Aids To Leadership

by Dag Heward-Mills

* * * * *

Copyright 2002 Dag Heward-Mills

Published by Dag Heward-Mills on Smashwords.

E mail Dag Heward-Mills

info@daghewardmillsbooks.org

evangelist@daghewardmills.org

Find out more about Dag Heward-Mills at:

http://www.daghewardmills.org

http://www.daghewardmills.org/healingjesuscrusade/

http://www.daghewardmills.org/lci/

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible

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Contents

Chapter 1 – What Have You Survived?

Chapter 2 – Acknowledge The Gifts Of Others

Chapter 3 – Be A Creative Leader

Chapter 4 – Respect Principles and You Will Build a Great Organisation

Chapter 5 – Don’t Think of How Much Money You Can Get from the People You Lead. Think of How Much You Can Help Them

Chapter 6 – Grow In Your Influence

Chapter 7 – Develop Personal and Dark Sayings

Chapter 8 - Negotiate with Authorities on Behalf of Your Followers

Chapter 9 - Convince People to Make Great Sacrifices

Chapter 10 – Take Everyone to the top with you

Chapter 11 – Build Something if You Are a Leader

Chapter 12 - Be Constantly Aware of Your Life’s Vision

Chapter 1

What have you survived?

All leaders can be sure of having some level of disloyalty within the ranks of their followers. Jesus’ ministry survived the betrayal by Judas. Betrayal is part of life. No matter who you are or what type of leadership you have, you will experience betrayal. But you must be a survivor!

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23:1-6

King David spoke of surviving the valley of the shadow of death. Survival is a central theme of the ministry. All true ministers must have a survival mentality. God did not promise us an easy road when we chose to serve Him. God expects us to survive after the attacks are over.

…and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13

If you cannot survive, you cannot be a leader because leadership involves surviving.

Ten Things Every Survivor Must Do

1. A survivor must continue to exist or function in spite of adverse conditions.

We are in a battle with a real enemy. The conditions are not good. Satan is the god of this world and in a sense we are on his turf.

2. Every survivor must come through.

Every survivor must come through and pull through. After I had preached in one church, the pastor told me, “It seems you have been through hell.” Certainly, I have been through a lot, but I am still around.

3. Every survivor must carry on and carry through.

4. Every survivor must continue.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; John 8:31

5. Every survivor must remain alive after the challenges of life.

6. Every survivor must last.

Paul was a leader who lasted.

7. Every survivor must outlive the storms.

When the storm is over you must still be around.

8. Every survivor must recover and revive.

9. Every survivor must live to fight again.

10. Every survivor must continue to live or exist in spite of danger.

Fifteen Things Paul Survived

1. Paul survived frequent imprisonments.

2. Paul survived five beatings from the Jews.

3. Paul survived three beatings with rods.

4. Paul survived stoning.

5. Paul survived three shipwrecks.

6. Paul survived forty-eight hours in the deep sea.

7. Paul survived several journeys.

8. Paul survived dangers from robbers.

9. Paul survived dangers in the city.

10. Paul survived dangers from his own countrymen.

11. Paul survived dangers in the wilderness.

12. Paul survived dangers from disloyal people.

13. Paul survived extreme exhaustion.

14. Paul survived a lot of pain.

15. Paul survived the cold and nakedness.

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Six Things Every Leader Must Survive

1. Survive persecution.

I have been strongly persecuted for my beliefs. I have been persecuted for starting a church. I have been ridiculed for starting a ministerial association. In 1988 and 1989, two different people called me “Jim Jones”! One of them was my classmate, a fellow medical student. The other person who called me Jim Jones was a professor in the medical school and a family friend. By the grace of God I have survived these persecutions. I needed a church hall for my wedding, but this professor told my parents that he would only help if I promised to close down my church.

He was so convinced that I was another “Jim Jones.” Who was Jim Jones? He was a cult leader who led thousands of people to their deaths. I was portrayed as a cult leader and a lunatic. Those were difficult moments, but I came through. I have survived these hateful persecutions and I am still around by the grace of God. Don’t be discouraged because of your persecutions. A leader is supposed to be a survivor.

