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Character, Community and Leadership
By
David L Peterson IV
Fuller Theological Seminary
Master of Arts in Global Leadership
ML 582 Character, Community, and Leadership
Professor Wilmer Villacorta PhD
Spring 2010
Table of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..3
Part One: Personal Leadership
Descriptive: Humility; Submission & Obedience; Suffering/maturity…………………...3
Prescriptive: Humility; Submission & Obedience; Suffering/maturity…………………..5
Reflecting upon my transformation ………………………………………………………7
Part Two: Ministry
Descriptive: Humility; Submission & Obedience; Suffering/maturity…………………...7
Prescriptive: Humility; Submission & Obedience; Suffering/maturity…………………10
Reflecting upon the churches transformation……………………………………………12
References Cited…………………………………………………………………………14
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………..15
Permission ……………………………………………………………………………….16
How can I be a godly leader that my parishioners’ will follow?
I believe this happens by the Holy Spirit providing environments and relationships of grace.
This paper will describe my character development as well as the vision I have for my church members’ transformation.
I will propose a transformation model for both descriptions based on Thrall’s Ladder so that by the Spirit’s power my personal character and my parishioners’ character will be honoring the truth of gospel entrusted to us.
In February of 2010 I moved to the solitude of a 120 acre farm.
While there I experienced times of fasting, praying, and humbling myself before God.
I meditated upon the inspired Word of God (Willard 2002:221).
I am learning that the church is made up of all kinds of individuals that need a godly shepherd, one that leads them to Christ.
Part One: Personal Leadership
Descriptive:
One of the most humbling things that have happened to me was on September 11th 1992 when Hurricane Iniki, a category 5 hurricane, struck the Island of Kauai, with sustained winds of 169mph, for over 5 hours!
Eighteen years later what are my thoughts?
Words can not describe; however, thinking upon what God said to Job after all he had been through, gives me some understanding of God’s greatness!
Many homes were completely lost or damaged; therefore, I spent the next five years helping rebuild the island.
The rebuilding was both in infrastructure and moral.
At that time some teachers in the public school that did not have family on Kauai left; therefore, giving me the opportunity to work at Hanalei Elementary School.
Natural disasters have a way of humbling even the strongest of individuals.
I do not know why God allowed such a disaster; however, for those of us who found our strength in Christ we were able to find His strength for ourselves and share that strength with those around us.
Nearly two decades later it is the act of preaching that keeps me humble and submissive.
I have found that the quality and depth of the sermon is often a direct result of exegesis.
This does not mean that God will not use me if I have not spent time in study; however, most often He blesses me to be that blessing if I have done my work.
It takes obedience and discipline to preach.
In 2010 the Dos XX cohort was in Colorado Springs for our first MAGL residency.
While sitting in round table discussions we were asked, “What is faith?”
Some answers were given but the answer I liked best was accepting the facts to be true even when what is asked may not make since.
The Bible is full of stories like this for which many of the ancients have been commended.
Like me, some of these obedient ancients were least likely to be included in this hall of fame (Hebrews 11ff.).
I have found that God uses men and women who are obedient.
I have grown up to believe that “If it is meant to be then it is up to me.”
This kind of thinking has led me into times of depression.
Nouwen’s sermon that our cohort watched in Colorado was refreshing in this regard.
In it he says that life is more about being then doing.
That is being the beloved child of God.
I have an individualistic mentality towards life; especially, towards my faith in God, His mission in my life, and the life of His church.
This has caused suffering and has not allowed me, or His church to develop as God intends.
I do not feel that I am alone here.
Thrall writes about the great Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh going through a similar thing that almost ruined him before he submitted to God.
Gogh was intent on doing it his way instead of doing what his brother Theo and others were suggesting (Thrall 1999: 91).
To make matters worse not only have I been raised to be individualistic, my personal characteristics tend that way.
Someone said godliness is tested in solitude but developed in community.
I am learning that maturity is best developed in the context of others; especially, those who are wise.
Walking, and growing with the wise is not an easy process, it takes humility, submission, and obedience.
Now what do I intend to do about this?
I will present myself to God as one “approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Prescriptive:
At this stage in my humble journey God is calling me to live a celibate life; therefore, I must be intentional about being formed in community.
Like fasting, living a celibate life has a way of focusing my attention on Christ and his mission.
Along with being called to celibacy is a life of poverty.
I will remain willing and active to pursue carpentry so that I may continue to preach the gospel with or without pay (Proverbs 23:23).
Preaching and teaching is my main objective; however, working with my hands has its advantages such as: good health, being in community, and “winning the respect of outsiders” (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12).
Submission to celibacy and poverty is not easy.
For example drinking alcohol sometimes causes me to have poor discernment; therefore, I will not drink alone or with someone else that might temp me in an immoral way.
In regards to poverty, I will trust God with my finances.
I believe that He gives me neither poverty nor riches but only my daily bread.
Regarding work, I will have a good ethic.
I will focus more so on doing a job well then what I can get out of the job.
At the end of the day I want to hear, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
My allegiance is to Christ, not to the paycheck.
Obedience and submission are a lot alike.
I make it my objective to place myself and my teaching under the authority of Scripture.
The Bible is the standard by which I live and find direction both in my own personal life and in the life of my parishioners.
Scripture does not demand everyone to live in celibacy and poverty but it does suggest that it is the better way.
These are “foundational rules” that lead to a life that is wholly devoted to Christ and His kingdom (Farrington 2000:23).
Self righteousness is not my goal; rather, living in such a way that I can have “right relationships” (Johnson 2002: 53).
God’s Spirit and these accountability structures help me live this way.
Furthermore, I will have morning devotions that include prayer and Scripture reading.
I arrange my schedule so I can get up at four in the morning for devotions, and eat breakfast at seven.
Then at three in the afternoon I will seek God in prayer, and reflection with the local Christian community.
Also I will have periodic times of fasting; especially, before a major decision.
Earlier, I mentioned about walking with the wise; therefore, I have certain individuals that know me well.
There are those whom I will mentor and those who will mentor me.
I will do this through environments and relationships of grace so that I am a leader that my parishioners will follow.
Living a life of celibacy, poverty, and obedience may not be attractive.
However, doing so has a way of cultivating the heart.
Dallas Willard talks about this inward cultivation and ministry resulting from that.
Thrall, helps me picture it in the context of personal environments and relationships.
Reflecting upon my transformation:
This lifestyle helps me minister with the less fortunate.
Ironically, I find my strength in ministering to those who physically can give me nothing.
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