Healthy ministries and leaders should reflect the values Jesus modeled. It takes frequent examination and a concerted effort to be sure we are not veering from the path of grace, humility and servanthood.
Churches or ministers promising wealth and success or providing formulas for achieving an idyllic life with a practically perfect family should hold no allure for us. Jesus said we would have trouble in this world and warned of the difficulties of being rich.
Sadly, we can see in the past 20 years a number of ministers and ministries way off course. These problems can be avoided.
Authentic, effective leaders recognize their own fallibility and appreciate being held accountable by a board or session or other group. They understand that the Holy Spirit does not reserve special knowledge for a select few, but imparts Scriptural discernment to all Christians who seek it. Building a church or ministry around one or two charismatic human beings would be an obvious mistake in their eyes. These leaders know that living a lavish lifestyle is contrary to what God would desire. They are more interested in serving than being served, and their objective is pointing people to the words of Jesus.
“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” Mark 9:33-35
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’” John 11:25-26a
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel wrapped around him.
“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’” John 13:3-5, 12-15
Robust ministries result when people are guided to understand salvation by grace through faith in Christ and are taught to study the whole of the Bible as each part would have been intended to its original audience by humble leaders who live a lifestyle of servanthood. It would be a mistake to put any person on a pedestal or to believe they are above accountability.
Local News
Comments / 0