Imagine you are walking down the street, any ol street and you are approached by a man. As he gets closer, you know in your heart and in your soul that this man is the one you have been waiting for. This is the Christ, this is Jesus, and he says "come follow me". It's time to make a choice, do you go?
To follow, you walk away from everything. He isn't staying at your house, so it's time to leave your home and all your stuff. You will probably be looked down on by your neighbors, since you won't be there to mow your grass. Would you still go? You will have to leave your family, your job, your hobbies, walk away from your responsibilities and your obligations. Bills won't get paid, things won't get done, you may be called a slacker and a coward for running away from your life. Will you go? Jesus said you can't go back, you can't look back, let them take care of it, you just follow. Will you follow?
On the road, you won't be able to provide for yourself, you will be dependent on others, will you follow? You won't be able to pay for your food, for your bed, for your necessities and you will be dependent on others to take care of you, to support you. You will depend on Jesus for your daily care. Will you go? You will be a nobody, just one of the crowd who follows, just a face. No one wants to hear you speak, they are only interested in what Jesus has to say, will you still go?
You are no longer in charge, you are not the leader. Jesus will decide where you go, where you stay, how long and why, will you follow? Jesus is calling the shots, making the rules, He is Lord, Master, Boss, the head guy. Will you follow? Your experiences, your resume, your training, your education, they no longer matter, the previous years of your life thrown away. Will you go? You will be disrespected, mock, abused, maybe arrested or even killed. Will you go? Those in charge won't understand, even the religious will mock you, call you crazy, say you are wrong, demand for you to fall into line. You will be pressured from everyone on the outside to quit, to turn back and to stop this insanity. Will you still follow?
The rules will all change. You now sleep without a house, you no longer go to your office or warehouse, store or factory. You just follow. Can you live without the materials, can you worship without a church, praise without a band, learn without a classroom? Can you change your whole life for this man who tells you to follow?
Have you changed your life to follow Him now? He still bids you to come and follow, but maybe you have just added Jesus to your life without changing much. Are you the same person as before, just with a few more rules? Have you decided to follow Jesus your own way, with your own power and your own rules? Do you walk in your way, with your strength and your abilities, depending more on your experiences and your talents? Are you trying to be Jesus yourself, or are you following? Maybe it's time to follow, walk away from your life and walk behind Jesus.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
No Fertilizer, a review of Organic God
I have read some books with "Organic" in the title, lots of reviews and some guides. Most of them on churches, church planting, Small Groups, Sunday School, some on relationships and marriage, a few on gardens (very few). I have a pretty good idea what most people mean when they say organic, so I figured I would check out this one, expecting it to have some feel good fertilizer. . . you all do know what organic fertilizer is, right? I was really surprised.
In this book, Margaret Feinberg is real, raw and open. She talks about her experience with church, with love, with career, but mostly a real and honest relationship with God. I find that so many just go through the religious motions, we know what to say and do, how to act and the right words to pray. We don't have a real relationship with God, we simply do what we have been told, modeled and what we assumed was right. This books tackles that issue.
Ok, i'm gonna be straight, I'm not emotional, and sometimes Margaret has a tendency to be a little more emotionally driven than I relate too. With that being said, I was surprised and encouraged by this book. I was hit between the eyes with a few things, Margaret talking about the American church having her dress dirty and ripped, make up smeared and hair a mess, but still the Bride of Christ and we should treat her as such. Sorta smacked me a little. It was a good read, a good book and a good perspective, I would recommend it. Four out of five stars.
In this book, Margaret Feinberg is real, raw and open. She talks about her experience with church, with love, with career, but mostly a real and honest relationship with God. I find that so many just go through the religious motions, we know what to say and do, how to act and the right words to pray. We don't have a real relationship with God, we simply do what we have been told, modeled and what we assumed was right. This books tackles that issue.
