THE CHURCH

Leadership in the Christian world has to focus on the church. We are all part of the body of Christ—the church. When we speak of Christian leadership, whether it is in the church or in the business/political field, we are talking about a relationship with the church. It is not a small subset of our relationship with God. It is the key to our life in Christ. Let’s look at it from three angels.

First, the church is a community of people. It is not a building. We are called the family of God with core values of love, loyalty, and mutual support. Life in a family revolves around caring for the weakest person, normally the baby. Perhaps our experience of church would be much fuller if we focused on raising new—baby—Christians into mature family members rather then being so concerned about ME and what I need in my life. What we all get from membership in this community or family is security. We can feel safe and protected.

Second, the church is a cause. Paul talks about soldiers and we talk of the army of God. We are told in Ephesians 6 to put on the armor of God, most definitely warrior attire. We have wars to fight, prisoners to take, enemies to be conquered and prisoners to be rescued. The core value for us, as an army, is winning the war or furthering the cause. The key person is the one most highly committed to the cause. You become a part of the army by volunteering and the leave through martyrdom or the end of the war. From these battles we obtain glory and reward from the Lord.

Third, the church is a corporation exemplified by the fact that it is an institution. The value in this third angle is managing itself efficiently and effectively, so we can go on in history. This corporate part of the church assures that we are able to do things together. Plans are made. Budgets are set. Calendars and spreadsheets help us work together. The most productive person becomes the key. With the gifting of administration there is an assurance that everything is done in good order.
(1 Cor 14: 40)

The church is a union of all three of these angles or perhaps circles is better. They must intersect for the church to be truly fruitful. If we ignore the CORPORATE side of things we do not plan or budget well. We start to “build” and run out of money or energy. Often time there is no structure that allows for the body to care for itself. Without the CAUSE we become ingrown and introspective—navel gazers. There is nothing to cause the adrenaline to flow. There is nothing outside of ourselves. Ignoring COMMUNITY leads us into a life that is not family-like. It is simply another project to get done. We don’t care about the young ones amongst us and we certainly aren’t going to give ourselves to each other.

We—the church—needs leadership in all three areas. There may be an overall leader that is weak in two of the three circles but if he is truly God’s leader he will build a team around him and work with them in areas of his deficiency. You and I need to understand our gifting and what our purpose is work in that area with the comfort of knowing the shepherd has put us there. The more we understand these three spheres of church life the more effective we will be as a church and as leaders.

FOR YOUR JOURNAL

1. What are you gifts? In which area are your gifts best suited?
2. How can you use your gifts to support those around with different gifts?
3. Explain, in your current situation, which area is the weakest and which is the strongest.

LEARNING

One of the difficulties of using books for discipleship is that we move too fast. For growth to take place in our lives we have to process, in some form, the material we are considering over a period of time. I remember taking a course on how adults learn in graduate school. The statement was made that an adult had to encounter something 52 times before it became a part of them. That could be in writing, art, listening, reading or any combination of these. In addition it is said that it takes 4 to 6 weeks of consistent "doing" before an action becomes a habit.

Discipleship (learning, being a student) during the time of Jesus would have been the standard way of life. Beginning about 6 years of age, and continuing until they were ten, they new the Torah (first 5 books of our Bible) by heart. Their goal was not just to know the Torah but to live their lives according to it. If it was God’s word and “tasted like honey on the lips” it was something that should impact their whole life. Rob Bell, in Velvet Elvis, makes the point that it seems like everyone in Jesus’ time new the Scriptures. This is why. After the age of ten, if they were gifted, they would continue to work with the Rabbi of the village. They would memorize the other books of the Old Testament, study the traditions, consider other Rabbi’s teachings, and, interestingly, study how to ask questions. We cannot, nor should we, duplicate exactly the methods used 2000 years ago but we need to learn that discipleship takes time. You will need to take time. You will be pursuing the most important relationship you will ever have and you will need to take time.

The dilemma is that most readers will finish this book in less than 30 days, if it is any good (and if it is ever published). The needed changes that you will discover about yourself cannot take place in 30 days. In the FOR YOUR JOURNAL section of the last chapter I had you choose one thing to develop in your personality. If you are “normal” you will have discovered a long list of changes that need to be accomplished. How do we do this? How do we MOVE THE MOUNTAIN THAT WE ARE to become what God has for us?

