fulfilment of the salvation of mankind.
Growing Christian leaders include many procedures of physical growth enrichment, moral development enrichment, social development enrichment, cognitive development enrichment, educational development enrichment and spiritual growth and development enrichment. This responsibility should begin from the period when a person to be trained as a Christian leader is yet to be born. The parents prepare their lives for God and give room for holiness and the Holy Spirit of God and this serves as anticipation to lead their children in path of the Lord God.
The making and production of relible and dependable Christian (or Church) leaders for the edification of an assembly of God is not an easy task. It is not the responsibility of the Church overseer alone. Almighty God is the pioneer maker and producer of the trustworthy Christian leaders. The God could not be sidelined in making the Christian leaders growth process for He is the supreme Authority that should intervene in the process through His order and mandates. He who is to be chosen to undergo training for leadership should be ordained by God through the Holy Spirit of God. God works first and the manifestation of the spirit of God in the chosen one reveals him as the second person at the work of the production of a trustworthy Christian leader. It is not a programme of a month, half a year or a year. Production of trustworthy Church leaders should be a long time and life process starting from before the birth of a child who would become a Church leader in his existence. Making, production and growing Christian or Church Leaders right from the grassroot is essential for efficiency and effective performance of such leaders in the assignment allotted to him.
Before the commencement of the lecture, the definition of some keywords should be examined
Definition of Church Leader
A Church leader may be a Bishop, a certificated Pastor, a Deacon, an Elder or a chosen Layman who is believed by the Church that he has physically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, cognitively and academically healthy and capable enough to out-front a group of Christ’s followers with the power of the Holy-spirit of God in accordance with the divine directives from the Holy Scriptures. It must be known and understood that a a person is made to be Church leader so as to be growing physically, intellectually, cognitively, spiritually, socially and academically to function as a Ruler, to instruct others, to correct others, to guide others and to inspire others.
Growing
Growing may mean increasing and developing in size and in height and being Flourishing physically, intellectually, cognitively, spiritually, socially, academically and in all other aspects of life. This makes a leader worthy and fit the purpose of his existence. Now, it is important that one should understand that mankind’s growing and development begins in his or her mother’s womb like green plants germination in the soil before spring up on the earth.
Church
Church in a simple term is a group of Jesus Christ’s followers. A group of people that believe Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, fellowshipping together in the same location with the aims and objectives of receiving Jesus Christ’s instructions and living Christ’s lifestyle in the societies. And for this a leader is prepared and being struggling to be growing physically, intellectually, cognitively, spiritually, socially and academically.
A CHRISTIAN LEADER SHOULD BE BORN THRICE
Before one could become a Christian leader, he or she should be born thrice. He or she should be:-
i. Physically born
ii. Educationally born and
iii. Spiritually born.
Physical Birth from the Womb
This is the birth of the human body from the womb. This is an act of a woman in the process of mankind’s reproduction after a man and a woman slept together, met together and be pregnant. The physical birth begins with the principles of sowing and germination. As the green plants are sown and germinate right from its grassroot, likewise the mankind.
It would be good enough to analyse the word – Grassroot. Grass first, followed by root, and then, grassroot completely.
What is Grass?
This is a green plant which God caused to germinate and spring-up from inside the soil to the surface of the earth for men, insects and animals’ use.
Root
This is a part of green plant which remains inside the soil after germination to make it stand firm and strong on the earth’s surface.
Grassroot now.
This is a part of grass remains inside the soil to make it stand firm and strong on the earth’s surface.
Man sow seeds in the womb of woman and when it germinated, the woman’s abdomen becomes enlarged till a child comes out as a planted seed germinated and springed up. Likewise the physical birth of mankind. Mankind’s birth has done when a baby comes out from the womb of a woman. Therefore, growing Christian leaders should be like growing and terminating seeds from inside the ground to the earth surface. To enable a child (whose a Christian leader of tomorrow) has solid base in God (Christ’s lifestyle), the parents should have acquired genuine lifestyle of Jesus Christ the child is pregnant.
Biblical Timothy as a Trained Leader from the Womb
Biblical Timothy’s lifestyle revealed how righteous and faithful to God his mother and grandmother was before even before the birth of Timothy. After the birth of Timothy, the same genuine faith and Christ’s lifestyle still persisted in Timothy’s life when he became a Church leader. The Apostle Paul remarked and reinforced Timothy, by saying:- … I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also – II Timothy 1:5 (NKJV).
This implies that the parents of Timothy had morally, socially, cognitively, and spiritually equipped themselves and had firmly established themselves in the guidance of the Holy Spirit even before they conceived (pregnant) Timothy and they persisted in the same godly lifestyle when Timothy was in his mother’s womb and after the birth of Timothy, Timothy’s parents did not deviate from living holiness’ life.
In this faith Timothy was born, in this lifestyle Timothy was nursed and nurtured, in this same faith was he grown and the faith in God and Christ’s lifestyle became inherited tradition for Timothy. Then, Apostle Paul appraised Timothy and his parents’ household for the Christian home they established from a generation to another (II Timothy 1: 5).
Meaning that Timothy’s parents home was a like a fertile land where seeds were beautifully terminated. The home brought up Timothy godly in Christ’s lifestyle and he became a prominent Christian leader right from his youthful age. So, Parents must be holy then, the children would be holy and fit for Christian’s leadership position.
Growing Christian Leaders is Like Building Houses
As solid foundation is essential in building houses, likewise growing Christian leaders, it must base on the moral, social, spiritual and academic foundation of the leaders to be. The foundation of a house determines how strong the house would be.