Ok, i'm gonna be straight, I'm not emotional, and sometimes Margaret has a tendency to be a little more emotionally driven than I relate too. With that being said, I was surprised and encouraged by this book. I was hit between the eyes with a few things, Margaret talking about the American church having her dress dirty and ripped, make up smeared and hair a mess, but still the Bride of Christ and we should treat her as such. Sorta smacked me a little. It was a good read, a good book and a good perspective, I would recommend it. Four out of five stars.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Lead Follower
I read a piece from Jeff Deyo on worship, about now focus on being a worship leader, but a lead worshiper. That you shouldn't focus on making the people worship, or causing them to worship, but on worshiping yourself in a way that people can follow your lead and can worship. (http://higherpraise.com/worship/worship_beingaleadworshiper.htm)
I think this applied to more than just worship, but I have become convinced beyond measure that this is exactly what Christian leadership should look like. There are so many things out there about Christian leadership, being a leader and all the things a leader must do. Some of them good, some bad, some are downright sinful. It's time for Christian leaders to break from the mold and do it how Jesus said to be leaders. Remember, Jesus said:
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45
That fits exactly the secular model, and the church has begun to buy into the CEO, President, General model of leadership. We lead with great authority, from out front in a clear and demanding way. We lead with power, we gain prestige and we use our influence. We have become the Gentile leaders we were commanded not to act like, we have become the Religious Leaders who's leaven we were told to flee. We have become the Pharisees who use our authority to become the bully, the master, the boss. We have focused on becoming the first, acting like the first and being in charge.
I have heard many conflicts during my time in ministry about authority and not to challenge authority. How many Pastor's refer to themselves as The Lord's Anointed (which is what Messiah or Christ means in English, it's a little scary). There have been lectures about how the younger men must learn to respect and show honor and authority to the men in charge. While I agree, the younger should respect the older, it should not be demanded by those in charge. It should be taught with grace and humility. There is little to no gentleness, which is a fruit of the Spirit. How we have lost our way. So many leaders are taking the leadership skills of the business class, the corporate world, the military and the government, using them in the church. Jesus said "not so with you", but we have turned a def ear.
Where are the leadership washing feet of their followers. Sure, there are leaders who will go out and serve the poor and wash their feet, often in a display, but what about the pastor washing the feet of his deacons. What about the leader serving his critic, those who won't fall in line, are we the servant to those? Do we love those we disagree with, or do we crack the whip and demand they fall into line? In someone hurts the pride of a leader, makes them look bad or foolish, does the leader act like a servant, or like a leader? How is it with us? How should it be? Jesus said in Matthew 23:11 that the greatest must be the servant. What does a servant look like? Is that what today's Christian leader look like?
I hear a lot about having integrity, but do many have integrity? Our secular leaders don't, we know from many times a microphone has accidentally been left on. We hear their true thoughts then, what they really think. What is our pastors, leaders and elders accidentally left a mike on after church? How would they talk about the people? How would they talk about other churches, pastors or leaders? What would we hear, would it sound like servants talking, or Gentile Rulers? Integrity is something staying the same, regardless of the stress, heat or pressure applied too it. A good bolt keeps it's integrity, it doesn't stretch, warp or give under pressure or torque. Do our leaders change depending on the audience, the location? Do they speak blessings to the face but curses behind the back? Do they honor an individual to their face, but slander them to others? This is not integrity, this is getting ahead, it' politics and it should not be so.
We need to take a lesson from Jeff Deyo, and from Paul. Our leadership should come from the midst, not the front. We should walk with the people of God, walking with passion toward Christ. The Apostle Paul loved Jesus and he loved the people of God. He taught them how to behave, he modeled how to behave and he said "imitate me as I imitate Christ" in 1 Corinthians 11:1. He commands Timothy to be an example in speech and conduct in 1 Timothy 4:12, leading by example. Leading others to do what Christ commands. Since the commandment Christ left is to love, the first and greatest example must be that of love. We must have leaders who love the opposition, who loves those in the church that they conflict with. It's not enough to love the poor, to love the sinner, to love the atheist. We must love the deacon that argues, the elder who is cruel, those who are hurtful in the church, those who would crucify you, after all, isn't that what Jesus modeled?
