In many years of interacting and sharing with church leaders of various affiliations, one reoccurring decimal I’ve always come across is the issue of wrong handling of gifted and anointed under – leaders. The issue of insecurity and inferiority complex have contributed greatly to this crisis. Young, dynamic, gifted, anointed, educated but inexperienced and sometimes, irresponsible people have been lost due to insecurity by top church leaders.
Denominations, ministries and church leaders have continued to losing top church leaders have continued to losing top quality people simply because the handled them in the wrong way. Churches and ministries that could have made major impact are still struggling simply because of this problem. It’s time we examine this issue much more critically and dispassionately for the benefit of all.
A. THE NUMBER ONE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP Matt. 4: 19; II Tim. 2: 1-2
When God calls a leader, he usually places gifted and anointed people under him. Leaders are meant to be brokers of gifts, talents and graces of people. Leaders are to encourage the weak, strengthen the feeble, empower the young and enable the strong to blossom.
- Under a Potipher, you have a Joseph.
- Under a Moses, you have wise Bezalel and Joshua.
- Under Joshua, you have a Caleb.
- Under an Eli, you have a visionary Samuel.
- Under an Elijah, you have an Elisha
- Under a Saul, you have a dynamic David
- Under a David, you have Joab, Solomon and mighty men
- Under a Nebuchadnezzar, you have a Daniel, Meshack and Abednego
- Under a John the Baptist, you have a Jesus
- Under Jesus, you have a Petulant Peter.
- Under the Apostles, you have a Paul
- Under a Paul, you have Timothy, Titus and Demas.
It is a divine role that under a leader, there are greater and more anointed leaders. God, who is no respecter of persons, usually blesses leaders with people of outstanding wisdom, gifts, talents, age, class, experience and anointing. They are not meant to make the work easier. Unfortunately, many leaders have not been very comfortable with this divine order and they have literally driven awa those who could have made their work better.
B. HOE LEADERS HAVE HANDLED GIFETD PEOPLE I Samuel 18: 5-9, 10-11.
‘It is he that is no longer growing that is afraid of the growth of others’. Sadly, that is the reality of the life and ministry that nobody will be more gifted or rise above them in their church or ministry. Across denominations, church leaders have handled gifted and anointed people just as king Saul handled young and popular David:
- Suspicion and secret fear
- Veiled jealous and env
- Attempt to muffle and keep him quiet
- Public rebuke, castigation and dress down on flimsy excuses
- Accusation of pride, ego and boasting
- Hearing from one side and passing judgement.
- Discipline and suspension for breaking unknown rules of the church.
- Refusal to recognize his gifts, ministry and talents
- Transfer to far and unknown places
- Plotting and planning to eliminate and discredit him
- Using every excuse to nail him or send him away.
- Placing a ban on others just to get at the gifted people.
Unfortunately, these are true and real ways leaders and churches have wrongly handled gifted and anointed people today. And churches have become dwarfs as a result. Since they are wrongly handled, gifted people have left and since giants have left, we are left with dwarfs. When you continually lose your most gifted, anointed and capable people, then your ministry will remain as a dwarf. yes, some leaders are happy with that, but you need to know that it is limitation of the biggest order!
Recommended Reading
Secular And Spiritual Leadership In Ministry
Top Ten Lessons from the Life of Jephthah
Christian Journey:Purpose Of Trials
C. HOW TO HANDLE GIFTED AND ANOINTED PEOPLE John 3: 23- 30, I Sameul 26: 19-25
Your church or ministry cannot rise above all limits without the ability to handle your gifted and anointed people well. Churches and leaders that rise above all limitations are those that have learnt how to maximise the gifts and graces of their people. In fact, the pray for more anointed and gifted people to help them make major impact in life and across the world. The more gifted and anointed people you have, the more profound and widespread will be your impact in the world. As a John the Baptist, you must know how to behave when your Jesus comes to the front.
- Recognising that God will send gifted and anointed people to you.
- Be secure in God and in your calling – you are secure in him
- Don’t remain stagnant in your leadership – grow, improve and hone your skills
- Teach your heart to be free from petty jealousy and envy
- Be broadminded, flexible, accommodating and personable – be a father and mentor indeed to them
- Seek to contribute, equip, empower and enable your people
- Seek personal approach and relationship with your gifted people – don’t let people push you against them
- Give them room to perform and shine without hinderance
- Pray and intercede for them and sincerely wish them well – don’t ever curse
- Even if they have to go, release them joyfully and celebrate them – they are the extension arm of your ministry, wherever they go, no matter the name.
Your gifted people today are the future of your life and ministry. They are the ones that would take care of you tomorrow. If you have the habit of trampling upon the head of your gifted people, then you are writing the letter of suffering because they have mishandled and oppressed those who could have taken care of them in old age in ministry.
Dear leader, wisen up and grow into maturity in the way you handle those gifted and anointed people that God directs under your church and leadership.