Six Reasons for Courage ...

SIX REASONS Why Pastors and Church Leaders Must Be More Courageous Today... by Thom Rainer 

If I could choose one more course for ministry training and preparation, it would be “Courageous Leadership.” I hear from so many pastors and staff who are trained well in the classical disciplines, but who are ill-prepared for the real world of church ministry.

Though there have certainly been more difficult times in the course of Church history for pastors, leading a church today is much tougher than it was 20 and 30 years ago. There have been some demographic and cultural shifts that reflect this reality. But some of the challenges can only be understood in the context of spiritual warfare.

So, what are some of the specific reasons pastors and church leaders must be more courageous today? Though my list is far from exhaustive, allow me to name six of the key factors.

 1️⃣ There have been dramatic shifts in culture, most of them adversarial to biblical Christianity. Church leaders can no longer assume that biblical values are normative in culture today. To the contrary, many of the cultural mores are antithetical to Christian truth. The pastor must take a stand in this adversarial environment while remaining pastoral and compassionate.

 2️⃣ The position of pastor is no longer held in high esteem in many communities. When I was a pastor in the 80s and 90s, I could count on some level of respect from community members because of my vocation. That is not the case most of the time today.

 3️⃣ Church critics can be vicious. Have you noticed that, throughout the Bible, the greatest harm to a believing community comes from dissension among the believers? Opposition from the outside is a challenge; dissension from within can be devastating. And church critics today seem to have gone wild!

 4️⃣ Pastors must push against the “me” mentality of many church members. For reasons I have noted for years, many of our church members see church membership as tantamount to country club membership. They pay their way and get their perks. Pastors who push against this pervasive and unbiblical mentality often do so at great cost.

 5️⃣ Good church leaders must say “no” often. The best church leaders say no to the good so they can say yes to the best. But those who receive a “no” don’t often receive it well.

 6️⃣ Ultimately church leadership is spiritual warfare. Paul leaves no doubt to this reality in Ephesians 6:13: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.” Pastors and church leaders are truly engaged in spiritual warfare. They must have courage, a courage that can only come from God.

I am not certain about the mindset of Joshua before he led the people of God into the Promised Land, but it seems like he needed an extra dose of courage. Repeatedly in Joshua 1, God tells him: “Be strong and courageous . . . “ (Joshua 1:6).

Church leaders need to be reminded of the need for courage today. Serving as a pastor is an impossible job without the strength and courage that comes only from God.

https://churchanswers.com/podcasts/rainer-on-leadership/six-reasons-pastors-must-be-more-courageous-today/

~ Thom S. Rainer is the founder and CEO of Church Answers, an online community and resource for church leaders.

An Iron Grip in a Velvet Glove...

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." -- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

My grip is no different than most men my age. I can easily crush a soda can with one hand or maintain a firm grip on my "All American" hound when she wants to chase a squirrel across the street. At the same time I can hold a new born infant tenderly or carry an egg across the kitchen without breaking the shell. It's God's creative gift to have an iron grip in a velvet glove.

The believer has much the same quality spiritually. As Paul counsels, we are to be firm and strong, doing everything in love. Our guard should never be down and our courage should never wane. We are to have a spiritual strength that confronts evil forcefully and presses on toward righteousness powerfully. At the same time we are to minister with the loving compassion and tenderness of our heavenly Father. We are born anew with an iron grip in a velvet glove.

How about you my pastor friend? Are you the kind of leader that is known to be firm and strong? Yet, is it rare that anyone experiences your loving touch? Or are you quite loving in everything but have lost the courage to deal with evil, choosing the hard, but right path? The Lord created and gifted you with a unique grip, both physically and a spiritually. As you follow the call to lead with an "iron grip in a velvet glove" you will discover amazing balance and blessing in all your ministry pursuits. 

~ PJVS

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