Steward Leadership - VCP Director Claude's Leadership Values

 

     This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.

We recently concluded our series on Steward Leadership.  Today, I want to revisit a podcast from four years ago in which I shared the leadership values of VCP Director Claude.  

1. Claude considers everybody’s point of view.  He does not merely do what he wants; as a leader, he realizes that everyone needs to be heard and their input considered.  I think of Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” [emphasis added].  Good and godly leaders seek input from all involved and seek the Lord as they make decisions.  We cannot please everyone with every decision, but good leaders can ensure that everyone involved feels like they have had the opportunity to be heard.  

2. Claude is ready to help.  This value is demonstrated in various ways.  It may be providing training or counsel, or help with a task.  He has also established funds in the VCP budget to assist with key leaders’ health or emergency needs.  Claude serves those he leads by assisting them with both ministry skills and practical needs. Good, godly leaders seek to serve those whom they lead.  

3. Claude is adaptable with his behaviors. When it’s time to be serious and work, Claude describes himself as the first one there.  When it’s time to relax and have fun, he is free to enjoy the time with everybody.  He leads by example and helps others to know what is expected in a particular situation.   This brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s words, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).  This also reminds me of the importance of maintaining a healthy work/life balance.  If leaders work all the time, they risk burnout and fatigue.  

4. Finally, Claude wants to transfer what he knows to others.  This may be by teaching, mentoring, or in a simple conversation.  He collaborates with others to raise their leadership effectiveness to new levels.  Christ took a similar approach; he spent time with his disciples and poured his life and teaching into them.  This method worked for Jesus, and it will work for godly leaders today.  Acts 4:13 tells us that “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” [emphasis added]

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Steward Leadership - To Whom Much Is Given

    This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders.  

Our topic for 2025 is steward leadership, and today I want to share a personal message on this subject.  

Once again, we define a steward as “someone who manages resources belonging to another person in order to achieve the owner’s objectives.”  

For a number of years, Luke 12:47-48 has been both a challenging and a motivating scripture for me.  

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But, the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

We have spoken in previous podcasts in this series that accountability accompanies blessing. We are blessed in order that we can bless others and not merely hoard God’s blessings for ourselves. Verse 47 warns us that there are consequences for us when we fail to obey our Master in this matter.  

On a personal note, the latter half of verse 48 has been a great motivator for me for many years. “From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” You see, I realize that much has been entrusted to me.  I was born into a Christian family; I’m at least a fourth-generation Christ follower.  I’ve had access to excellent education and good health care. I’ve been blessed to be part of strong local churches and to enjoy a good career.  

One could say that I am privileged. God has entrusted me with many blessings, and I feel the weight of responsibility to steward His many blessings in order to meet his expectation (the scripture says “will be demanded”) of fruitfulness.  This topic of “privilege” was quite controversial in America just a few years ago when some claimed that I should apologize for my privilege and renounce it. Instead, I embrace my privilege and endeavor to raise others up to a similar condition.  I’ve been entrusted with much. I desire to steward that well, to raise others up so that the work of VCP can bear much fruit.    

We are incredibly grateful for God’s favor and His provision, and we must steward these well.  

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters and leaders.