Remember the house builders at the house building work, when laying foundation of a house, they dig deep even deeper until they reach very hard layer of soil before they start foundation laying. No matter how deeper of their digging, their target is the hard layer of the soil. When they reach the hard layer, they begin Building the house. They do this because they know that a house without solid foundation would soon fall even without remedy.
This is the reason why the leaders to be should come from homes that are already rooted morally, socially, spiritually, and academically to a certain level before the Church sees them as worthy for leadership. Apostle Paul in his advice to Timothy encouraged Timothy to consider moral, social and spiritual life of a person who wishes to be a leader before he is ordained (I Timothy 3: 1 – 13).
This is telling us that we should not choose any leader by mere looking or because he is academically educated or because he is materially rich and wealthy or because we love him for one reason or the other but because he is biblically (spiritually) qualified and fitted.
The making of Jesus Christ as the Godly and Righteous Supreme Christian Leader
Remember that God the Most Supreme and the Holiest Being (the one who is always full of righteousness) that had ever and would never practice evil is the one who brought Jesus Christ forth into the earth and when Jesus Christ exists, the scripture reveals His confession, says:-
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth. While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world . – Proverbs 8: 22 – 26.
Proverbs 8: 22 – 26 implies that Jesus Christ had been the realm with God as a seed in the soil before germination and like a child in his mother’s womb before birth. It’s also means that Jesus Christ had learnt and inherited all the attributes of God (His Father) in the realm before His existence like a child in his mother’s womb before birth. And again, Virgin Mary as a woman of virtue drove Jesus Christ from heaven (by birth) into the home of Carpenter Joseph (a just man). Jesus Christ came from heaven (home) of bountiful virtue into godly home of Carpenter Joseph where he began moral, social and spiritual learning. How joyous is this? From divine home of splendour to the godly home of guidance on earth. Jesus Christ learnt God’s attributes, He practiced what He learnt and taught others.
Jesus Christ fitted as the leader worthy to be emulated because of all experiences in heaven and on earth He passed through. Jesus Christ becomes the most supreme leader of the whole heavens and earth because He has never experienced practice of evils (iniquities) in God where He (Jesus Christ) resides. Jesus Christ when He was here on earth wasn’t misbehave for a moment His earthly parents (Joseph and Mary) had never practised evil because Joseph and Mary were Jews and they had learnt godliness and holiness even since the infanthood of their life. Jesus Christ did not found iniquities in the hands of His parents and He didn’t inherited evils from both heavenly and earthly parents therefore, He knew no evils, He practiced no evils and He became the leader of the whole cosmos (Philippians – 2: 5 – 11).
Educationally Birth:- Educational Birth at Home, through Schools and Religious Organisations
This has to do with learning outside the womb after physical birth. At this period, children should be attended to by their parents at home in the first instance, then, the teachers in the formal schools and the trainers at the vocational centres should not left out and at the same time, the religious organisations’ leaders like Churches pastors and other Bible study centres’ teachers should also be involved in the training and educating children morally, socially and spiritually. Birth by Education (and Training) Formally, Non-formally and Informally should be fervent and very effective here because teaching and training is also part of the physical birth, it is a rebirth and first rebirth after coming out of a child from the womb for the purpose of growing mankind spiritually, academically, cognitively, morally, socially, economically and academically.
A person to be trained and grown for leadership should pass through varieties of learning and training in these three different stages namely:
Embryo Period Stage
Cradle and Infant (Childhood) Stage
Adolescent (and Youthhood) Stage
Adulthood Stage
Now, we are look at each of them one after the other.
Embryo Period Stage
Future Christian Leaders’ Growth Begins from the Womb
As the plants germinate, spring-up, and grow from inside the soil, likewise the human being who would become leader of tomorrow. He should begin germinating, growing and developing within his mother’s womb and encountering some learnings in the womb. At this stage, the children learn through his or her mother’s blood, by his or her mother’s blood in is mother’s womb. All lesson the children learn in their mother’s womb could be considered to be heredity. Meaning that the manner, characters, attitudes and behaviours of children’s parents (father and mother) would manifest in the life their children. Therefore, each parent (father and mother) should be careful and be living there life in holiness way. They should be careful of their doings, actions, behaviours and sayings. They should be mindful of eatings and drinks, the parents should be disciplined and self-denialed before they begin sleeping together, meeting for processing the production of children. This is highly important because the parents’ doings, actions, behaviours and sayings, eatings and drinks of the parents would be inherited from parents by the children. This is possible because the father and mother’s blood is their children’s blood. One should remember that the embryo children enjoy their time to time feeding in the womb through the flow and circulation of blood in their mother’s womb. If the parents live is rough and ungodly, it would be a hard work to put the children of such parents through in life.
A Good Example of Growing Christian Leaders
Taking for instance, Elikannah and Hannah, the parents of biblical Samuel were very devoted men of God, extremely busy in the service of the Lord God, always seeking for the face of God and constantly listening to God’s instructions. They were endured prayerfully in their request for children from God and vow to make their child God’s if God could provide them child and they fulfilled their vow when their first child was born by surrendering the child (Samuel) unto God to be trained by the God’s Prophet (Eli) for God’s use. It is very clear that Samuel’s parents before meeting together for pregnancy were very godly. When Hannah was pregnant, both Hannah and Elikannah her husband were always with God even after the birth of Samuel, when Samuel was at the infant stage, Elikannah was always busy with God in temple while Hannah the mother of Samuel was busy with Samuel nursing and nurturing him physically, morally, socially and spiritually before Samuel was taken to the temple where he learnt prophetic skills under the leadership of Prophet Eli. Samuel learnt prophetic work, he was perfected and succeeded Eli as a religious and political leader of Israel (II Samuel Chapter 1 and 2).