2. Survive rejection.

I have survived rejection as a minister of the Gospel. When I was getting married, there was no external minister I could trust to officiate my wedding. My associate pastor had to officiate my wedding. I invited all the pastors in the city but no one turned up. These ministers were not interested in my wedding. When it was time to take pictures with all pastors, none were present. The MC called for all pastors but no one came forward.

I was completely rejected. But I have survived, and many of the people who rejected me then, show respect to me today. Do not allow rejection to kill your vision for leadership. Leadership includes surviving everything that is thrown at you.

3. Survive bad stories.

A leader is someone who survives bad stories. When Jesus rose from the dead some people spread a rumour about His disciples. They claimed that the disciples were grave looters and had stolen the body of Jesus. In other words, their claim was that He did not really rise from the dead, but the Gospel has survived this story.

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Matthew 28:12-15

Before Peter could begin his ministry, many people saw him as a liar and a thief. Others saw him as the greatest deceiver to live in Jerusalem for centuries. However, he was a genuine minister of the Gospel, proclaiming only what he had seen and heard.

This is the lot of all true leaders or ministers of the Gospel. You will have to survive the unbelievable stories that go on around you. I have heard people say amazing things about me.

Once, somebody said we were printing money in our church. Someone even accused us of dealing in drugs. How do we explain all these stories?

Government officials sometimes describe church leaders as charlatans who rip and rape the people. This is the impression that many people have of us. What can we do about it? We can only survive! To survive means to outlive and outlast every storm. A leader is a survivor.

To survive, you need determination and a whole lot of faith. You need to believe in yourself and you need to believe that what you are doing is the right thing. You need to believe that God will help you.

4. Survive every crisis.

A leader survives every crisis. You’ve got to hold on in the midst of your crisis. I know we all want peace and perfect harmony. That is the way it should be, but life has its twists and turns.

You have to survive. You need self-confidence and self-determination. You can do it! If you believe, you can conquer it all! A leader needs friends and family in times of crisis. I have found that God is your best friend in such times.

Jesus was a survivor. He was met with stiff rejection and hatred. People wanted him killed from day one, but he survived. When Jesus announced that He was anointed and had a healing ministry, many people rejected him outright.

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

Luke 4:17-19,28-30

Jesus survived! I see you surviving! Your children will survive! Your family will survive! Jesus survived and so will you! A leader cannot please everyone; he has to do what God has told him to do!

5. Survive envy, jealousy, disloyalty and betrayal. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Numbers 12:3

As you go higher in ministry, you will attract lots of envy and jealousy. Most of that will come from your own brothers and sisters.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Genesis 37:3,4

Joseph obtained favour and was given a coat of many colours. Soon, he attracted the hatred of his own brothers. A leader must survive the envy and jealousies of his brothers.

The people who have said some of the nastiest things about me, are ministers of the Gospel in my own city. Things have a way of getting round to you. One minister told me, “If you knew what one pastor said about you, you would never ever go to his church again.”

A leader lives through petty jealousies and hatred. Joseph survived the test of slavery. He survived going to prison. He survived the lies and bad stories of Potiphar’s wife. A leader is a survivor! Joseph’s ability to lead Egypt in a time of crisis was partly because of his ability to survive the envy and jealousy of everyone around him.

Sometimes, people want you to apologize for being blessed. How can I apologize for the blessing of God upon my life? Many of the things I have today, I did not even ask for. They just came my way.

Are you a leader? Do not be intimidated by the hatred of those around you. David’s first problem began when he killed Goliath. The Bible says that Saul eyed David after that victory.

And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

1 Samuel 18:7-9

Are you a leader? Get ready for envy, jealousy and betrayal as you rise to prominence. To survive all these, you need determination and a great deal of faith.