I am inviting you to join me. I am inviting you to take a commitment to be a New Testament type leader. Maybe you are already doing these things, maybe you need to repent and become a new leader. I am inviting you to become a Lead Follower, to trust Jesus and follow Him first and foremost. Your job is not to take care of the church, His job is to take care of the church. It's His bride, He redeemed her, He saved her, He is coming back for her. You are not the Great Shepherd, you are simply a hired hand, an under-shepherd, you just need to feed the sheep. They belong to Jesus. Follow the Shepherd with all your might, and those sheep that are His will hear His voice and the will walk with you.
Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation because he recognized an issue with leadership. Here we are approximately 500 years later, and it's clear that leadership corruption continues to pollute the church. I say no more, if we are going to claim to be followers of Jesus, it's time to do what He says. Can we say we love Him and not follow His commandments? Be servants, be like children, love without condition, throw the roll of Commander and Chief out the window and be who God called you to be, a Lead Follower.
I think this applied to more than just worship, but I have become convinced beyond measure that this is exactly what Christian leadership should look like. There are so many things out there about Christian leadership, being a leader and all the things a leader must do. Some of them good, some bad, some are downright sinful. It's time for Christian leaders to break from the mold and do it how Jesus said to be leaders. Remember, Jesus said:
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45
That fits exactly the secular model, and the church has begun to buy into the CEO, President, General model of leadership. We lead with great authority, from out front in a clear and demanding way. We lead with power, we gain prestige and we use our influence. We have become the Gentile leaders we were commanded not to act like, we have become the Religious Leaders who's leaven we were told to flee. We have become the Pharisees who use our authority to become the bully, the master, the boss. We have focused on becoming the first, acting like the first and being in charge.
I have heard many conflicts during my time in ministry about authority and not to challenge authority. How many Pastor's refer to themselves as The Lord's Anointed (which is what Messiah or Christ means in English, it's a little scary). There have been lectures about how the younger men must learn to respect and show honor and authority to the men in charge. While I agree, the younger should respect the older, it should not be demanded by those in charge. It should be taught with grace and humility. There is little to no gentleness, which is a fruit of the Spirit. How we have lost our way. So many leaders are taking the leadership skills of the business class, the corporate world, the military and the government, using them in the church. Jesus said "not so with you", but we have turned a def ear.
Where are the leadership washing feet of their followers. Sure, there are leaders who will go out and serve the poor and wash their feet, often in a display, but what about the pastor washing the feet of his deacons. What about the leader serving his critic, those who won't fall in line, are we the servant to those? Do we love those we disagree with, or do we crack the whip and demand they fall into line? In someone hurts the pride of a leader, makes them look bad or foolish, does the leader act like a servant, or like a leader? How is it with us? How should it be? Jesus said in Matthew 23:11 that the greatest must be the servant. What does a servant look like? Is that what today's Christian leader look like?
I hear a lot about having integrity, but do many have integrity? Our secular leaders don't, we know from many times a microphone has accidentally been left on. We hear their true thoughts then, what they really think. What is our pastors, leaders and elders accidentally left a mike on after church? How would they talk about the people? How would they talk about other churches, pastors or leaders? What would we hear, would it sound like servants talking, or Gentile Rulers? Integrity is something staying the same, regardless of the stress, heat or pressure applied too it. A good bolt keeps it's integrity, it doesn't stretch, warp or give under pressure or torque. Do our leaders change depending on the audience, the location? Do they speak blessings to the face but curses behind the back? Do they honor an individual to their face, but slander them to others? This is not integrity, this is getting ahead, it' politics and it should not be so.