This implies that a person to be trained and grown unstressfully as a future Church leader should come out from the womb of godly and well devoted parents so that the person would be well trained morally, socially and spiritually by his or her parents starting from the day one of his or her birth before he or she could be sent out for further training and education outside the home.
Cradle and Infant (Childhood) Stage
Future Leaders’ Requires more Attention at the Infant Stage
Immediately a child is born into cradle, his mother (Hannah – the mother of Samuel) stands as teacher who would be training him how to eat and drink through mouth, how to take bath and how to dress. The child would be learning sitting, crawling and trekking. The mother responsibles for immediate children’s training after birth while the father works to provide necessities for living for home. But father should also have time to sit, play and talk godly, morally, wisely with infants and behaves well in his or her presence though the child may not respond but the he or she sees and hears. All these should be done because each leader should pass through all these stages if he would surely become leader in future and this is the beginning of growing unknowingly when he has not yet been detected. The parent (mother) should take her responsibilities with care and seriousness because slight mistake at the cradle and Infant stage may lead to life ruin and destruction.
From age one onward is Infant and cradle stage. Baby’s sense organs like ears, eyes, nose and tongue in his mouth have started functioning properly. At this stage, hearing through ears, seeing through eyes, moving parts of the body like head, hands and legs are noticed. Sounds from mouth, practising of conversation and trekking are in process. The moral, spiritual and educational training should quickly be introduced the to children for to begin early is better. So, training the young ones for future leadership is required to enable them be fully equipped for leadership assignment ahead of them in the future. A parent who careless with his or her responsibilities at this stage had made the leadership training for children be a very hard work in life for the children.
Adolescent (and Youthhood) Stage
Adolescent stage of a child is a period between puberty and maturity. Puberty period for females usually begins at the age of twelve of child when the female children observe some developments like breast growing and appearance of hair in her arm-pits and at the private parts on her body while the male children’s puberty period starts from age fourteen when his arm-pits hair and beard begin growing.
By this period, additional effort must be made by both parents and external training organisations like schools and religious centres because handling the children without thorough monitoring may spoil such children.
In this period, parents should handle their children with seriousness. Parents should always stand as guidance and teachers to their children. The parents should fulfil the mandate of God in Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 7 which says:-
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
The parents should always be cleverly monitoring their children to know their friends and the gathering they belong. Visitations to the children’s schools should be very constant to save the children away from bad groups and cultism, these type of children would be unstressful growable leaders.
The leaders that are very easy to grow and develop are the set of people that in the commandments obedience to the commandments of God. God in the scriptures (Fifth book of Moses) says:-
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up – Deuteronomy 6: 6 – 7 (KJV).
The word of God above implies that the parental primary assignment of moral and spiritual guidance is necessary and important. The parents (both father and mother) work harder for the upliftment and future success of their children. The parents should not allow children’s total freedom from them. Always being together is required. Children’s moving together with parents is expected to enable the children know and understand where to be going, where should be avoided and why a place should be avoided. Parents and children sitting together is essential to enable the children learn and understand the manner of talking. Sleeping in the same bedroom should not be cut-off. There are some sleeping training which are very crucial to impact in children’s lives, both males and females children sleep in the same bedroom with parents right from day one of their existence till a certain age when the parents feel to allocate different bedroom to male and female. It is after the rooms allocation the parents visit their bedroom rooms to see how their belongings arranged and how they live their lives in their rooms and this sleeping training makes an individual fits as a spouse in their future matrimonial home bedroom. Even, parents and children’s eating together in the dinning room on the dinning table is not exempted so as to teach the children table manner.
The parents should neither relent nor relax on the training, teaching, nurturing and guiding of their children, thorough supervision and observations on each child is required for corrections, rebuking when necessary and acknowledging the children until they reach the stage of being self-reliance (II Timothy 3: 16 – 17).
All should understand that God does not expect any ungodly and lazy (or an idle) person in leadership but all the Children of God who are active physically, morally, Spiritually, cognitively and even, academically are the expectation of God to represent Him (God) on every vacancy leadership position. Therefore, if one that is not brought up in a Christian’s home is worthy and fits in our own sight to be selected for the position of a responsibility as a steward to serve people as a servant, such should undergo trainings of different kinds.
An adult who did not experience spiritual guidance of Christian parents according to Deuteronomy 6: 6 is not fits for any leadership position because the guidance is base on which other training would build upon.
The person is spiritually a child, no senior leader should consider such person as adult, he is a child and he should start his training as a child. There are some people that were not oppourtuned to be trained in the ways of God right from their infant stage but through thorough supervision and observations, they’re suspected that if they were trained, they would be useful in one or the other position, for these set of people, the Church should ready to serve them as parents serve their children and as teacher to students.
Taking for instance, he who wants to have formal education could not be educated and achieve his aims and objectives unless he starts his learning process from the beginning alphabet reading, studying, memorisation and meditation. Learning and training are one step after the other procedures and It is after been perfect in the primary training, the trainees proceed to the next level which is regular participation in the Church programmes for his own personal salvation of his own soul and this is the level two. Level (or stage) three are the series of leadership training for those whom God had called and selected by the Church to serve God and man. They must be bombarded with series of leadership training to test their patients and to observe their now and future participation.
Adulthood Stage
REGULAR LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Before the commencement of this study, one should understand that one who is not ready, who has no interest in an event could never gain anything in such event. Likewise he who wants to be one of the Church leaders, he should has interest and be ready to bear all it’s cost. Among the cost which the Church leaders should be ready to bear is sacrifice of life. As Jesus Christ in the scriptures says, one should lose his life to regain it back (Matthew 16: 25) Apostle Paul is also beseeching brethren to please surrender themselves unto God as a living holy sacrifice (Romans 12: 1 – 2). For one who wants to be a Church leader, readiness and servanthood is required. He must see himself as an apprentice or envoy who is called to serve others as servant. As a servant is always expecting order from his master to obey all the time likewise the Christian leader. As an apprentice is trainable, Christ’s followers should also be leadable and teachable for the offices of leaders in the Church for personal and the Church spiritual growth as a whole.
