Ep 205 - Leadership Care - C5 Leadership - Ephesians 4:15

𝐂𝟓𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, & 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡

 

C5 stands for Care, Counsel, Community, Commission, and Church. Our mission is to equip leaders to care for those entrusted to them, counsel them towards God, and foster strong biblical community. The goal? Never leave someone solely in care or counsel, but instead guide them into a supportive, thriving community.

 

🎙️ Welcome back to the podcast!

 

Today, we’re diving into C5 Leadership—a framework designed to equip church leaders to care well, counsel wisely, build Christ-centered community, commission others, and ultimately establish healthy churches both locally and globally. Our primary focus is Westminster Baptist Church, but these principles extend to all believers seeking to lead well in their churches and communities.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Speaking Truth in Love: (Ephesians 4:15) Paul instructs believers to speak the truth in love, allowing us to grow into Christ, our head. This involves both truth and love—one without the other can lead to either harshness or false comfort. Truth without love can be destructive. Love without truth can lead to compromise and apathy.

2. The Challenges of Speaking Truth in Love: How do we balance truth and love, especially when correction is needed? Does intent matter more than words? Is it okay to call someone out in a group, or should it be private? What’s the role of relationship in delivering truth?

Practical Takeaway: ✅ Seek first to understand before speaking. ✅ Approach conversations with humility and a heart posture of love. ✅ If correction is needed, consider context and relationship before addressing the issue.

3. Truth vs. Lies: How Do We Filter What We Hear? Before speaking truth, we need to discover truth. How do we uncover truth? Through God’s Word—filtering everything through Scripture. By asking good questions—digging deeper into situations. Through wise counsel—seeking input from godly people.

Practical Takeaway: ✅ Don't rely on perception alone—investigate before speaking. ✅ Ensure your words align with biblical truth before giving advice or correction. ✅ Surround yourself with wise, godly people who help refine your perspective.

4. The Role of Community in Speaking Truth in Love: Speaking truth in love is best done in relationship. Community leaders (life group leaders, discipleship leaders, ministry heads) must navigate when, where, and how to correct and encourage others.

Public vs. Private Correction: Some situations require one-on-one conversation (Matthew 18 principle). Others may benefit from group discussion for accountability and teaching.

Practical Takeaway: ✅ Develop trust and relationships before offering correction. ✅ Know when to speak privately vs. bring issues to a group setting. ✅ Allow trusted voices to sharpen your approach before speaking.

5. The Opposite of Love: Hate or Apathy? Is hate the opposite of love, or is it apathy? Apathy (not caring) is dangerous—it means we don’t love enough to help someone grow. Hate, in the biblical sense, is not always sinful—God “hates” sin because it destroys life. Acceptance without truth isn’t love—it’s apathy.

Practical Takeaway: ✅ Love actively seeks the best for others, even when truth is hard. ✅ Apathy says, “Do whatever you want,” but true love leads people toward life in Christ. ✅ Be willing to engage in tough conversations with grace and wisdom.

6. Implementing This in Your Leadership (Care, Counsel, Community): Leaders must move toward people, even in difficult situations. Growth requires both truth and love—one without the other is ineffective. Humility is key—we don’t have all the answers, but we can point people to Christ. Be a good Berean—know God’s Word so you can filter truth properly.

Practical Takeaway: ✅ Commit to listening before speaking. ✅ Lead with grace, wisdom, and Scripture. ✅ Recognize that growth is a process—it’s slow, messy, and requires patience.

Final Thoughts & Call to Action: How are you speaking truth in love? Are you filtering what you hear through God’s Word? Are you leading with humility, patience, and wisdom?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or send us questions—we’d love to hear from you! Thanks for joining us today.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes and upcoming services. Share this message with someone who needs to hear the power of words today!

✅ Learn more online: https://www.discoverwbc.com/ ​​​​​​​​

✅ Like us on Facebook: / discoverwbc ​​​​​​​​​

✅ Follow us Instagram: / discoverwbc ​​​​​​​​​​

✅ Connect on Twitter: / discoverwbc ​​​​​​​​​​

✅ Listen on Podbean: https://discoverwbc.podbean.com