Exeter Seventh-day Adventist Church

Effective leaders delegate and show appreciation for the work of others. It's in the Bible, Exodus 39:43, NIV. "Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them."

Effective leaders recognize their limitations. It's in the Bible, Deuteronomy 1:9, TLB. "At that time I told the people, 'I need help! You are a great burden for me to carry all by myself."

True leaders are servants. It's in the Bible, Luke 22:25, NIV. "Jesus said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.'"

Leaders should be an example of hard work. It's in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:10, NIV. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

Treat those under your leadership like you would want to be treated. It's in the Bible, Luke 6:31, NIV. "Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Being a leader isn't always easy, but don't give up. It's in the Bible, II Chronicles 15:7, NIV. "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

A good leader listens to God's directions. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 30:21, NIV. "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

What should a leader of God's church be like? It's in the Bible, I Timothy 3:1-7, NIV. "Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to much wine, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap."

There is help for the leader who feels inadequate. It's in the Bible, James 1:5, NIV. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Good leaders plan ahead. It's in the Bible, Luke 14:28-30, NIV. "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'"

A good leader seeks counsel from others. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 15:22, NIV. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

A good leader must exercise patience. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 16:32, NIV. "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.