Negligence of Christian Parents in Growing their Children right from the day of their Birth results at Production of Ungodly and Violent Leaders
Being an effective, efficient and godly Christian leader is highly commendable and acknowledged by God. All these things can only be possible through Bible-studies, Bible-teachings, lecturing from the scriptures and discussions from the scriptures and starting from age zero of life is required. To be sincere, it would be exceedingly easier for a person who has being undergoing moral and spiritual (godly) training since his or her birth period to accept the offer of a position of leadership with readiness to attend training, with full patience under the leadership training and with readiness to bear the cost of being a Christian leader. One should remember that because Eli failed to train his sons (Hophni and Phinehas) the way of the Lord right from their childhood, they were untrainable again when they became adults (I Samuel 2: 12 – 17; 22 – 25) and this led them to become sons of belial (I Samuel 2: 12) and the sons of belial should not lead in the temple of God due to their satanic (violent) acts they possessed. So, Hophni and Phinehas were condemned and disqualified to succeed Eli their father by God (I Samuel 2: 27 – 36) Likewise sons of Samuel (Joel and Abijah), they were extremely wicked and corrupt. They acted as Judge in Israel in anticipation for the position of king of Israel after Samuel their father but Joel and Abijah were very violent, they were accepting bribes, taking dishonest gain, and perverting justice and the Israelites rejected Joel and Abijah to be their future leaders. So,they were not fit to sit on the leadership throne of Israel though they wished to succeed their father as spiritual and political leader of Israel but because they were not trained from the beginning of their life, they could neither admit nor acknowledge training again and this enabled them lack leadership lifestyles and they were shamefully disapproved by the Israelites(I Samuel 8: 1 – 5). So, it is not good enough for a Christian body to choose her leaders by mere looking with naked eyes, it should not be consideration of how smartness a person is, education is good and required but by the level of his or her education he or she acquired, wealth is highly acknowledged but it is nothing. When it comes to the situation of selection of Christian leaders for propagation of gospel and edification of the spiritual growth and life of the Church members, the most essential first requirement is how powerful the spiritual life of a person to select, participation and punctuality in all Church programme should be screened. The background of his or her Spiritual training and life even since his or her age zero of his or her life should also be put into consideration for screening.
TEACHING AS THE BETTER MEANS FOR GROWING MANKIND THAN PREACHING
Teaching is the best means of making the followers of Christ be growing and developing in all areas of life that human beings are expected to be grown and developed. Preaching can do but little. Preaching cannot quicken (or speed up) followers’ growth. Infact, during sermon presentation, there may be misconceptions which may lead some among the audience astray and to ungodly and violent acts. In teaching too, there may also be misconceptions but before the end of the class, all misconceptions would be treated and clarified through questions and answers and it would results at godly and peaceful acts in the societies. Note that there is no question and answer in and after preaching. Preaching mandates it’s audience to have it like that and go. No room for questions on misconceptions! In growing Christian followers, teaching is good and Preaching is also good but one is better than the other! Period!
In Jesus Christ’s time here on earth, His ministry was full of teaching where He used teaching methods of different kinds purposely to enable His listeners here His teaching clearly and understand better, and this made His (Jesus Christ’s) teaching be effective in His followers’ life.
Teaching as a Powerful Building Tool
There is a statement of philosophy which says “the teachers are the nation builders”. It is a truth because all the artistic works, designs of different kinds of structures and figures, painting and decorations of different kinds, etc are successfully done by the artisans of different skills. Taking for instance, different kinds of buildings, vehicles, raods and bridges are built by men that undergone training under one teacher or the other. The social amenities and other infrastructures are the products of a set of people who passed through one or the other training under the leadership some trainers.
All these products which make our environment looks as we see it today would have not been existed if not because of the made effort of the well-trained personnel. The trained personnel could do nothing without the assistance of professional co-workers and labourers. All of the above resources would have been devaluated and useless assuming there are no instructors that are giving instructions (i.e. teaching) and guidance on the development, progress and growth in the societies. But because there teachers teaching what to do and how to do, what to make and how to make it, what to produce and how to produce it, what to establish and how to establish it, etc the societies are able to develop to the level they found themselves today. This implies that teaching (orientation) is a tool that aids and quicken development, progress and growth in the societies. Therefore:-
Christian leader who wants to develop the Church morally, socially , cognitively and spiritually (even materially) should put more effort in preparing meaningful teachings that would assist the audience to be refined morally and spiritually.
A Church leader who wants his members to be renewed and progress needs to study the scriptures wide and be ready for delivery.
Each Christian leader should understand that the audience benefit more in teaching with full preparation than preaching because there is room for interaction (i.e. addition and subtraction, questions and answers).
He should ready to welcome maximum questions to answer for the benefits of the audience.
The Christ’s Disciples Achieved their Growth Through Their Master’s Teaching
Taking for instance, Jesus Christ taught a number of people in parables, one day, He used the parable of the sower to explain the level of spiritual growth in individuals. But to the hearers, the parable was just a tale that has no meaning. But it was later when the disciples and some other followers came back to the Master Jesus Christ to have Teaching and Learning Process interaction together, they then known and understood all about the parable of the sower (Luke 8: 4 – 15, Mark 4: 1 – 12, Matthew 13: 1 – 23. This implies that teaching functions as the best way of speed up growing the followers. So, Christian should put more effort in Bible teaching and learning process.
