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Friends United Meeting |
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July/August 2003
Worthy Leadership
By John A. Muhanji
Over a hundred years ago the Quaker missionaries arrived in Kenya and established the movement of the Friends Church in Africa. In the next 100 years will the Kenyan Quaker leaders stand up and be real Christian leaders in a fast-changing society? Will we move with the wind of the Holy Spirit to bring change in the church of Christ? And shall we realize that Peace lives in the throne of Jesus and embrace it?
In this second phase of the Quaker movement in Africa will we face the challenge of leadership worthiness? To live and work on the high plane of worthy leadership requires seven inescapable decisions and a commitment to them. Leaders cannot avoid, skip, neglect or escape these seven tests that determine the quality and quantity of their successfulness to leaders. In present leaders, reviewing these tests will refresh your memories and commitments and they will challenge those who aspire to leadership. All persons have some influence on others, but how they deal with these seven tests determines the worth of their leadership to God, to others and to themselves.
The Test of Mission
The Test of Mission is determinative, foundational and critical. What
a person accepts, or fails to accept, as his life's mission determines
both the direction and the worth of his existence. Acceptance of a personal
or institutional mission lays the foundation for all future activities.
The Test of Mission establishes criteria that are critical both to the
leader and to followers. It is no exaggeration to assert that failure
in the Test of Mission leads to continual uncertainty and confusion. He
who knows not where he is going will arrive where he knows not. Mission
is critical. Quakers in Kenya, let us observe this.
The Test of Service
The Test of Service identifies the basis of the motivation of the leader.
Foolish or false leaders may attempt to hide or misrepresent the result
of this test. Wise and good leaders attempt to demonstrate the result
of this test which answers the question: Why do I serve? It reveals if
leaders are motivated to benefit self or others! It also reveals leaders
who are motivated to glorify God! Only the foolish or false fear the Test
of Service.
The Test of Integrity
The Test of Integrity identifies the true character of a leader. Almost
all leaders profess integrity but only their daily actions and attitudes
authenticate their actual character. Foolish and false leaders may profess
integrity, but their actions and attitudes unmask infidelity. The test
of actual life reveals when self-serving policy and potential profit override
principle.
The wise and good leader welcomes this Test of Integrity because only a life-test can reveal sincerity, consistency and continuing commitment to mission. Without these three elements of character, no leader can pass the Test of Integrity. Woe to the follower whose leader has failed this Test of Integrity!
The Test of Ability
The Test of Ability measures the potential for success of all leaders,
both worthy and unworthy. Contrary to some evaluations, however, personal
scores of leaders in this Test may fail to limit their potential. What
is the reason?
Where natural ability threatens to limit a leader's success potential, acquired ability may supply what nature failed to bestow. Where natural and acquired ability fall short, enlisted ability may supply. The success of a worthy leader depends not on natural ability but upon the sum of the leader's acquired and enlisted abilities. The power of a team measures the natural ability of the coach plus the acquired ability of the coach's experience and the enlisted abilities of the members of the team.
The Test of Vision
The Test of Vision determines the degree of reality by which a "mission"
dominates the life and work of a leader. The leader with vision has accepted
an objective and, having seen the goal, begins to activate the means to
bring the vision into reality. Both the clarity of the objective and the
practicality of the means must be conveyed to followers for the vision
to become actual. A worthy leader is a sharer of vision!
The Test of Dedication
The Test of Dedication uncovers the reality and degree of commitment by
which a worthy leader dedicates himself and those who follow to the work
of "mission" seen in his vision. Total dedication allows no
exemptions nor exceptions. Passing the Test of Dedication requires total
commitment and continuing surrender to the vision of mission.
The Test of Faith
The Test of Faith reveals that worthy leaders have seen and dedicated
their all to a vision of mission that exceeds their natural, acquired
and enlisted abilities, and requires GodŐs power to bring it into actuality.
Those who pass the Test of Faith find unique spiritual helps — they
are never alone, they enjoy a sense of adequacy and they are the true
"I Can" leaders.
Whatever the mission, whatever the need, they have three beliefs: God can do it! God can do it through me! And God can do it through me here!
The weakest person can become a strong leader by passing the Test of Faith! Here is the supernatural power for the Christian faith and the church. Some leaders refuse to face the Test of Faith, but none who fails to pass this Test attains worthy Christian leadership.
John A. Muhanji is the Finance Director, AQUAVIS, Kenya, Africa.
Copyright (c) 2003 Friends United Meeting
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