 Gina S. Brown, Ph.D. Loma Linda University North American Division

 Characteristics and traits of good Christian Leaders  Practical information on how to be a better leader

 Assessment  Planning  Implementation  Evaluation

The Church and it’s relationship to the Body

 What is an autoimmune disease?  Immune Response  Hypersensitivity Reaction  A reaction to “normal” body tissues

 Symptoms of “Sick” leadership o Fatigue o Fever o General ill-feeling (malaise)

 A description of an Autoimmune Church: o Antigens = Competitive o Bacteria = Entitled o Viruses = Fear o Toxins = Confusion o Cancer Cells= Shortcuts

 Autoimmune disorders may result in:  The destruction of one or more types of body tissue o Leadership ideas that are not “traditional” o Thinking that is “outside of the cubicle”

 Abnormal “GROWTH” of an organ o Church Services that are not held at 11am and do not fit the normal profile of the SDA Church …. o Leadership styles that are fresh and exciting, and still follow the 28 fundamental beliefs….

 Lack of Servant Attitude o The first shall be last… o The lowest seat… o Servant Leadership o Relationships (lack of) o The Golden Rule

 Reduce symptoms  Control the autoimmune process  Maintain the body’s ability to fight disease

 Why Unity in Leadership? o To promote Kingdom Building o To present a United Front o To fight against those who oppose the Kingdom

 What principles and factors makes a good leader?  Leadership 999  A “God” Leader  W “H”olistic Care

 God’s calling of a leader matches His empowerment. This means that leaders must be fully equip, (Academically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, etc.) to stand before His people.

 In order to garner appropriate unity; Leaders must expect criticism and sometimes must confront.  Leaders must not only endure change, but must create change.  Effective leaders identity with the sins and failures of their people.

 Leaders can be compared to both watchmen and shepherds.  Great leaders never lose their ability to empathize.  Successful leaders find memorable and creative ways to communicate truth.

 Vitamins  Blood Transfusions  Supplements  Injections  “H” = The Holy Spirit

 Leaders must cling to their God given vision even when the people stray.  Leaders must spend constant time and attention in communion with God to find out what the vision should be.

 Poor Leadership Undermines Unity  Bad leaders do exist in the church, how do we address this?  Move, Remove, Adjust, Change, Treat

 Teachability: to keep leading, keep learning.  Righteous leaders with integrity can remain optimistic.  Responsibility: Like it or not, the buck stops with the leaders.  Responsibility is foundational for true unity within the sphere of leadership.

 Speaking hard truth without compromise. Jeremiah 8:1-13  Attitude: leaders don’t get lost in the problems. Jeremiah 12:1-4  What happens to leaders who mislead and damage others? Jeremiah 14:14-16

Solutions for the Church Leader

 Problems  Temptations

 The law of connection: leaders must achieve reception, not rebellion

 “There is no known prevention for most autoimmune disorders”. But …….The Blood of Jesus …..

 With what shall I come before the L ORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  Will the L ORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the L ORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:6-8

 The Holy Bible  Davis, Hellen. (2004). The 21 Laws of Influence. Indaba Press.  Covey, Stephen. (2004). The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Free Press.  Maxwell, John. (2002). Leadership 101. Thomas Nelson Publishers  Maxwell, John. (2007). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You. Thomas Nelson Publishers  Herbold, Robert. (2004). The Fiefdom Syndrome. The Turf Battles that Undermine Careers and Companies and How to Overcome Them. Currency Books.  Medline Plus.  Medline.