We need to take a lesson from Jeff Deyo, and from Paul. Our leadership should come from the midst, not the front. We should walk with the people of God, walking with passion toward Christ. The Apostle Paul loved Jesus and he loved the people of God. He taught them how to behave, he modeled how to behave and he said "imitate me as I imitate Christ" in 1 Corinthians 11:1. He commands Timothy to be an example in speech and conduct in 1 Timothy 4:12, leading by example. Leading others to do what Christ commands. Since the commandment Christ left is to love, the first and greatest example must be that of love. We must have leaders who love the opposition, who loves those in the church that they conflict with. It's not enough to love the poor, to love the sinner, to love the atheist. We must love the deacon that argues, the elder who is cruel, those who are hurtful in the church, those who would crucify you, after all, isn't that what Jesus modeled?
I am inviting you to join me. I am inviting you to take a commitment to be a New Testament type leader. Maybe you are already doing these things, maybe you need to repent and become a new leader. I am inviting you to become a Lead Follower, to trust Jesus and follow Him first and foremost. Your job is not to take care of the church, His job is to take care of the church. It's His bride, He redeemed her, He saved her, He is coming back for her. You are not the Great Shepherd, you are simply a hired hand, an under-shepherd, you just need to feed the sheep. They belong to Jesus. Follow the Shepherd with all your might, and those sheep that are His will hear His voice and the will walk with you.
Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation because he recognized an issue with leadership. Here we are approximately 500 years later, and it's clear that leadership corruption continues to pollute the church. I say no more, if we are going to claim to be followers of Jesus, it's time to do what He says. Can we say we love Him and not follow His commandments? Be servants, be like children, love without condition, throw the roll of Commander and Chief out the window and be who God called you to be, a Lead Follower.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
So Far Behind. . . .but still in the race.
So I haven't blogged in a while. I have to make up for lost time, so I'm gonna write a big overview. Started a new job, 12 hour shifts, crazy schedule of days off and work and stuff. It should give me more time to write, but lately I have been sleeping and editing. Had some great editing projects, read an awesome book a friend wrote. Reviewing another 2 books, then 2 more books written by friends, so reading a bunch and
writing reviews and doing edits. I love it, but I wish I had more time. Have decided to expand RI Ministries into Real Life Ministries to include my coaching, church consulting, writing, speaking and whatever else. I am going to write a poem, yes I know. I am the guy who says poetry is for people who can't make prose sound good, but I have a motive. I'll tell you later. It's a good idea, at least I think so.
My immediate project is to start the Lead Followers Network. I'm going to write on that in just a second, so I won't be redundant, you can just read that post. I have about a zillion other projects I need to do, books on:
Wovenism
Worship
Education
Bible Literacy
Freedom from Bondage
Eternity (what the Bible says, not some experience or dream)
I also have a couple fiction books in mind, the second in the Green Lake Chronicles and my triology.
To go with those projects, I want to write some stuff on Following, and I need to share my vision for coaching and consulting. It's busy, but it's fun. Oh, I am also working on starting an electronics repair business, and a Linux business. Those will just be side projects because I enjoy it.
Thanks for sticking with me y'all, you I know I love you all who take time to read my blog.
writing reviews and doing edits. I love it, but I wish I had more time. Have decided to expand RI Ministries into Real Life Ministries to include my coaching, church consulting, writing, speaking and whatever else. I am going to write a poem, yes I know. I am the guy who says poetry is for people who can't make prose sound good, but I have a motive. I'll tell you later. It's a good idea, at least I think so.
My immediate project is to start the Lead Followers Network. I'm going to write on that in just a second, so I won't be redundant, you can just read that post. I have about a zillion other projects I need to do, books on:
Wovenism
Worship
Education
Bible Literacy
Freedom from Bondage
Eternity (what the Bible says, not some experience or dream)
I also have a couple fiction books in mind, the second in the Green Lake Chronicles and my triology.