Jesus’ ministry survived the betrayal by Judas. Betrayal is part of life. No matter who you are or what type of leadership you have, you will experience betrayal.

If Judas is anything to go by, then one out of twelve people may be disloyal. I recently heard of a church that voted for a new pastor. This new pastor received ninety-one per cent of the votes. What did that mean? It meant that nine per cent of the people did not really want the new pastor. This poor pastor will not even know who voted against him. However, he can be sure that the disapproving group will be within the congregation.

All leaders can be sure of having some level of disloyalty within the ranks of their followers. Keep disloyalty to a minimum and survive the rebellion that comes against your leadership. Do not cry about it. Do not moan about it. That is leadership. Jesus was betrayed. And Paul was betrayed. How can it be that you will not experience the same?

I have had friends who were very close to me, turn around against me. People I ate with, slept with and played with, turned against me in bitter hatred.

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 41:9

At one point, I thought I would not survive the betrayal. The betrayal of one friend cut me like a knife through the heart. I became ill for two weeks as I endured the lies and slander of an old friend.

But I survived! A leader is a survivor! A leader is not someone who has had things rosy. Be determined, dear friend, to be a survivor. You will live through whatever storm you are experiencing!

6. Survive pressure.

Real leaders often come under extreme and varied pressures because they are out there in the front. They are the ones who receive all the blows. The pressure is always on them. If you cannot stand pressure, then you cannot be a leader.

Develop a hard forehead. Do not go mad. Do not go crazy. Some people break down under pressure. God told Ezekiel not to be afraid of the people’s faces. Be harder than everything that comes against you.

Confess boldly, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Say aloud, “I am able, more than able to prevail and to win this battle. Though a thousand fall at my side and ten thousand at my left hand, I shall survive. I am a survivor in the name of Jesus. God will strengthen and keep me in all my ways!”

Chapter 2

Acknowledge the Gifts of Others

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Galatians 2:7

Peter acknowledged that the ministry to the Gentiles was clearly in the hands of the apostle Paul. Can you acknowledge that God has given something to someone else? If you can, then you are a leader. A leader is someone who is able to acknowledge the special grace on another person’s life. My library is made up of books of other ministers.

I have the books of every pastor in my city. I acknowledge that God is using other people apart from me. I want to learn what they know. I privately and publicly acknowledge that they are doing great things for the Lord. Instead of acknowledging the gifts in others, pastors often find themselves criticizing and maligning one another.

Years ago, I realized that there were many people I could not reach. Many people cannot relate to the way I preach. That is why God has raised up other ministers. There are also many people who could not relate to the way others preach. That is why they joined my church. I am often amused as I observe how reluctantly some ministers acknowledge my gift. They fear to acknowledge the gifts of others.

Peter acknowledged Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. Paul also acknowledged Peter’s ministry to the Jews. You must recognize what God recognizes and honour what God honours. That is true leadership!

Chapter 3

Be a creative Leader

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

The universe is ruled by a creative God. This world is ruled by creative people. To be able to think of something new and greater and to achieve it, is creativity. An ordinary person wants to do what everyone else is doing. A leader is someone who is prepared to be creative and chart new territories.

There are two groups of people in this world. One group have created new things. The other group have created nothing. Creative people dominate non-creative people. You don’t have to look far to see this truth. The creative rule the non-creative. Be creative in your business. Be creative in your work. Be creative as a minister of the Gospel. The fact that something has not been done before does not mean that it’s wrong. You will dominate in your sphere of life.

The ministry I oversee is made up of mainly lay people. I myself, started out in ministry as a layperson. When I did, people preached about me in their pulpits saying I was not concentrating on my studies. They had never seen the lay ministry in operation. They could only criticize.

Today, this creative lay ministry has led to much growth in my ministry. Decide to be a creative leader!

Seven Steps to Becoming a Creative Leader

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what to do.

Realize that you may be in a non-creative environment. You may have to fight a spirit of non-creativity all your life.