Jesus Christ and Nicodemus prove Teaching as the Best Tool for Spiritual Growth
Another example, in one of the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ was teaching “Being born again” and “How could one be born again”? Mr. Nicodemus (a Pharisee and Jews’ Ruler) was among the audience when Jesus Christ taught the people about Being Born Again. He (Jesus Christ) said that all each should be born again to be a bonafide citizen of the Kingdom of God (John 3: 3). All the listeners who heard the teaching began contemplating that how possible is it for an adult ones (I add even a week old person) to re-enter or go back into his mother’s womb so as to be reborn or born again? Assuming it was preaching, all of these people each after departure would went home and they would sat down their mother each and enforced them to swallow them each compulsorily and give birth to them ones again.
But to Nicodemus, these teaching was confusing, Nicodemus then rescheduled another teaching and learning process hour between him and the Lord Jesus Christ and Nicodemus prepared very well to make the teaching and learning process between him and Jesus Christ be an Interactive Teaching and Learning Process (i.e. Questions and Answers Teaching Methods and when they met, Nicodemus asked questions and Jesus Christ answers. This Teaching Method made everything about “Being Born Again” clear to Nicodemus and this made Nicodemus and the following generations be well satisfied (John 3: 1 – 21). Meaning that enough questions should be allowed after teaching and learning process and solutions must be provided to all questions asked. Even, if solutions to a or some questions could not be provided instantly, postphonement of answers to the difficult questions is required and allowed for more research of the truth concerning such questions. In the light of this, teaching and learning process proves itself as the best way of growing the followers.
Phillip’s Teaching to Ethiopian Eunuch Authenticates Teaching as a Growing Tool
The Acts of Apostles chapter 8: 26 – 40 proves teaching as one of the best tools that could haste understanding under learning. The scripture says:-
[26] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” [27] So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” [30] Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. [31] “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. [33] In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” [34] The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” [35] Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. [36] As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
[38] And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. [39] When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. [40] Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea – Acts 8: 26 – 40 (NIV).
Here, it’s noticed that:-
The Ethiopian Eunuch knew nothing about Jesus Christ and His gospel.
The Ethiopian Eunuch could read because he is a literate but he lacked understanding of his reading.
Ethiopian Eunuch wished one to help him explaining the reading
And luckily enough, he was able to receive God’s favour by meeting Phillip who assisted him explained the reading.
Ethiopian Eunuch was able to ask unclear questions and the questions were answered by Phillip and very cleared and understood to Ethiopian Eunuch hearing.
So, one should now be aware that teaching aids growth faster than preaching.
Apostle Paul’s Methods of Gospel Propagation proves Teaching as the Best means Growing Church Leaders
Apostle Paul saw the discussion and symposium as effective means of bringing up the people in Christ (Acts 19: 8) the craftiness and being an observant of Apostle Paul made him notice whether the teaching-learning-process are assimilating and being accumulated in to people’s life or not made him understand that a method of teaching may be faulty and if a teaching method is faulty, the teacher needs to switch to another method for the purpose of positive and good outcome at the end (Acts 19: 9 – 10).
So, this paper sees being crafty of a Christian facilitator is required and the effective effort to grow Church leaders in all areas of life may include discussions and symposium on some biblical contents. And again, facilitator or recruiter’s observation is necessary, the followers or learners’ attitudes and response to training is extremely important to be watching, if the facilitator or recruiter notice that the class is no more interesting, changing of method is in need. Or, there may be break and stop for the day to go and relax in preparation for another day with a very interesting method of teaching (Acts of Apostle 19: 8 – 10).
Apollo as a Biblical God’s Word Teacher in Perseverance
Apollo was a good Biblical Teacher of the words of God. He was an Apostle who always be prepared for teaching God’s word. The scriptures talked of him that he was Biblical equipped and eloquent in teaching the word of God. Meaning that he could teach and express himself extremely (Acts 18: 24).
But why and how was he able to possess this skill ( or quality)? The scriptures make it known to us that:
He was Biblically Equipped (Acts 18: 24).
This implies that he had enough scriptures of those biblical Prophets with him. He was always being with other brethren, fellowshiping together regularly. He was observing his quiet time regularly. He was always reading and studying the scriptures and meditating in comparison with the lifestyles of the society. This made him understand what to teach, how to teach, where to teach, when to teach and teaching to whom?
Apollo was a Learned ( Acts 18 : 25).
No matter how social a person is, it’s only things he knows he would know and understand. What he doesn’t know, he would never know unless he learns. Apollo learnt in the way of the Lord. One could understand that acquiring knowledge is one stage after the other, Apollo had acquired his spiritual knowledge to a level of the baptism of John the baptized and he used to teach people what he knew (Acts 18: 25).
Being Courageous at Teaching (Acts 18: 26).
Boldness to stand and talk in the presence of multitude is a powerful quality to strive or struggle for. Ability to present expression confidently results at self exposition. It is exposition in the sense that such person would see himself how good in expression is he and he would be evaluated by people who heard him and this would be an opportunity to progress further after the analysis of performance.
Teaching Aids a Church Leader’s Spiritual Growth (Acts 18: 26).
There was a home (a husband and wife called Aquila and Priscilla) that are more equipped with the knowledge of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, they were fortunate to be under Apollo’s teaching, in hearing Apollo, they understood the the level of his knowledge in the Jesus Christ and His gospel, Aquila and Priscilla invited Apollo and accommodated him for a while taught him widely and discussed vividly with him more about Jesus Christ and His gospel and allowed him to go.
All these discussions indicate that in teaching and learning process, leaders in the Church are growing up quickly than through other means. Be informed that a lazy and an idle one can’t grow as a leader.
