“According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness” (Ro.12:6-8).
The gift of leadership is given by God for the purpose of leading in the local church to direct the members of the body of Christ in fulfilling the purpose of the church. It is the ability to hear God’s vision, based on the truths of His Word, and lead people to work together to accomplish God’s plan.
“And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next, miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages” (1 Cor 12:28) .
The gift of administration is given by God for the purpose of managing the entities of the church in accomplishing the plan of God. It is the ability to organize and implement the plans given to God by the leader.
Each of has, by the very fact that we are believers, the calling and the capacity to lead. Some are gifted in leadership and so that gift is obvious to all. Consider the fact that we are all called to serve, yet some have the gift of service. Many of us are called to teach, but some of us are especially gifted in teaching. We are all called to be encouragers, yet some are have the gift of exhortation.
Whether we are gifted in the gift of leadership or not, we are all called to lead. The question is, how will we lead?
(Excerpts from Women Leading Women, chapter four, B&H Academic, Martin & Stovall.)