2. Admire nature.

Be interested in animals, nature and the human body. As you become interested in things God has created, the spirit of creativity will be stirred up in you. Non-creative people are usually uninterested in nature.

3. Overcome the natural resistance to change.

Most people do not like change. Be honest, and deal with every streak of non-creativity and the “anti-change” spirit in your life.

4. Be interested in the amazing creations of ordinary men.

Be interested in medicine, surgery, cars, planes, computers, etc. Non-creative people are usually not interested in such things.

5. Be open to new and unusual ways of doing things.

Do not have a black-out attitude towards every new suggestion. I have often been laughed at when I have made new suggestions. In the end, it is these same suggestions that have been a blessing to many people. Creative people are often laughed at because of their ideas.

6. Be ready to embark on adventure.

Adventure is the sister of creativity.

7. Try introducing variations to already existing models.

Variation is the brother of creativity. A creative leader is someone who is able to come up with new ideas. New ideas often contain the solutions we need. Are you someone with new ideas?

Chapter 4

Respect Principles and You Will Build a Great Organization

Three Definitions of a Principle

1. A principle is a fundamental rule, which becomes the basis of an action.

2. A principle is the fundamental truth, which is the basis of our reasoning.

3. A principle is a general law, which is the foundation for a decision.

Seven Types of Organizations That Do Not Last

Organizations are destroyed by leaders who do not base their decisions and reasoning on principles. To build a lasting organization, church or nation, you must base your reasoning, actions and decisions on principles. Principles outlive favouritism, partisanship and political expediency. If you break principles, the principles will break you.

1. An organization that is governed by political expediency rather than principles is doomed.

“It is not politically expedient!” This is what many political leaders say. These leaders take bad decisions that destroy entire nations. When decisions in a country are made to gain political favour rather than to get the right thing done, the country is often doomed.

2. An organization that is run mainly by giving favours to relatives rather than by principles will be destroyed.

When a leader decides to place members of his family in certain positions they do not qualify for, he has set aside principles and is governing his organization by emotionalism. The Bible teaches that partiality and hypocrisy are not wisdom.

But the wisdom that is from above is… without partiality and without hypocrisy.

James 3:17

Your nation, business or church will break up when you deal with people based on family relationships rather than important principles.

3. An organization ruled by a leader who takes decisions to gain personal financial advantage will eventually collapse.

I know of a project that should have cost an organization only forty million dollars. However, it ended up costing fifty million dollars. Why? Because somebody was bribed to agree to a higher figure. Such an organization will only end up becoming highly indebted and poor. It is not governed by principles but by leaders who seek to line their pockets. If I sought to make myself rich rather than to build the church, I would see the church collapse.

4. When a nation is governed by greed rather than principles, it will end up in deep poverty.

This is the story of Africa. It is the story of greedy leaders who have drunk the blood of the nations they have governed. Instead of principled leadership, we have had greedy vampires and vultures who sucked up every drop of blood. Despotic African leaders have left their countries desolate while they have amassed millions of dollars that they can never spend in their lifetime.

5. A nation governed by selfishness rather than rules and principles is doomed.

Selfish African leaders send their children to schools in Europe and America whilst the educational system of their own country crumbles.

These selfish government ministers could not care two hoots if ten million children are not educated. The hospitals of developing Ghana decay, whilst government officials seek medical help for themselves and their favourites in London’s Cromwell Hospital. Selfishness is not a basis for good leadership.

Democracy is a political system or government based on giving power to the people through elections. The very nature of this system corrupts leaders. Selfishness drives them to remain in power indefinitely. So-called democratic leaders try to please the masses with sweet words. This is why many democratically elected leaders are liars and hypocrites. Many promises are never fulfilled.

6. An organization ruled by favouritism and partiality rather than by principles is doomed.

When a leader favours one or two people he likes because they are friends or schoolmates, he rules his organization by favouritism rather than by principle. People must be promoted on merit and not on the basis of favouritism. When everything depends on who you know and whose friend you are, the organization deteriorates.