GROWING CHRISTIAN LEADERS INVOLVES RESEARCH, READING, STUDYING AND MEDITATION
Definition of Research
Research could mean enquiry and findings. Research is a means of enquiry and finding of facts to know and understand more about a certain thing for the purpose of increasing knowledge and wisdom.
Research is an act of scholars. The researchers are troublesome. They usually create problems for themselves by themselves and solve the problems by themselves. Each of them thinking faculty always at work actively. Their problems to solve usually begin with questions like:- Who is…? Who are…? Which is…? What is …? What are…? When was …? Why did…? How…? etc.
All the questions and the likes would become their problems which they would be struggling upon to find out their answers and solutions. The more the research of a researcher is the more the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and wisdom of such researcher and by this, there would be surely manifestation of growth and development cognitively and academically.
Growth and development of a researcher based on the area of his interest or specialisation. For instance, a researcher on mathematics would be increasing in the knowledge and understanding of calculations. Linguist’s growth and development manifest in his tongue so is a Christian leader as Bible scholar who surrenders himself unto findings and researches of the Biblical mysteries. As the scripture says:- … if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, … you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God – Proverbs 2:4 – 5 (NIV). He who has zeal in knowing and understand more about God would extremely grow, develop and excel. Therefore, the Christian leaders should have zeal for research pertaining to the heart of God so that the followers would be certain of what the Bible really teaches.
Definition of Reading
Reading is an act of interpretation. Reading is the cognitive process of understanding and interpreting a written information. The main purpose of reading the holy scriptures is to know and understand God and His will, reading the scriptures could also serves as a means of transformation into God’s likeness, Bible reading grows and develops Christian leaders spiritually, it makes Church leaders have a deeper relationship with Him (God), it gives both Christian leaders and Church members wisdom for life living and strengthens them to live righteous life and it helps one to aloof iniquities. It serves as a guide for life, a source of peace and hope for the Christians, and a tool for discernment, correction, and it also equips Christians for every good work (II Timothy 3: 16 – 17).
Apostle Paul told Timothy (his son in the Lord) that he would come back to him, he then encouraged him not to relax in reading till his arrival, Timothy should devote himself to the reading of word of God and that he (Timothy) should always be preaching and teaching people the word of God. He (Timothy) should not relent in making use of his spiritual gift, which was given to him and he must be very serious with these instructions so that both him ( Timothy) and his followers would be progressing morally, spiritually, socially and cognitively (I Timothy 4: 13 – 15 (NIV). Apostle Paul therefore encourage Church leaders to put more effort in reading the scriptures so as to be upgraded.
Definition of Studying
Studying is persistent reading of messages or information until the level of understanding. Studying upon studying makes efforts to attach meaning to a message read by a person. In studying, review, critical looking and analysis are required. In any Bible study, review and analytical skills should be applied to attach meaning to reading and studying for attainment of the aims and objectives of the study.
Definition of Meditation
Meditation could mean persistent critical thinking of a philosopher till a point when a careful evaluation and judgement is made and pronounced.
Meditation is very essential for Christian leaders to practise because it increases the significance of mental, physical, and emotional benefits. It also reduces stress and anxiety, it improves focus and concentration, it’s enhancing emotional regulation, and promoting overall well-being. It can also lead to better sleep, it regulates blood pressure, and improved immune function, making it serves as a powerful tool for self-care and encourages more balanced life.
Meditation also Supresses Stress and Anxiety: Meditation provides a sense of calm and inner peace by helping one to cope with overwhelming thoughts and stress.
Boosts Focus and Concentration: It enhances your ability to concentrate, improves attention span, and helps one to stay focused on the present moment for personal spiritual growth and development
So, meditation has a lot of benefits in which one who practise it received and that is the reasons why Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy not to relent in reading, studying and meditation (I Timothy 4: 11 – 16).
These things I understand are some positive and effective behaviours to be exhibited so that the Church leaders growth would be accomplished. The behaviours are as follow:
A Church leader should create room for the Holy Spirit in his heart and allow the Spirit of God to abide in him. This is the most important beginning for a Church leader who wants to grow and grow others..
A Church leader who wants to grow should always ready to learn and know more – I Timothy 4: 13.
He who is a leader should always be upgrading himself to remain a leader and a growing leader to make subordinate leaders in the Church be emulating him for their growth.
He who is a leader should always be thinking of the quality of a good leader to emulate so as to grow the body of Christ spiritually..
A leader who is always thinking of the qualities of good leader would make it point of duty to strife and to have zeal for qualities of a good leader.
A leader who is anxious and willing to present himself as an approved leader should always be improved in demonstrating good qualities of leader in the presence of incoming and future Church leaders.
A leader that is demonstrating good qualities of leader is surely laying good foundation as a model for his followers on which one who may be subordinate leaders or future leaders among his followers would build upon.
All the above say a leader should be conversant with the scriptures, having cordial relationship with the Holy Bible, studying the scriptures regularly, meditation is extremely paramount and diggestion of one’s Bible studies and meditation is a leader’s effort to sow living seeds that would grow in both the Church’s Head leader and his associates. Diggestion here means preaching and teaching, doing all above without preaching and teaching is a total failure to self and to the whole Church members.
And by these doings, such leader is growing himself, he is also growing the associate leaders under him and he is preparing the kids as future generation leaders too. Therefore, he who have no time to neither read and study nor meditate on his reading and studying fails in growing himself spiritually and the subordinates Church leaders and other Church members would suffer of spiritual growth.
God had confronted you all today and He talked to you to go and grow yourself spiritually and make your associates and other leaders in the Church be growing, to make the Church members in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ be growing spiritually, physically, socially, cognitively and emotionally, even academically.
