The Seven Laws of Leadership Selection

“Now it came to pass in those days that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”
Luke 6:12-13

Jesus selected apostolic leaders from among his new-found disciples. Finding leaders is the greatest challenge leaders face. Yet, some leaders attract more leaders and others struggle to find or keep any leaders. Why? Certainly part of the answer lies in the gift of a leader, but there are also certain truths we can practice that will make us attractive to the emerging leaders in our sphere of influence.

The most gifted leaders I know practice these seven laws of leadership selection ...

“Now it came to pass in those days that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”
Luke 6:12-13

Jesus selected apostolic leaders from among his new-found disciples. Finding leaders is the greatest challenge leaders face. Yet, some leaders attract more leaders and others struggle to find or keep any leaders. Why? Certainly part of the answer lies in the gift of a leader, but there are also certain truths we can practice that will make us attractive to the emerging leaders in our sphere of influence.

The most gifted leaders I know practice these seven laws of leadership selection:

• The law of harvest based leadership training. The most fruitful leaders find their future leaders in the harvest fields not in the seminary/theological classrooms. This “law” challenges us not to “recruit” future leaders from other places, but to disciple them ourselves.
• The law of discerning prayer. How do we know who to select for further training and responsibility? Jesus spent a night in prayer before he chose apostolic leaders from among his disciples for further training.
• The law of selection. It says in verse 13 of chapter six, “…Jesus called his disciples to come to him, and from them he chose 12 to be apostles.” He was selecting them, not to positions of authority, but to lifestyles of sacrifice. He was inviting them to share in his mission. He believed in them and let them know he believed in them. Jesus selected the men the Father gave to him. Jesus knew that he was to appoint those who the Father had anointed. God anoints and we appoint. We recognize what God has called people to do. Our appointment is not giving people permission to lead, it is recognizing who God has gives commission to lead. Wise leaders watch whom God taps for leadership, then selects those people for more time and training.
• The law of inspiration. Potential leaders naturally are attracted to vision and opportunity. They love an atmosphere of faith and a big vision. They are like moths attracted to the light. Wise leaders use inspiration and challenge to inspire their leaders, not condemnation and control.
• The MAWL law – the law of modeling, assisting, watching and leaving – MAWL. Jesus modeled, assisted, watched and left – he turned over the advancement of his kingdom into their hands – at great risk.
• The law of investment. Jesus spent the majority of his time with the twelve not the twelve thousand. Jesus focused on three things in training the twelve:
  • Their character. He taught them to serve. He taught them humility. He taught them faithfulness. He taught them to be available to whatever he needed them to do.
  • Their skills. He modeled how to discern, how to disciple, how to select leaders, how to build a team, how to handle crowds, how to withdraw from the urgent to do the important, how to solve problems and make decisions.
  • Their understanding. He taught them the kingdom. He taught them wisdom for their hearts, which served them far better than huge amounts of knowledge for their heads. Immediately after he selected the twelve for further training and responsibility, he taught them the beatitudes. Jesus understood that one has not “learned” something one does not apply to one’s heart and obey’s with one’s hand.
• The law of trust. Jesus entrusted his entire plan, the enterprise of the kingdom, into the hands of men who betrayed him, doubted him, and deserted him. He believed in them. He gave them opportunity to succeed or fail. Of course, he did not leave them alone. He gave them his ongoing presence in the person of the Holy Spirit, but still, the risk was great. Apostolic leaders rise to great challenges and great trust! They eventually rebel against control and mistrust. Something in them will not allow them to obey God and simultaneously submit to controlling leaders.

Floyd McClung

//www.floydandsally.org/

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