7. An organization ruled by ethnicity rather than by principles is destined for division and war.

A leader whose mind works along ethnic lines rather than by principles is destroying his organization. Those who are not of his ethnic origin will gradually hate him. This is the basis of many of the civil wars in Africa and Europe. Many African leaders reason along ethnic lines rather than along the lines of principle. Many countries have degenerated into war zones because of this kind of leadership.

The Second World War developed as Hitler tried to eliminate Jews and other “undesirable” groups. The Balkans conflict grew as Muslims, Croats and Serbs tried to get rid of one another. The Tutsis and Hutus of Rwanda are another sombre reminder of how leadership based on ethnicity can destroy an entire region.

Three Principles You Need to Build Your Organization

1. Everybody must have an equal opportunity to make the best of his life in your organization.

2. Everyone must be promoted and rewarded based on merit rather than anything else.

3. The achievement of results, hard work, loyalty, productivity and a good attitude must always be rewarded.

Chapter 5

Don’t Think of How Much Money You Can Get from the People You Lead. Think of How Much You Can Help Them

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

Jesus had a reason for praying. He had reasons for doing the things He did. He wanted to help people. He was moved with compassion. This means that Jesus felt pity, mercy, kindness and tenderness towards the people. Obviously, Jesus was not thinking about getting any money from them. He was thinking about helping them.

Are you a leader? What thoughts go through your mind? Are they thoughts of how much money you can get from the people you lead? Are they thoughts of how much you will be paid for each move you make? Is your mind filled with thoughts of personal gain and personal profit?

If that is the case, then you are not the Jesus type of leader! Your motives are very important. The Apostle Paul described how he was burdened for his people, the Israelites.

If you are leading people for any other reason other than a desire to help them, I’m afraid you are in the wrong job. You must be concerned about other people and their problems even if you do not have those problems yourself.

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Romans 9:1-3

Since God looks on the heart, your motives are very important. God has made it clear that ministers should not be in the ministry for the money.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

1 Peter 5:2

This is why I encourage the lay ministry so much. The lay ministry serves as a filter. If you are in the ministry for financial reasons, you will not be happy to be a lay minister. Faithful lay people who desire to serve God at the highest level should be the ones to come into full-time ministry.

Chapter 6

Grow in Your Influence

…behold, the world is gone after him.

John 12:19

Jesus had influence over a large number of people. A leader increases his scope of influence as he grows in the art of leadership. The Bible tells us that the whole world went after Jesus. The Pharisees were very disturbed over this.

The devil will be afraid of the influence of a true leader. This is why governments become afraid of pastors who are true leaders. They know that a true leader influences a large number of people.

The key to growing in your influence is to grow in your influence over smaller sub-groups of people. The cumulative effect of your influence and control over these sub-groups will give you a larger sphere of influence.

When a person is a leader at heart, people who are even senior to the leader will follow him. The Apostle Paul taught Timothy to establish his influence over sub-groups in his church. In our church we call these Timothy Groups.

Eight Groups of People You Must Influence

1. Older Men

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

1 Timothy 5:1

2. Younger Men

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

1 Timothy 5:1

3. Older Women

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:2

4. Younger Women

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:2

5. Servants

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

1 Timothy 6:1 37

6. Poor People

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

1 Timothy 5:3

7. Rich People

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1 Timothy 6:17

8. Leaders Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:17

Timothy grew in his ministry until all sorts of people were part of his church. Apostle Paul had to show him how to handle all the different types of people who were responding to his gift of leadership.

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:1,2

I see you developing in the art of leadership until all sorts of people respond to your influence!

Keys to Influencing Different Groups of People

1. Show respect to those that particularly deserve it.

Elderly people, for instance, deserve more respect due to their age and experience. Do not expect the same output of energy that you would receive from younger ones. Regard the honourable citizens that God brings into your midst.

