FollowtheLeader.indd

LEADERS ARE PREDICTABLE

to grow in the leader’s life. His witness is more winsome, service

more steady, and testimony more powerful.^4

Sanders then poignantly concludes:

The filling of the Spirit is essential for spiritual leadership. And

each of us is as full of the Spirit as we really want to be.^5

Principle: “Each of us is as full of the Spirit as we

really want to be.” (Oswald Sanders)

Regardless of the level of his life in the Spirit, every leader from time
to time faces circumstances beyond his control. These unforeseen events
interrupt his schedule...alter his plans...modify his timetable...change
his itinerary...redirect his focus. However, these unforeseen changes
should be the exception - not the norm, for his pattern of leadership.
Predictability should be his pattern of leadership – not a constant change
of priority, emphasis, and direction.

Like all good leaders, the Apostle Paul sometimes had to change his
schedule. Things outside of his control altered his plans. When this
happened, he did all he could to explain the change. He knew that without
a clear explanation, his followers would become confused...disoriented
...frustrated...disappointed...disillusioned with his leadership. This
perceived instability on the part of Paul would also give ammunition to
his enemies to undermine the credibility and integrity of his Apostolic
leadership. More than that, Paul also knew that some young Christians
would project upon God the instability and unfaithfulness they thought
they saw in him. When he had to change his plans to visit the Christians
at Corinth, he took pains to write and explain the change to them:

“I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to

come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you

send me on my way to Judea. When I planned this, did

I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner

so that in the same breath I say, ‘ Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no?’ But

as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘ Yes’

and ‘No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Who was

preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was

not ‘ Yes’ and ‘No,’ but in Him it has always been ‘Yes.’ For