To go with those projects, I want to write some stuff on Following, and I need to share my vision for coaching and consulting. It's busy, but it's fun. Oh, I am also working on starting an electronics repair business, and a Linux business. Those will just be side projects because I enjoy it.
Thanks for sticking with me y'all, you I know I love you all who take time to read my blog.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Tipping Cows, writing reviews. Redneck good times.
Being in Ministry for over a decade, much of what is written by Jared Moore in his book "10 Sacred Cows in Christianity That Need to Be Tipped" resonates with me. I have actually used the phrase "sacred cows" on occasions when talking about changes that need to be make in the ministry in which I was serving. They are often very large, very heavy and very hard to tip. This book is a quick read and very practical for pastors, leaders, deacons and elders and those who want more out of church than an hour long ritual. Jared cuts through much of the clutter and gets right to the point. This book could have easily been hundreds of pages, but Jared focuses on the main issues and presents the issue clearly, leaving the application to the reader.
There is much more that could have been said, and many more cows that could have been listed, every church or group will have their individual struggles, this is a good over view and 30,000 foot view of the issues that face many churches. Too long we have had the worship wars, battled over being fed and pressured Pastors to be better, churches to get bigger and things to be more professional and not focused on God and giving Him the praise. Jared puts the focus where the focus belongs.
This book won't solve all your church's issue, but this is a great spot to begin. I would recommend getting this book for your entire leadership team and going over each chapter together and fleshing it out for your individual context. It will be a blessing to open up and making sure you keep the focus where it belongs. I do wish Jared would have unpacked some of the issues a little more, there could have been so much more written. I understand why he left it the way that he did and didn't get too deep into it. The issue is that things need to change, and it wasn't Jared's focus on what exactly that change needs to look like. Maybe he will write that in another book.
In any way, check it out. You can head over to Jared's blog and get all the info. http://jaredmoore.exaltchrist.com/10-sacred-cows-in-christianity-that-need-to-be-tipped/. It's pretty short, it's good stuff and I think you'll agree with it.
There is much more that could have been said, and many more cows that could have been listed, every church or group will have their individual struggles, this is a good over view and 30,000 foot view of the issues that face many churches. Too long we have had the worship wars, battled over being fed and pressured Pastors to be better, churches to get bigger and things to be more professional and not focused on God and giving Him the praise. Jared puts the focus where the focus belongs.
This book won't solve all your church's issue, but this is a great spot to begin. I would recommend getting this book for your entire leadership team and going over each chapter together and fleshing it out for your individual context. It will be a blessing to open up and making sure you keep the focus where it belongs. I do wish Jared would have unpacked some of the issues a little more, there could have been so much more written. I understand why he left it the way that he did and didn't get too deep into it. The issue is that things need to change, and it wasn't Jared's focus on what exactly that change needs to look like. Maybe he will write that in another book.
In any way, check it out. You can head over to Jared's blog and get all the info. http://jaredmoore.exaltchrist.com/10-sacred-cows-in-christianity-that-need-to-be-tipped/. It's pretty short, it's good stuff and I think you'll agree with it.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
What's your Worth?
If you had to give yourself a price, to value yourself what would you say? I know that as I wake up and look at myself in the mirror, I would value myself as an item at the dollar store. I am pretty average, I've experienced a lot of rejection, I have been blessed with some great things, so I'm not all bad, but I'm nothing special either. Just a guy in a sea of people. The last year or so I've been through some things that make me feel like I'm not really that important, and I can just be tossed aside.
Our world values certain things. You need to accomplish and produce, you need to look a certain way and act a certain way and dress a certain way. I have actually had people critique me on the way I look and the way I dress, because the world is focused on the things on the outside. To put it another way, the world is self-seeking. People want to know what you can do for them, if you can make them happy. If you are nice to look at or get the things done that they want accomplished, then you have worth.