The fact that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were mentioned in the Bible tells us 39 that their support for Jesus was unusual and therefore given special recognition. This does not mean you must be prejudiced and biased towards the rich and powerful. What it means is that you must give honour to whom honour is due.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Romans 13:7

2. Study the peculiarities of different groups.

There are vast differences between men and women. These must be appreciated by anyone who wants to minister to them. There are also vast differences between older and younger women. The vision of younger women is marriage, husbands and children.

The disillusionment of older women is often marriage, husbands and sometimes children. I have found that older women have fewer delusions about what marriage and husbands can offer. They are more inclined to the service of God than younger women. That is why the Bible says that older women should teach younger women.

3. Respect the differences that exist between different groups of people.

Do not despise the peculiarities or weaknesses of each group. Very generally speaking, women are more interested in things like chatting, shopping and clothes whilst men are more interested in their jobs, money, cars, sex, etc. You cannot have a successful women’s ministry if you despise the God-given traits of women. You must respect them and celebrate womanhood.

4. Develop teachings that are specific to each group.

Bishop T.D. Jakes is an example of a minister who shows a lot of understanding for women’s 41 needs. That is why he is a successful women’s minister. He has developed teachings and written books specifically for women.

5. Develop a strong influence over leaders.

Every pastor must develop a strong teaching ministry towards leaders. There are pastors who do not know what to tell their leaders. I enjoy teaching my leaders. The more I teach leaders, the more influence I have because each leader has a sphere of authority.

Chapter 7

Develop Personal Proverbs and Dark Sayings

And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

Ecclesiastes 12:9

This preacher was someone who developed many proverbs. What is a proverb? It is a wise saying with a deep meaning. I once heard an old man say, “It is not money you need to build a house, it is wisdom.”

This was a wise saying from a man who had led the way to build many houses. As you become a successful leader, you will develop wisdom through experience. This wisdom will be transmitted through your proverbs.

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Proverbs 1:5-6

Chapter 8

Negotiate with Authorities on Behalf of Your Followers

This is a vital part of leadership. You will always have to deal with authorities. Learn to be someone who solves problems. Pray for wisdom to deal with unreasonable and difficult authorities. God will give you wisdom every time.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God…

James 1:5

Getting approval from various authorities is one of the tasks of a good leader. When I was a student, I had to get permission from principals of schools in order to use their classrooms for meetings I wanted to hold. Getting permission for what you want to do is not always as simple as it may sound. You may need to deal with city planners, the police and local authorities.

A good leader is able to make higher authorities trust you enough to grant you what you need to accomplish your vision.

Five Ways to Deal with Authorities

1. Recognize that you have to deal with authorities.

There is no way you are going to do anything in this secular world without dealing with the authorities that be. You have to recognize this fact and prepare yourself to deal with them. You cannot avoid them or go around them.

Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river…

Nehemiah 2:7

Notice how Nehemiah was able to acquire permission from the king to do what he wanted. Some people are not able to get approval or permission for anything. A good leader must be successful in this area of leadership; otherwise, you will build nothing for God.

2. Decide to comply with existing laws and regulations.

The Bible says that these authorities are there for our good.

Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God.

Romans 13:1 (New Living Translation)

3. Use the appropriate people to help you to deal with these authorities.

For instance, if you are dealing with legal issues involving the government, you will have to employ good lawyers or people with legal minds.

4. Develop and maintain personal and cordial relationships with every relevant authority.

Remember them at Christmas and other important occasions.

5. Deal with them spiritually.

It is important to deal with authorities by praying for them. There is a direct promise in the Word for those who pray for authorities. The promise is that you will be able to live in godliness, honesty and contentment.

...supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for...kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

1 Timothy 2:1,2

Chapter 9

Convince People to Make Great Sacrifices

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26

Under the leadership of Jesus, many people gave up their lives for a great cause. Many people lost their lives because they believed in Him. I know of many missionaries who died as they served the Lord on mission fields. A leader is someone who can convince people to make sacrifices towards a great cause.