Christians’ Leaders prove Themselves the Core People of Books
Christians should always be remembering the label or title ” The People of Books” given to them which labelled them since ages due to one of the Christians’s heritage (attitudes) of research and findings of truths inherited from the Jews religion “Jewish”. As a matter of truth, the Jews are truly researchers of every issues and occurrences to confirm the reliability of such issues and occurrences and Christians being the immediate invented religion from Jewish. Many Christians’ leaders should wake up into their heritage of research of issues of contemporary age, studying and find out what says the scriptures about the issues and meditate on findings for effective implementation of the will of God for mankind. Reading, studying, meditation, learning, utilisation of research and findings, imparting of the acquired knowledge into the followers and demonstration enhance improvement to the growth of the Church leaders and such leader becomes a prestigious leader.
What are the Benefits in Leaders’ Growth? Or Why should a Christian Leader keep on Growing?
It makes the leadership easier.
It comforts and refreshes both the leaders and the followers
It plays vital role in the Church history and documentary.
It makes leaders relevant in Christendom
It has positive effects in the Church environment and the society at large
The Church leaders and their subordinates that are growing in all ramification are remarkable and rewardable by the Church, Church environment and the society at large.
Growing up of each Christian leader in each Church should includes growth and development in cognition.
Why should the Church leaders need to be cognitively skilled?
To Empower the Followers.
A leader serves as a resource and facilitator of followers’ empowerment. The followers are looking here and there for, and expecting a front man that could be giving them things they don’t have, hoping for a leader who would be at their front and be leading them on the pathways to their progress and success, this is needful so that they would not to go astray. The followers are often anticipated for a leader who would be innovationally leading them so as to enable the followers be fit and relevant in the midst of their colleagues of the contemporary age.
To be Distinct.
Each leader should be self-stand and self-esteem to enable him be extra-ordinary skilled in his office of leadership. This doesn’t mean that the leader should avoid helpers. Not that he should not listen to the counsel of others. But in the process of collection and collation of counsel, the application of addition and subtraction, division and multiplication of understanding, knowledge and wisdoms are possible. When it’s time to utilise the cognitive skills gained, it earns the user more respect, more honour and recognition. It is helpful to have more than one source of knowledge and information , Jews have their Holy Scripture called Septuagint which consists of Torah (i. e. The Book of Laws or Pentateuch), History, Prophecies of the Prophets and Poetry, all these are compiled by Jews and it is used by the Jews as their source of knowledge and information for their wisdom.
These Jews are very intelligent in all their doings because they are always searching and researching for more advancement in their endeavours. Apostle Paul as a Jew was well-equipped as a minister of Jesus Christ’s salvation because he was highly educated, Paul had wider experience due to his continuous anxious to understand better and know more, for his deeper studies and researches, he was able to understand very well knowledge of salvation and Jesus Christ the author of the salvation. Apostle Paul was always proud and prove all he knew to the extent that the King Agrippa identified and recognised him (Apostle Paul) as an Apostle of Christ’s gospel and a man of intelligence (Acts 26).
For Self and Followers’ Enrichment
The zeal, strife and anxious to be growing spiritually, socially, cognitively and and academically is extremely important in the leadership and administrative work of the Christians’ Churches. The is highly expected because whole Church members (both the leader and the followers) would be blessed, flourished and fuller or more meaningful of positive improvement and development cognitively, spiritually and materially.
How could a Christian Leader measures and evaluates his growth for the purpose of keeping on Growing?
Yardsticks for measuring Christian Leaders’ Growth.
Altar call:- this reveals how effective a Church Leader’s preaching and teaching.
Watching and Observations:- A Church leader who is always being Watchful and Observant to his followers attitudes and behaviours towards his teaching and preaching would understand how effective his Leadership. The Leaders’ Attentiveness towards followers’ grumbling and side talks is essential so that such leader would be aware of the area where he would adjust himself in his leadership.
Leaders’ Self- Evaluation and Examination:- constant self-evaluations and examinations are extremely important for spiritual growth, development and enrichment for the possibility of the edification of the Church.
Congregational Dialogue ( E. g. Church in Conference, Meet your Pastor, etc.):- this also helps the leaders to understand his followers, to aware what people think and view about him. Like Jesus Christ, He asked His disciples to open up of what crowds and the disciples were thinking and saying of Him (Matthew 16: 13 – 20). This made Jesus Christ to understand whom was he to the crowds and His disciples.
The Anti-leaders’-growth in the Christendom
Reproach – I Timothy 4: 12
Laziness
Unfaithfulness
Invariance, too rigid, inflexibility, etc.
Biblical Samuel’s Efforts to be Growing in the Lord
Christian leader cannot easily growing just like that, unless the below efforts are made by him and his household. To be brief, there five qualities (as found in the life of Samuel) that should be found in the life of a leader who wants to be growing up. The qualities are as follow:
Sacrifice of One’s Life as a Whole
Foundation and parental efforts on children as tomorrow leaders is exceedingly crucial in the process of growth and development. For example, Samuel’s Parents made the decision of making Samuel grow and develop spiritually, even before the birth of Samuel, they made up their minds to see that Samuel becomes an icon, Samuel’s Parents surrendered Him (Samuel) unto the Lord God as Apostle Paul suggested. Hannah (the mother of Samuel) strongly decided, desired, vowed and confessed to give back her first child (Samuel ) back to God (I Samuel 1: 9 – 10) and Hannah did not forget her promise, Hannah and her husband (Elikannah) agreed together on surrendering their very first son unto the Lord God forever (I Samuel 1: 22 – 23). When it was the time according to their agreement, Hannah and Elikannah fulfilled their promise of giving Samuel to God as a Holy (living) sacrifice (Romans 12: 1).
