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| 10 Leadership Skills [Book of Nehemiah] |
Last
week, we looked at the first 5 leadership skills using Nehemiah as a model. We saw
how Nehemiah was delving into his project with faith in God, compassion, and a
huge goal in mind. As a refresher, the first 5 leadership skills were:
1.
Make your voice and presence known to those who count.
2.
Spend time planning your project(s).
3.
Stand up for what is right.
4.
Set clear expectations for performance.
5.
Surround yourself with the best talent possible.
To
read, Leadership Part 1: Nehemiah, click here http://bit.ly/1H4DwDe
Leadership Skills
6.
Be humble and acknowledge that God is your strength.
The book of Nehemiah and the book of Ezra are thought to have originally been one
book. It is obvious that Ezra, the priest and scribe, and Nehemiah were
colleagues. After the completion of the wall, the people needed some
reconstruction of their own. We find Ezra and other Israelites gathering by the
Water Gate worshiping, reading the Law, teaching the people to acknowledge the
Lord, and encouraging them to study and understand the words of divine
instruction. Then, on this HOLY DAY, we see Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites
rejoicing. If you are in a ministry role, after a big project (like Vacation
Bible School), the workers need to regroup and be encouraged again to stay
working for the Lord and seeking again to please Him as they move forward. If in the ministry, do
you encourage your employees (or volunteers) to humbly worship, read the Bible,
encourage them to study God’s Word, and reiterate that God is their strength? If
in a job situation, when a remarkable job is completed, do you just let their
“high” accomplishments go or do you praise them and encourage them to continue on
with their good work? The letdown after a big project can loom for a long time,
but as leaders, we can prevent that with a little time spent afterwards looking
forward to the next project, the next ministry, or next learning opportunity.
“And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God,
and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they
bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. . . And
Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites
who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do
not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine
and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our
Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your
strength.’ So the Levites calmed all the people,
saying, ‘Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send
portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words
that were declared to them.”
Nehemiah
8: 6, 9-12
7.
Correct and admonish when needed.
The
time will come when someone who works for you needs correction and
admonishment. It is a tough and sensitive issue that leaders face. Nehemiah was
able to lessen the load by pre-handling this by giving his men an example from
the past explaining what Moses said to the people who rebelled and were
disobedient. What better way than to pre-warn people of consequences that might
come when correction, admonishment or even firing needs to occur by talking about it beforehand. How wise.
“But as soon as they were at rest, they again
did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their
enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you
heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. You
warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant
and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you
said, ‘The person who obeys them will live by them.’ Stubbornly they turned
their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen.”
Nehemiah
9:28-29
8.
Obey the company or ministry policies.
Companies,
churches, organizations, and families have policies and/or rules of ethics.
They are there to be abided by unless, of course, they are against God’s laws;
in that case, decisions and prayful considerations need to be made on a course
of action. If your ministry (individual or group) does not have policies, it
may be time to develop them. Many ministries have or are developing boards or
foundations to oversee their own activities to be sure they are operating
under an authoritative source. In Nehemiah 10, the purpose was to join and bind
the people together with an oath to follow God’s laws, commands, regulations,
and decrees. Regulations and codes of behavior are very important in both
corporate offices, ministries, and even within homes, especially where children
are growing up under the instructions of their parents.
“The rest of the people—priests,
Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated
themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together
with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— all
these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a
curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of
God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.
Nehemiah 10:28, 31
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| Glorious Wall at Brookwood Café, Brookshire, Texas |
9. Celebrate the achievements of others.
Nehemiah celebrated the dedication of the wall with gladness. In both businesses and churches, we see achievement awards, 10-year anniversary recognitions, and “Good Job” certificates. All these play an important place among those who have worked alongside of you to achieve the goals the Lord has given you. You may not even be aware that those who are working for you are inwardly proud of their own personal accomplishments through “your” project. If you close a deal at work, how about a party to acknowledge the good and steadfast work of your employees? How about throwing a dinner to thank those who volunteer their time and effort in the ministry? And, what’s wrong with some ice-cream for good grades?
“At the dedication of the wall of
Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought
to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving
and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.”
Nehemiah
12:27
10.
Define roles and responsibilities AGAIN.
And
finally, in Nehemiah 13, we see that Nehemiah had left Jerusalem during the
32rd year of King Artaxerxes. But, when he returned, he found the house of God
in disarray. Widespread shenanigans were going on in his absence. Upon arrival
in Jerusalem, Nehemiah proceeded to command that the chambers be cleaned. He
contended with the officials and asked them why the house of the Lord had been
neglected and forsaken. He reproved the nobles and warned them. He cleansed
them from everything heathen and he started all over again with defining roles
and responsibilities [Nehemiah 7:65] In ministry and work, redefining roles and
responsibilities, is not a one-time thing. It must be continually taught. Just
as in our lives, we must continually be in the Word of God and hear God’s expectations continually. It isn’t just going to church on Sundays. It isn’t
just going to a conference. It isn’t praying only in our time of need. Our
bosses or ministers will not always be around to instruct us as was the case
with Nehemiah. When he wasn’t there, the people turned into ungodly activities.
We, as individuals, must remember that is our duty to continually be in contact
with the Lord. We can’t live in someone else’s shadow. And, as a leader, we
need to constantly remind those working alongside of us to be responsible and
obedient with or without "the leader or boss" around. This chapter reminds me of the idiom,
“When the cat’s away, the mice will play.” Let’s be responsible ourselves and
teach those who are under our leadership to always act like the CAT’s around!
“But while all this was going on, I was
not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I
had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing
Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.”
Nehemiah
13:6-7
In
conclusion, let’s celebrate Nehemiah’s contributions. His administrative skills
were outstanding. He completed the work God assigned to Him. He faced obstacles
honorably. He acknowledged his strength came from the Lord. If only he were
here, I’d throw him a party of grain, legumes, and domesticated beasts to
celebrate the legacy he left behind to the family of God!!!
Bible
Verses:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the
fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
1
Thessalonians 5:14
And bring the fattened calf and kill
it, and let us eat and celebrate.
Luke 15:23
Prayer:
Oh mighty God, thank you for the leadership roles you have placed me in. Let me be an example to others through your strength. Give me wisdom and humility so I can lead as you want me to. Let me rejoice at the achievements of others. In YOU alone I trust.
God bless you.
Patti Greene
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And don’t forget COMMENTS are always welcome!
And don’t forget COMMENTS are always welcome!
Books by Patti Londa Greene
Awaken Me: a devotional prayer journal
God, It’s Me: 181 Days for Young Adults to Become Passionate about Prayer and Bible Study
“Nehemiah:
Who wrote the book?” The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. [21
June 2015.]
Stedman,
Ray. “Nehemiah: Rebuilding the walls.” Authentic Christianity. [June 21, 2015.]
Wallace, Wanda T. and David Creelman. Leading people when they know more than you do. Harvard Business Review. 16 June 2015. Web.