I once told a young medical doctor to go and live in a remote town of Ghana and begin a church there. This medical doctor had the option of going to the USA to become a rich consultant. He made a great sacrifice and went to that town because I had asked him to. I believe that one day, when we get to Heaven, he will be very glad that he made that sacrifice!

I remember some time ago when our church was in a crisis and we needed a huge financial input. I had to speak to many individuals and ask them to sacrifice their building projects and large amounts of money for the Gospel. They did it gladly. God has also blessed them with more than they can carry because of the sacrifices they made!

The Master Key to Leading People into Sacrifice

Are you the type of leader that people would make sacrifices for? Let me give you a key to becoming this type of leader. It is simple. You must be someone who has made great sacrifices yourself. People assess you as you speak! They are convinced when they realize that you practise what you preach.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

John 21:18,19

Jesus told Peter very clearly that following Him would lead to a horrific death on the cross. Peter was prepared to die because Jesus was leading Him. By 1840, twelve missionaries had been sent to the Gold Coast (Ghana) from the Basel Mission in Switzerland. Only two survived.

The story is told of how a class of the Basel Mission were asked, “Who will volunteer to go to the Gold Coast?” No one responded. Another question was asked, “Who is prepared to be sent to the Gold Coast?” Several people responded to that. These missionaries were prepared to die if someone would send them. You see, people are prepared to make sacrifices if they are led into it. You need a strong leader to send people to a place that has swallowed up the lives of others.

Thank God for strong leadership. Be a leader who convinces people to make sacrifices for a good cause.

Chapter 10

Take Everyone to the Top with You

As God blesses your leadership, you will find yourself rising to the top. It is important not to go to the top alone. If you go up there alone you will become isolated. You will be the only one who has prospered and has tasted the fruits of success.

Three Reasons Why You Must Take Everyone to the Top with You

1. To avoid isolation

When you are isolated, you are lonely and have no one to share your joys with. Joy shared is double joy and sorrow shared is half-sorrow. I am glad I have people to share my nice things with. I can speak freely about God’s blessings on my life because I am not the only one who is blessed. The people around me can relate to those blessings because they experience them as well.

When I began playing golf, I tried to get all my full-time pastors to play as well. I’m glad that today I have people to play with and to have fun with. I would have been very lonely out there on my own!

2. To avoid becoming an easy target

When you are isolated at the top you become an easy target. You are easy to spot because you are the only one who has certain benefits. When you are the only one with a nice car or house you are easy to pick out. Many of my staff have just as nice a house or car as I have. I am not the only one in my church who travels around the world. Many of my pastors travel around the world whilst I stay home. They ring me from different parts of the world while I hold the fort in Africa.

3. To avoid being pulled down

When you are the only one at the top, you are surrounded by desperate people. Desperate people are dangerous and could harm you at any time. They will try to pull you down to their level of frustration. However, if you are all at the top, they can only pull you sideways and not downwards.

Six Attempts by Jesus to Take Everyone with Him to the Top

1. Jesus took His disciples to nice places like weddings.

He didn’t just take them to the synagogues, prayer meetings, the garden of Gethsemane or Great Commission staff meetings.

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

John 2:2

2. Jesus always took His disciples to high society engagements. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

John 2:2

3. Jesus always ate with His disciples.

He took His disciples along with Him to dinners and luncheons held in His honour.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Matthew 26:26

4. Jesus asked His Father if His staff could come to Heaven with Him. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am…

John 17:24

5. Jesus invited all sorts of people to the famous banquet of Luke 14.

He tried to get cripples, beggars, prostitutes and anyone who was interested to come with Him to the banquet.

Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

Luke 14:16

6. Jesus invited the thief on the cross to come to paradise with Him.

Truly, Jesus wanted to take everyone to the top with him.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Luke 23:43

Chapter 11

Build Something if You Are a Leader!

Many people think that it takes wealth and riches to build a house. From experience, I know that it is not money per se but wisdom that is required. People who are able to rally their resources together and use them wisely often become builders. Often such a person is a leader.