So what is the basis of worth? What gives a person value? Is it social or economic contribution? Is it performance and production? Maybe it's beauty or talent or skill. The reality is that none of these things are yours without them being endowed upon you by God. God made you, gave you the looks, brains, talents and abilities you possess. God created you for the works that He prepared before hand. Now the world will put a value on the works or the tasks, but God thinks they are important. He created you for those things He's called you to do.
Today, I am not going to focus on what the world thinks I'm worth. I am not going to worry about the rejection, the hurt and the criticism of the world because I have a job to do. I don't have extra time and energy trying to please the people who can never be pleased. I can't spend my time trying to give to those who will never get enough. I have work to do, I have a job that has been given to me by God. It may not have a cool title, I may not have a nice office or wear a suit and make a big salary, but those are worldly things. Those don't last and really carry no reward. Live your calling, stop worrying about your worth. It's God's job to give you value, and He has valued you beyond all creation. Let's just live.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
My Conviction on Leadership and challenge
I have been learning about leadership for the last 10 years in the church culture. I have taken classes, watched podcasts, heard lectures and speeches, read books and heard it talked about ad nauseum by individuals who believe leadership is next to Godliness. I have come to the conclusion that leadership is a great thing that often becomes an idol. Here is what led to that opinion.
Biblical leadership is not glamours. It's hanging out with people while speaking truth, but not really being anyone important. It's helping and serving and washing nasty feet. It is without title or position or recognition. It's simply doing the will of the Father in front of others. It's following in the first position, following God and having others follow you as you follow God. You don't get to make the rules, pick the direction, make the vision or the purpose. You simply follow the Father. Sometimes you have no place to lay your head. Sometimes you are without honor among your home town. Sometimes the followers abandon you and those in charge throw you to the dogs.
Biblical leadership is not always by the book. Sometimes you are a king or a fisherman or a religious leader, a traitor or a kid or a carpenter from a hick town. Sometimes you are a respectable person in a place that is disrespectful, sometimes you are a disrespectful person suddenly respected. You are seldom if ever up for the challenge, you don't have a resume and you are seldom prepared lest you take the glory for yourself. You may be rejected, dejected, even ejected. Man rejects you but the Spirit empowers you. You are definitely not on the cover of Time or Forbes and not on the top 100 of anything. Those are the people God uses.
Today in the church, however, I see something different. It's a model that didn't come from the Bible, it came from the cooperate, secular world, the government and from the private sector. It's the idea of being in the top chair and commanding the troops beneath you. It's being out in front leading the pack. It's casting vision, sharing purpose, writing strategic plans and doing what you think is best. It takes charisma, personality, charm and guts. You have to be smart and tough and sometimes mean when needed. It helps to look good, have nice clothes and smell good, have a good smile and a good looking spouse. You are measured on your success and how big your office is, your library, your vocabulary, your education and your congregation are. You have more Bs than anyone else (bucks, Baptisms and bodies in the pew) and you are on the radio, television, news stands and best seller lists. You can sell a ketchup Popsicle to a woman in white gloves and Eskimos are lined up to buy ice cubes.
So, here is my challenge, my call, my conviction and my invitation. Lets be Biblical Leaders. Toss out the purpose and vision and mission statements you painfully crafted, because Jesus already gave them. Give up the lead seat and give it to Jesus. Don't just say you follow the Bible but then make decisions based on your judgement or your experience or your great ideas. The Bible tells us how to do church, so why do we constantly reinvent and reevaluate. We strive for and fight for and work for leadership, let God choose His leaders. We become leaders and we stop following, we stop learning, we stop being accountable.
Will you be happy if God takes away your title, your position, your income and your congregation and you are in a tent somewhere sharing with tribal people? Will you be content if your ministry becomes to those who have nothing and no one and no way to thank you? Will you be ok if you are not admired, respected or even listened too? Are we willing to be Biblical leaders even if it means being led into captivity, tending sheep for 40 years or being beaten and pelted with rocks?
