Loyalty is highly needed today because that is the principal qualifications of a leader, at any level. Unfortunately, we have so many people who have come into the ministry of our Lord who are highly disloyal to God and their leaders. There is crisis of disloyalty everywhere and a lot of back-stabbing between leaders and their followers.
Too many churches and ministries started and are still starting due to disloyalty to a leader somewhere. How can those churches and ministries grow? We all need to lay a new foundation of loyalty fresh in our lives and work of the Lord.
Loyalty means faithfulness and truthfulness to a leader. It is a long term commitment to the goal and vision of a leader. It is being dedicated, sold out and sincere. It is the willingness to serve under a leader.
Loyalty is a full heart persuasion to be open, truthful and honest with a leader. A loyal associate is the person who serves with integrity and faithfulness, and who keeps back nothing that will be profitable to his leader.
Loyalty calls for full decision and analysis. You must be truly convinced that you want to serve the interest of your leader and therefore be truthful and faithful to him in all things. Of course, loyalty is based on principles, not emotions.
A loyal associate has his mind made up to be loyal and truthful in service. Such was the case of Daniel while serving under King Dairus
“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him” (Dan. 6:4).
What a record for an associate leader! This is loyalty and faithfulness at its best. Also, Joseph served in the house of Potiphar with so much loyalty that everything was left in his care and his loyal heart will never allow him to abuse such privilege and opportunity, as many are doing today!
“And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a godly person, and well favoured” (Gen. 39:6).
So many young leaders today need to sincerely emulate this kind of loyal heart and spirit if they are to grasp hold of their future. Your loyalty to your leader today will surely be repaid tomorrow.
Furthermore, young David served with much loyalty and sincerity under King Saul. He was ready and willing to go anywhere and do whatever he was told with enthusiastic spirit. He was loyal to no fault. Even when his leader was after his life, he still remained sincere, honest and transparent.
“And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways and the Lord was with him” (I Sam. 18:14 )
Every leader must serve with loyalty. Every associate must possess a loyal heart to their leader. That is the only way to be blessed and promoted by the Lord.
Why Loyalty:
Loyalty is the principal qualification expected of every leader at any level. There is no two ways about it. It's either you are loyal or disloyal.
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (I Cor. 4:2).
Leaders at every level must first and foremost display loyalty to God and to the leader above them. If you know you can't serve a leader with integrity and loyalty, quit and find another leader you can be faithful to in all things. If loyalty is always a problem you are struggling with in your life, then you need to settle it with God once and for all, else, His blessings will never really be on your work.
Peace and progress in any church or ministry demands for loyal and faithful associates. Sheep only drink from still waters. If there is commotion and trouble within the leadership of any church, many of the sheep will turn away. And that is the case in very many churches.
Outwardly, things seem to be okay, the leaders are tolerating one another and trying to manage their differences, but it will eventually spill over into the church.
I once worked in a church where this was the case. The associates were quarrelling with the main leader in their meetings but always behave as if everything is okay once they are on the altar.
Unfortunately, that church eventually broke up and the members have never recovered from the adverse spiritual effect till today. Even the great promises of God for that church was never realised because of disloyalty to the leadership from the associates.
“But not deceived;God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” - (Gal. 6:7).
It is a serious thing when associates are disloyal to the leader. It will affect the work negatively and may eventually render the church redundant. And such rebellious associates will never go scot- free, God will judge them!
A large and impactful ministry demands for loyal associates. I strongly believe that it is better to work alone than with a team of disloyal, double-faced, disgruntled and disaffected associates.
Ministry topmost leaders must face this issue squarely at the early stage of their work for the Lord. You can never make it alone. You will always need good and faithful people around you, so be careful in who you choose to work with you. Pray fervently for loyal and honest associates, else, your work will always experience serious set back when associates start to misbehave.
A durable church and ministry can never be possible without principled, loyal and faithful associates. Many churches that started so powerfully, with lots of potentials have sadly remained redundant due primarily to disloyal associates.
The durability and expansion of any vision will largely be determined by the quality of leaders who are leading in the middle of the ministry. Those that have been called to work with leaders must always display faithfulness and commitment to the vision, despite all odds. The only way to have a durable work is to gather a team of fiercely loyal and dedicated people who are ready to contribute their hundred percent effort all the time. Loyalty is non-negotiable from leaders and associates if the work will last and endure.
Now, take some moments to think and reflect. How loyal have you been to your leader? How faithful have you been in the discharge of your duties? Can you serve with honesty and integrity? Don't make excuses, just reflect and repent where necessary.
“And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12).
For if you have not been loyal to others who will be loyal to you?
Faith Associates
Every leader that desires unquantifiable success need and should pray for ‘faith' associates. Every associate that desires God's blessing without measure should strive to become ‘faith' associate throughout their lives. Each and all of us must imbibe the qualities of a ‘faith' associate or assistant if we are to please the Lord who has called us to partner with Him to glorify His Son and expand the frontiers of His kingdom into every heart of the world. Faith is an acronym and it means:
F: Faithful A: Available I: Initiative T: Teachable H: Honest
Allow me to briefly comment on each one:
Faithful - Genuine Sincerity:
A good associate must be faithful and sincere. Faithfully discharging duties and faithful in reporting back all transactions. A faithful associate doesn't keep anything back from his leader. He reports gifts, financial rewards and blessings to his leader; “I'm sorry I didn't tell you” is not the excuse of a faithful assistant.
Available - Accessible & Reachable:
Available - at all time. Your ability doesn't really matter if you are not available. God needs your availability more than your ability. Of what use is your ability if you are not really available? A good associate makes himself or herself available to the leader. You must be around to serve and provide service. Your availability will more than compensate for your inability.
Initiative - Creative Ideas:
Good associates must generate ideas that will move the work forward. They can work with little or no supervision. They can initiate and be creative in providing solution to problems.
You don't need to push or pull them before they can work. You don't need to stand over their shoulders to goad and ginger them to life. They are self-starting and can move with little or no urge. They don't only see the problems, they also see the solutions to them.
Teachable - Obedient and Learning Spirit:
A teachable and learning spirit is the true spirit of associates. A good assistant must be obedient to the leader in all things. Obedience to God through honouring our leaders is the hallmark of good associates. A good associate doesn't choose what and where to obey. His mind is made up to be obedient to the leader and to learn as much as possible.
He possesses a teachable spirit. You can go to any length in life if you are teachable. A learning spirit will propel you to your greater future. What obedience will do, fasting and prayer can never do them for you. An obedient, teachable and learning spirit is what good associates possess in no small measure.
Honest - Transparent Integrity:
Good associates are transparently sincere and honest as the day. They have no skeleton to hide and no secret to cover. They don't hoard information from their leaders. “I wish I had told you earlier” is not the language or excuse of good associate, aftermath of a crisis.
Good associates don't deceive their leaders or misrepresent people or issues to them. Rather, they speak fortrightly, clearly and sincerely about issues so as to help their leaders to take the best decisions.
Such faith assistants we must become and model in our leadership if we are to truly incur God's untold blessings over us and our work. Yes, it may be difficult in some situations to see such faith associates or to become one, yet God's grace is sufficient and enabling enough to help us.
No great work can be accomplished without such associates in great supply. Leaders must pray and search for such associates and equally model it in their leadership. In organisations where this is the case, peace and progress will be in open display for all to see and experience.
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