LEADERSHIP - Is It WAXING OR WANING?

I Was Just Thinking About – LEADERSHIP - Is It Waxing or Waning?

For those who are either called to leadership positions, or those who crave, expect and require it for themselves, there is an important consideration for those who live and function within Christ’s Church. One place where it is prominently mentioned is First Peter 5:2-3, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” In this new cultural area where mega-churches are a primary focus, the caliber of leadership is based more on personality appeal and popularity than it is on the one who is endeavoring to obediently walk humbly with his God. The personality/popularity appeal seems to dominate within peer groups whereas the one who endeavors to walk humbly is tolerated but dismissed as one who is necessary or relevant.

Dr. A. W. Tozer wrote in a devotional, Reluctant Leaders, “I believe that it might be accepted as a fairly reliable rule of thumb that the man who is ambitious to lead is disqualified as a leader. The Church of the Firstborn is no place for the demagogue or the petty religious dictator. The true leader will have no wish to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and altogether as ready to follow as to lead when the Spirit makes it plain to him that a wiser and more gifted man than himself has appeared…History will show that the church has prospered most when blessed with strong leaders and suffered the greatest decline when her leaders were weak and time serving. The sheep rarely go much farther than the Shepherd.”

The lessons Jesus taught His disciples are applicable to His people and servants today. However, we are no better at remembering His instructions than were those who walked in His footsteps as disciples. As an example, in John 13:12-15, after He had washed the disciples fee, Jesus asked them: “Do you understand what I have done for you? I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” In John 15:1-17, Jesus stated particular principles to His disciples: “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me…. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete…My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you…You are my friends if you do what I command…I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” How are you/we doing with this basic instruction of our Lore, Savior, Master and Friend?

Many churches are stuck as though they are in a rut. Someone once defined ”rut” as it applied to the Christian and Church  as being a grave with both ends removed. Is that correct? Do you believe that you and your church is enduring existence in a rut? Most would agree that the Church has become too complacent and desperately needs and would benefit from revitalization. When I mentioned this concept to a man who attends a deteriorating Church, he indicated that rather than “revitalization” it needs “resurrection.” The dying (or dead) church is suffering from years of complacency, apathy and laziness. It has failed because it did not recognize or deal with the attrition that was occurring and the demographic shift that had taken place. The Church is becoming more and more absent of families and young people. They are either going elsewhere where a “Church” is deemed to be alive or they are not attending anywhere? 

Leadership (Shepherds) need to awaken and set aside pride and arrogance. Congregations (Sheep) need to cry out louder and louder Psalm 85:4-6, “Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not REVIVE us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.