FollowtheLeader.indd

LEADERS ARE PERFECTIONISTS

Principle:

“It is far better to aim at perfection and miss the mark;

than aim at nothing and hit the bull’s eye!”

Perfection of character was the passion of Paul’s life – not a perfection of
performance. His desire was to be personally more and more conformed to
the image of Christ every day. Spiritual maturity, or Christ-like character
and conduct, were also the passion of Paul’s mentoring ministry. In fact,
Paul said that it was the job description of every Christian leader worth
his salt. He was to do everything possible to bring new Christians to
spiritual maturity. Listen to these words:

“It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be

prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors

and teachers, to prepare/equip God’s people for works of

service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we

all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the

Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole

measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 3:11-13).

He wrote almost identical words to the churches of Colossia:

“We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone

with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in

Christ. To this end we labor, struggling with all His energy

which so powerfully works in me” (Col. 2:28-29).

The Apostle Paul had a passion for perfection! He not only pushed himself
toward the spiritual perfection of maturity in Christ; he did everything
possible to take others with him on that same journey toward Christ-
likeness. This was the passion and purpose of Paul’s life and ministry. It
should also be the model for other serious spiritual leaders to follow.

For the Christian leader, this need and drive to do things well is not
something that is super-spiritual...vague...idealistic...ethereal...or nebulous.
It is highly practical. This passion for excellence, this pursuit of perfection, this
motivation toward maturity is expressed in the mundane...ordinary...
everyday things of life and leadership. It generally causes a leader to do
things like keeping his study and work area neat and orderly. Admittedly,