It's time to lead out of our lack and lead as we follow. I am willing to be the last and the least because Jesus tells me that is what is required. I am willing to be a nobody like a small child that no one pays attention too, speaks too or reads his blog. I am willing to become less and let Christ become more. It won't be easy, it contradicts everything my prideful human flesh tells me to do. It has been something I have given lip service to in the past and said "ya, I'm humble and willing to be nobody" but I am not sure my life can give testimony to that. It's time to be authentic and walk the talk instead of just talking a good show and acting like a company man. I want to be a new man instead. Care to join me?
Biblical leadership is not glamours. It's hanging out with people while speaking truth, but not really being anyone important. It's helping and serving and washing nasty feet. It is without title or position or recognition. It's simply doing the will of the Father in front of others. It's following in the first position, following God and having others follow you as you follow God. You don't get to make the rules, pick the direction, make the vision or the purpose. You simply follow the Father. Sometimes you have no place to lay your head. Sometimes you are without honor among your home town. Sometimes the followers abandon you and those in charge throw you to the dogs.
Biblical leadership is not always by the book. Sometimes you are a king or a fisherman or a religious leader, a traitor or a kid or a carpenter from a hick town. Sometimes you are a respectable person in a place that is disrespectful, sometimes you are a disrespectful person suddenly respected. You are seldom if ever up for the challenge, you don't have a resume and you are seldom prepared lest you take the glory for yourself. You may be rejected, dejected, even ejected. Man rejects you but the Spirit empowers you. You are definitely not on the cover of Time or Forbes and not on the top 100 of anything. Those are the people God uses.
Today in the church, however, I see something different. It's a model that didn't come from the Bible, it came from the cooperate, secular world, the government and from the private sector. It's the idea of being in the top chair and commanding the troops beneath you. It's being out in front leading the pack. It's casting vision, sharing purpose, writing strategic plans and doing what you think is best. It takes charisma, personality, charm and guts. You have to be smart and tough and sometimes mean when needed. It helps to look good, have nice clothes and smell good, have a good smile and a good looking spouse. You are measured on your success and how big your office is, your library, your vocabulary, your education and your congregation are. You have more Bs than anyone else (bucks, Baptisms and bodies in the pew) and you are on the radio, television, news stands and best seller lists. You can sell a ketchup Popsicle to a woman in white gloves and Eskimos are lined up to buy ice cubes.
So, here is my challenge, my call, my conviction and my invitation. Lets be Biblical Leaders. Toss out the purpose and vision and mission statements you painfully crafted, because Jesus already gave them. Give up the lead seat and give it to Jesus. Don't just say you follow the Bible but then make decisions based on your judgement or your experience or your great ideas. The Bible tells us how to do church, so why do we constantly reinvent and reevaluate. We strive for and fight for and work for leadership, let God choose His leaders. We become leaders and we stop following, we stop learning, we stop being accountable.
Will you be happy if God takes away your title, your position, your income and your congregation and you are in a tent somewhere sharing with tribal people? Will you be content if your ministry becomes to those who have nothing and no one and no way to thank you? Will you be ok if you are not admired, respected or even listened too? Are we willing to be Biblical leaders even if it means being led into captivity, tending sheep for 40 years or being beaten and pelted with rocks?
It's time to lead out of our lack and lead as we follow. I am willing to be the last and the least because Jesus tells me that is what is required. I am willing to be a nobody like a small child that no one pays attention too, speaks too or reads his blog. I am willing to become less and let Christ become more. It won't be easy, it contradicts everything my prideful human flesh tells me to do. It has been something I have given lip service to in the past and said "ya, I'm humble and willing to be nobody" but I am not sure my life can give testimony to that. It's time to be authentic and walk the talk instead of just talking a good show and acting like a company man. I want to be a new man instead. Care to join me?
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