Character

"You teach what you know but you reproduce who you are."

I don't know who first made that statement but as it has to do with leadership and ministry it is surely truth.

Character and integrity are everything when it comes to ministry leadership.

We must minister out of a context of personal integrity and character. We must work things out in our own lives before we can instruct someone else.

I believe that there are a great number of ministry leaders who teach things that they've not worked out in their own lives. Apostle Paul pointed out a time or two that he had not obtained the full measure of what he was pursuing, I am also challenged by the fact that he encouraged his followers on more than one occasion to imitate the way he lived and led for Christ. He actually told Timothy to live according to the pattern that he had given him. (2Timothy1)

If I do not live a disciplined life I will not lead anyone to a disciplined life. I will only lead someone in developing a prayer life that rises to the level of my own. I cannot lead someone beyond where I am...and when I try without transperancy then I lack character.

Yes, as leaders we can inspire people to reach further than we have and to accomplish things that we've never accomplished, but the fact is we cannot disciple or coach someone in something that we are simply unwilling to pursue with dilligence in our own lives.

Leaders, lead with character. Be who you say you are. Live the way you teach others to live. Be an example.

You can teach what you know but you can only reproduce who you are. Be someone worthy of reproducing.