If a person would grow and develop even physically and spiritually, his parents have roles to play as followers:
Strong Decision and Confession:-
Readiness to Play Parental Roles:-
Covenant making and
Covenant fulfillment
As the parents of Samuel decided to make their child Samuel becomes great on earth, Samuel was surrendered to God by his household, he who is to be trained and grown as one of the leaders in a Church should firstly understand the cost for being a Church leader and he should make up is mind, totally surrender himself and his household should understand what it means for a person to surrender unto the Lord God. Then, the household should ready to support one who surrendered his life to serve God and people in the vineyard of the Lord (I Samuel 1: 24 – 28; 2: 19).
Self-readiness to be Grown is Required
After Samuel’s parents had made up their mind to surrender Samuel unto God as a holy living sacrifice, as you all known, the parents had played their role (of total surrendering) as the foundation (first step) and the beginning of Samuel’s spiritual growth. The next (second) step left to Samuel. And Samuel did well, he was a son of Humility. He prepared himself to be humble before God and his master and he did all he could, he demonstrated humility in the presence of Prophet Eli and God crowned his efforts. In his readiness to serve God, Samuel humbly surrendered himself to God, his ministry was supported by his family (parents) in supplying his needs even without making requests (I Samuel 2: 18; 3: 1).
Anticipation to Respond to the Master’s Calls
Despite the age of Samuel as a kid (exceedingly younger indeed), he played godly role with all respect and humility. His attitude and behaviour shows that he was always in anticipation to respond to any call of his master (Eli). In a moment his master called him, he responded. Samuel was always anxious to hear and listen to his master’s call and zealously give response without exhibition to his master’s order (I Samuel 3: 2 – 8).
Self-readiness to be taught and anticipation to listen, hear and respond are highly required from one who wants to grow socially, cognitively and spiritually, even academically, a leader should do all necessary things to upgrade himself to be updated.
Attentiveness and Total Obedience are Qualities of a Growing Church
Leader
Samuel was very instructive to his master and God. Eli saw Samuel as an obedient servant to him and God. Anytime Samuel was called by Eli, he quickly react to his master’s call with positive response(I Samuel 3: 9 – 10).
As Samuel was always extremely zealous in response to instructions and leading of his master and God, likewise one who wants to become a leader, he should always obediently be quick in listening, hearing, reasoning, meditating and respond to mentors’ and God’s instructions for spiritual, physical, social, cognitive development of the Church members (I Samuel 3: 11 – 15).
Faithfulness and Fearlessness are Qualities of a Growing Leader
Yes! It is unpleasant to hear bad news about a beloved. It is very bitter to hear about the destruction of the person who stands as the back-bone and the bread-winner one. It is extremely dreadful for a person to hear about the destruction of his father or mother, master or mentor and it is exceptionally bad and very dreadful to send a child to his parents with to go and deliver to the parents a message of destruction. This was what happened Samuel and Eli (his master). Samuel received his first message as a young prophet (very terrible and dreadful indeed), he known it was God that talked and he should deliver the message to his master. The message was unpleasant in delivery but Samuel was forced by his master to deliver it. He (Samuel) delivered all messages without addition and subtraction (I Samuel 3: 16 – 19).
This implies that a Church Leader who is willing to be growing should be faithful to his master and the Lord God and should not fear to deliver any message God to people through such church leader.
GROWING CHRISTIAN LEADERS PRODUCE MORE LEADERS
It’s the duty of each Christian leader to take self development and growth as an inevitable responsibility. who is always struggling in developing and growing himself for the tasks and responsibilities given to him by God should know and understand that personal growth and development alone as an achievement and could neither last nor give the future any benefit unless the growing leaders take it as a point of duty to nurture, to nurse and produce leaders for tomorrow. A Christian (Church) leader who wants to accomplish the aims and objectives of his being a leader and make his growth and development a reality should take note and fulfil these responsibilities as listed below:
Regular fervent self-leadership training which involves serious Bible reading and studyings and meditation should be a daily minded
Being presence in regular leaders’ fellowship leadership training
Participation in Convention and Conference leadership training and seminars
Partaking in Interdenominational leadership trainings and workshops
Such leader should make himself available as a role model
He should be organising regular Bible studies, seminars, workshops and other biblical trainings for the future leaders and Church members for the development and growth of individuals in the Church.
A growing leader who wants to grow other leaders for the future must ready to assign responsibilities and delegate power to the leaders under training.
The senior growing and developing leaders must always supervise and monitor the under training leaders.
There must be evacuation on the duty given to leaders under training and corrections must be done to amend when and where necessary.
Reinforcement and appraisals are required from the senior growing Christian leaders to the future leaders under training after their performances on each responsibilities.
Conclusion
It was after the efforts made by Elikannah, Hannah and Samuel their son as a household, Samuel’s star was gradually coming out, as Samuel prophecy, he became prestigious Minister (Prophet) of God to the Israelites, he began influencing the people of Israel and Samuel was famous in the land of Israel (I Samuel 3: 20).
As a saying, he who helps himself, God helps he. He who usually strife to be efficient in his leadership service is preparing for himself to be found on the higher ground. Samuel served his master faithfully with wholehearted, he was obedient to his master and God and he was rewarded. He was faithful to God and fearless before man, then, God made him a prominent Prophet of his time in Israel.
The Quantities of a Good Christian Leaders’ Recruiter
He must be a called one
He must be born again
He must be a baptized redeemed Christian
He must be a trained Christian leader
He must be a person of good reports in his home, in the Church and outside the Church
He must be godly cunning and crafty
He must be a man of humility
He must be a quiet and gentleman who is always be very careful, calm and giving enough time for thorough findings on every controversial issues
He must always be an observant person
He shouldn’t be a violent person but a peace maker
He must be a theological leaned with secular knowledge and experiences