Have you built a house? Have you built a church? What you build will testify of your leadership. Decide to build something for God in your lifetime.

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

Proverbs 24:3

Leadership qualities make a pastor acquire a church building for his church. Buying buses or instruments for your church is different from building a church facility. A wise manager would acquire properties for his company. I can assure you that it takes the strength of leadership to build a nation. Weak leaders cannot build anything! Decide today to be a builder. A husband who builds a house for his wife and children is a true leader.

The first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, is often hailed as a great leader. One of the things he did was to build many things for the nation. For instance, he built the Akosombo Dam, which has the largest man-made lake in the world. The things he built testify to the fact that Ghana once had a great leader. Leadership is manifest by the presence of buildings. A good leader leaves something behind.

Western countries have well-developed infrastructure that testify of the kind of leadership they have enjoyed. African countries that have been ruled by illiterate dictators and vampire-style despots, have very little infrastructure. Truly, buildings and development are a sign of good leadership. Solomon was a wise leader.

I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

Because I have been involved in building, I can understand why most people shy away from it. But I believe that God has called leaders to build. Nehemiah, one of the great leaders of the Bible, motivated the people of God to rise up and build. His famous sermon was simple – arise and build!

…The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build…

Nehemiah 2:20

Chapter 12

Be Constantly Aware of Your Life’s Vision

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

John 18:37

Jesus knew why He was in this world. Even in times of great stress, He explained His life’s purpose. A leader is someone who is constantly aware of his purpose. I am constantly aware of what God has called me to do. Everyday of my life is spent trying to fulfil the calling of God on my life. When you are aware of what you are supposed to do, you are guided aright into spending your time appropriately. If you only remember that you are a pastor when you arrive in church, then you are probably not a real pastor. When I was a layperson working in the hospital I was constantly aware of my calling into the ministry. Even when Jesus was a child, He said, “I must be about my father’s business.”

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Luke 2:49

Dear leader, what is your life’s purpose? Are you a businessman trying to make money? Then why does your business run like a charity? Why do you not cut your expenses and begin to make profits? Are you a minister of the Gospel? Then don’t be taken up with the love of money. God did not call you to acquire great wealth. He called you to serve in the ministry. Do the ministry even if you have to live in poverty.

God gave me a dream. In the dream, I saw myself walking on a long road. Along this road were many heaps of gold. As I walked on the path, I would pass by these heaps of gold.

The Lord specifically told me, “Do not stop at any of these heaps. There are many heaps of gold on this road. There will be no need for you to stop by any of them.”

You see, God was showing me that I should stick with my vision. He was telling me not to deviate into business or the search for money. Are you a leader? Then let your vision fill your heart and mind so that you will not deviate from your original calling. If you are a minister, remember that it is souls, souls and more souls. Not money, money and more money!

*******

Other Best-Selling Books by Dag Heward-Mills:

Loyalty and Disloyalty

Leaders and Loyalty

Transform Your Pastoral Ministry

The Art of Leadership

Model Marriage

Church Planting

The Mega Church

Lay People and the Ministry

These titles are also available in Spanish and/or French. Information about other foreign translations of some of the titles above may be obtained by writing to our email address.

Table of Contents

Publisher Information

Chapter 1 - What have you survived

Chapter 2 - Acknowledge the Gifts of Others

Chapter 3 - Be a creative Leader

Chapter 4 - Respect Principles and You Will Build a Great Organization

Chapter 5 - Don't Thing of How Much Money You Can Get from the People You Lead. Think of HOw Much You Can Help Them

Chapter 6 - Grown in Your Influence

Chapter 7 - Develop Personal Proverbs and Dark Sayings

Chapter 8 - Negotiate with Authorities on Behalf of Your Followers

Chapter 9 - Convince People to Make Great Sacrifices

Chapter 10 - Take Everyone to the Top with You

Chapter 11 - Build Something if You Are a Leader

Chapter 12 - Be Constantly Aware of Your Life's Vision

Other Best Sellers