To leaders

The challenge of senior church leadership is direction and purpose. Where are we going? and what are we doing? The role of elder has been the subject of much debate for as long as I have been a Christian. Many an elders retreat has been lost to the introspective debate of “Who are we?” and the future of the church itself hasn’t been discussed.

I learnt again this year that in order to succeed in life you need confidence. In any role or responsibility, confidence comes from believing the Word and three simple principles. FOCUS, SIMPLICITY and BALANCE.

What is our FOCUS in leading the church? What are we trying to do? Get more people in seats? Get more hands raised for salvation? Increase the income? NO.

Our FOCUS is to get out the message of good news and teach those that respond to it how to live. The Reformation and its focus on faith might have led us to believe that our major focus was to bolster the faith of the faithful every Sunday. We find it uncomfortable to deal with James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

The bulk of our work with regular attendees is SIMPLY put, shaping practices in their lives. The notion that we should discreetly suggest a preferred lifestyle is incorrect. At the same time we shouldn’t become meddlers, nosy interferers, and heavy shepherds. BALANCE is the key here. The follower of Jesus should choose to follow an example of faith found in their leaders.

John Robinson gave this charge in 1620 to the Pilgrims as they were about to board the Mayflower for America:
“I charge you before God that you follow me no further than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. ”

A zen proverb states “When the pupil is ready, the master appears.” The success of your leadership is reliant on the readiness of those around you to follow your example. Command and control, spiritual manipulation and title driven leadership won’t do anything to extend the rule of God in people’s hearts, Acts 2:42 says “ All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” We need to restore the dynamic of eager followership to the church. The reluctant attendance and service that so many give is not heaven’s culture.

If a leader is going to shape this trend, he or she must pray. We will be fools to think that we will get anything without asking God. God does not respond to the correct statement of faith or the godliness of church members. God gives an answer to those who ask.

Time in Boston

Visited Boston City again today. It was envigorating enough to jolt me back into blogging mode.

We have always felt Michael struggles to see clearly beyond a few feet. He was given prescription glasses a few years ago which he couldn't adapt to. Well, he still needed glasses and the school and a local optometrist confirmed that. Here he is showing his new pair off.

Went with a friend, Mark, to collect my Rolex which needed a service. Turns out the watch, given to me by my Dad, is quite a collectors item. The model is nearly 40 years old and was made popular by the iconic Steve McQueen. Here is Mark posing in front of the city in the bracing wind.

After picking up the watch we visited the historic north end where many Italians find their roots. We engaged in a progressive lunch as we tasted the exquisite Italian cuisine. Here is a pic of the main street in that area.

The oldest existing structure in Boston, the home of Paul Revere was also on our walkabout. It is the dark grey building in the background.

On our way home we crossed over the newly built Zakim bridge which is reminiscent of the Nelson Mandela bridge.

Boston has an intriguing character, full of history. It has a great blend of European and local culture. Just love it!

Decision 08

Americans, are you ready for Election day and beyond? Believers, does Jesus ride a Donkey or an Elephant?

I have regularly encountered the presumption that God is partisan in this imminent election. The bible records God taking up an unusual position as the confrontation between the Israelites and Jericho loomed:

Joshua 5:13 'When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, "Are you friend or foe?"
14 "Neither one," he replied. "I am the commander of the Lord’s army."

God preserved his transcendence above the armies of Joshua and the people of Jericho. We might feel there was an obvious choice; that God should have sided with Joshua. Well He did, supernaturally Jericho's walls fell, but mere days later God sided with the forces of the small town of Ai over Israel. Israel were routed and there was loss of life because, through Achan, Israel had deviated from the plan.

God’s decision to be with a party is based on His purposes, not the party's political stance. God has favored Egypt over the land of Jacob in a famine (because of one man, Joseph), He favored Assyria over Israel militarily because of Israel’s backsliding, He favored Babylon over Judah for the same reason. He favoured Persia over Babylon for the same reason. The fact that the Assyrians, Babylonians and Persians were cruel and ungodly didn’t stop God strengthening them as they fulfilled his cause.

God isn’t blue or red, He is God. Does God approve of abortion? no, does he approve of loss of life in Iraq? no, Is any party perfect? Absolutely no. What does God want to achieve through this election? His purpose.

As always, the fear factor is a commonly played card at election time. We often end up voting against someone rather than for someone. 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Fear is never a good motivation, so shake it off and fill your heart with optimism.

Remember, life-shaping choices are more important than political choices. God’s favor can abide on your life, family, church, community and even nation, regardless of who presides over the government

The right decision is to pray and vote with a positivity about the future. Choose an attitude of faith, regardless of the result.