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.