I know some fine Godly men who are pastors, that preach their heart out week after week, that are great communicators bringing the message in such a way that it really connects with people. I know others that are wonderful shepherds of their people, and many that fit into both categories. I know Teachers that people have really learned a lot from and know God’s Word inside and out. All of this is crucial and a necessary part in helping us grow in our faith and spiritual maturity….but it does not make one a leader.
I know, and I am sure you do as well, pastors and teachers who are loved by their people…but yet they don’t follow them. Receiving information and even inspiration on it’s own rarely changes people….or not very much anyway. There are many different definitions of leadership but from a Biblical standpoint it means helping people to get on God’s agenda and to continue down that path. There is an intentionality to it. It is work, hard and even sacrificial, it is an investment that does not always pay-off from a results-based evaluation. When you look at it from an obedience-based evaluation it does. God always judges on obedience not results.
We can’t just provide opportunities for our people to grow and hope that they do, we must do all we can to insure it. Oh, I have heard it many times, we can’t “make” people do anything. This is true, but I think political correctness has invaded the thinking of those in the church in such a way we are afraid to hold people accountable….to say or do things that might make people uncomfortable in any way. The Holy Spirit’s job is to enlighten us, to use God’s Word to penetrate our heart, to make us realize that there is something wrong with me…that there is something I need to do or change. He also guides our conscience to help prevent us from displeasing the Lord or to repent of a wrong. He is responsible for the what…… and leaders are responsible for the how. I can be convicted or inspired and yet still take no action. The Holy Spirit does not force us to do anything. Good Leaders do not force us either but they show us how and hold us accountable. Now to be a good leader is often a lonely road…and it seems this road is becoming even lonelier as the years go by. (Thoughts From the Trail)
I know, and I am sure you do as well, pastors and teachers who are loved by their people…but yet they don’t follow them. Receiving information and even inspiration on it’s own rarely changes people….or not very much anyway. There are many different definitions of leadership but from a Biblical standpoint it means helping people to get on God’s agenda and to continue down that path. There is an intentionality to it. It is work, hard and even sacrificial, it is an investment that does not always pay-off from a results-based evaluation. When you look at it from an obedience-based evaluation it does. God always judges on obedience not results.
We can’t just provide opportunities for our people to grow and hope that they do, we must do all we can to insure it. Oh, I have heard it many times, we can’t “make” people do anything. This is true, but I think political correctness has invaded the thinking of those in the church in such a way we are afraid to hold people accountable….to say or do things that might make people uncomfortable in any way. The Holy Spirit’s job is to enlighten us, to use God’s Word to penetrate our heart, to make us realize that there is something wrong with me…that there is something I need to do or change. He also guides our conscience to help prevent us from displeasing the Lord or to repent of a wrong. He is responsible for the what…… and leaders are responsible for the how. I can be convicted or inspired and yet still take no action. The Holy Spirit does not force us to do anything. Good Leaders do not force us either but they show us how and hold us accountable. Now to be a good leader is often a lonely road…and it seems this road is becoming even lonelier as the years go by. (Thoughts From the Trail)
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