LEADERSHIP is BUILT ...

 

To His Fullest Glory...

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 

People have flocked to hear skilled and eloquent speakers for generations. The story is told of an occasion when the ever popular New York pastor, Henry Ward Beecher was on vacation from his pulpit. Ward's brother was scheduled to preach in his place and when he came to the platform a number of people gave sighs of disappointment. As the guest preacher began to speak he offered this invitation: "Those who came to hear Henry Ward Beecher may feel free to leave at this time, and those who came to hear the Word of the Lord, please remain seated." God intentionally chooses to use the foolish, the low and despised and those who are considered nothing that He alone will receive all the glory.

Paul lived and ministered in a day when traveling speakers were very common. Large crowds would gather whenever a well spoken personality came to town. Average preachers and lesser public speakers were ignored or ridiculed. How interesting that into such an atmosphere God sent fishermen, tax collectors and men like Paul to proclaim the eternal truths of God's Word. As a result, there was no room to boast in the presence of God.

Take note my pastor friend. We are all different. This is as God intended. In His providential wisdom the Lord has called his servants from every walk of life; some with great strengths and others with incredible weaknesses. Yet, no one can ever boast of anything other than God's grace and mercy in His calling. Serve with open hearts, all those who our Chief Shepherd has entrusted to you. In turn, He will use you to His fullest glory.

Think about this: "God's main concern is that we are more interested in him than in work for him. Once you are rooted and grounded in Christ the greatest thing you can do is to be. Don't try and be useful; be yourself and God will use you to further his ends." ~ Oswald Chambers

Our Family Commitments...

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." - John 19:25-27

Far too many families are lost to the pursuit of careers. Both men and women are consumed with making it big and finding success in their field of expertise. There is no sacrifice too great to achieve their goals. With such overwhelming preoccupation, family commitments fade.

Jesus went to the cross with the greatest goal in all of history. His purpose was to redeem the souls of mankind through the shedding of his blood. He became sin for sinners so they might be clothed with the righteousness of God. While this demand was tremendous, his devotion to family remained a priority. To Jesus, family commitments never faded.

How about it my pastor friend? Where is your family in the flow of your life? Have you become so entrenched with your ministry and all your expectations that your family has become a distant second? Look to the cross and see the Savior; in the midst of incredible suffering, loving and caring for his mother. Be wise, and never, never, never let your family commitments fade.

Consider this... "The life of religion, and the welfare and glory of both the Church and the State, depend much on family government and duty. If we suffer the neglect of this, we shall undo all." ~ Richard Baxter

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP...

 

Choose Wisely...

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10

The Sunday that I was being considered for the role as pastor at my first church, a young believer asked this question: "Do you serve God, or man?" The very next year Bob Dylan wrote the song "Gotta Serve Somebody". The issue was thought provoking and life directing. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters"

Paul faced quite a dilemma with the churches in Galatia. The believers had initially trusted in the finished work of Christ for their salvation, but now there were false teachers that sought their allegiance. These teachers were winsome and convincing, teaching a works salvation. They were seeking the approval of their own circle of peers and were determined to increase their followers. Paul sought the approval of the Lord alone and was simply saying, "No one can serve two masters"

At every level my pastor friend, there is no safer path than the one that follows the Lord alone. Are you seeking the Lord's approval first and foremost in every ministry decision? Is His will not more important than the opinions of church power brokers? At every crossroad, choose to serve the Lord and you will never go astray. Remember, "No one can serve two masters". 

Think about this: "We put one foot on God's side and one on the side of human reasoning; then God widens the space until we either drop down in between or jump on to one side or the other." - Oswald Chambers

One Thing...

"But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:41-42

Every season has the potential to overwhelm a Pastor with stress. Particularly during the Easter season, when friends and families seem to come out of the woodwork to attend special programs planned at your church. As the calendar will begin to fill up this year, there might not seem to be enough hours and days to get it all done. If you're not very careful, you may become "anxious and troubled about many things."

When the above words of counsel were given, do you think that Jesus was suggesting that food was not necessary? Or was He just encouraging Martha to slow down and follow the example of Mary? Scheduling quality time to sit at the feet of Jesus makes every day and every ministry go so much easier. When we make communion with the Lord a priority, everything else falls in place in just the right way.

"One thing is necessary"! In simple words my pastor friend, let's keep the main thing, the main thing. Martin Luther put it this way, "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day." Life must go on... Ministry presses us to the limit... but it always goes best when we start with Jesus.

~ PJVS

The Fellowship of Suffering...

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." - 1 Peter 5:8-9

Elijah complained in 1 Kings 19:14, "I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” To this the Lord responded in verse 18 with, "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." In the face of spiritual warfare even pastors may feel alone in the battle, but we will find new courage when we remember that there are others who are fighting with us. We're strengthened by the Lord and inspired by the fellowship of suffering.

As Peter wrote to the early church under severe persecution, he charged them to resist the devil and stand firm, because there were others in the fight as well. To be encouraged to remain steadfast, Peter reminded them that they were not alone in the battle. Just as with Elijah of old, there were others who were suffering persecution but were remaining true to their faith and calling. There was strength in Lord and inspiration in the fellowship of suffering.

Shepherds of the flock will always face lions, and tigers, and bears... Oh, My!! The spiritual warfare will be difficult and the pressure will be great, but we are never alone in the battle. Be steadfast my pastor friend, resist the devil and stand firm in your faith and care for your flock. Take time to remember, there is strength in Lord and inspiration in the fellowship of suffering.

~ PJVS