If you are really serious about becoming all God has for you, find someone who will pastor /mentor /coach you through this process. This should be someone you respect and can submit your life to, fully. You should expect to pursue this relationship rather than depend on them to pursue you. Take the initiative. If there is no one older and more mature you could do this with a friend. It will probably be more difficult and slower and each of you would have to be committed to the process.

Do not try and do too many things at the same time. Your list of needed changes could be substantial. Work on one thing at a time or you will get discouraged. Work on it faithfully until you and the person you are working with see a change. Once this change has begun you can start on another item, remembering not to forget the previous. I read in one place where a writer wanted to add a number of good habits to her life. She decided to commit to doing one each month rather than start the year out trying to do all of them. One is possible, but 12 are overwhelming. In some cases a single change in our lives will impact many areas of our lives. Generally, though, I think you will see a process of exploring and learning what that single change means. When I became a Christian many things changed. One of the interesting things, for me, was that my language changed. My use of certain words, over time, disappeared without me intentionally trying to change. At the same time my circle of friends changed. Again, this was not intentional. No decision or change that we make is done in a vacuum. Be prepared.

Use your journal. Go back over your answers to the questions and re-read them on a regular basis. Add to your journal your successes and your failures. Don't get bogged down with the failures. They are learning experiences we need to embrace, to learn from and to move beyond.

Pray. Pray for God's help as you allow him to make you into the leader that He wants you to be. Remember it will not be like someone else. You are unique and God's plan for you is unique. Our goal is to help you find and succeed in that plan for your life.

Look for opportunities to apply what you are working on now. If you are trying to listen more, put yourself in situations where you are doing this. Be intentional. If you are going to a meeting where you, usually, do most of the talking, plan on doing more listening. If someone asks you why the change simply answer that you are trying to understand and do not focus on what you are trying to do in your life in your answer. If you are shy and withdrawn go to places where there are people and begin talking. It is almost always safe to ask about their lives. Obviously, the depth of questions has to do with the depth of the relationship. Want to be more of a servant--clean the bathroom. Again. Again. Do it until your heart is serving not just your hands.

This process is one only you can do. No one can do it for you. It will take time and work and patience. If you are faithful and persistent you will impact God's kingdom. In your corner of His world you will make a difference.

FOR YOUR JOURNAL

• Write about some changes you tried to accomplish in the past but did not and why you think you failed.
• Why are you reading this book?
• Assuming you want to become the person God wants you to be, what steps are you going to take to allow this to happen? (Hint: It will not happen through osmosis!)

Personality

That which makes you different from everyone else is your personality. (Identical twins may look exactly alike but their personalities will differ.) Peter, Paul, and the apostles, are worth considering briefly. They were men who would greatly influence the course of history and had very different personalities.

If you remember, Peter was a fisherman who walked away from the family business to follow Jesus. For three years he learned from the Master. Probably not educated, he still had a great understanding of the Scriptures. (Check his Pentecost message in Acts 2.) He was quick to proclaim Jesus as the "Christ, son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16) He spoke when he probably should have kept quiet on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-6). People have said he was impetuous. Then, at the crucifixion he denies he knows Jesus — three times. And yet, he seeks, and receives forgiveness and becomes a primary leader of the new social network boldly proclaiming the Gospel on Pentecost. He travels the empire proclaiming the message eventually residing in Rome where he is finally executed with his wife and others.

Paul, if you recall, was a well educated man. He studied with the Pharisee, Gameliel. He was passionate about his Jewish faith. He wasn't satisfied just to see the Christians in Jerusalem persecuted and eradicated (Acts 8:3). He asked for letters that gave him permission to pursue the Christians into the Diaspora (those areas outside of Israel where Jews lived) (Acts 9:1, 2). He watched and guarded the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen, the first martyr of the church. He was persistent, passionate and committed. He would destroy this new sect. With his heart made up and with full authority he headed for Damascus. A lightning bolt, a voice, and he was changed. The things that made him a good Pharisee became the things that made him a great apostle. His persistence became 3 missionary journeys. His passion focused on "the way, the truth, and the life." The world needed to know this good news and he would see that they did. Painfully hard at times (1 Cor.) he was yet compassionate and pastoral when we consider his letters to Timothy.

You are not Peter and you are not Paul. And you should not be. You are unique. No one in the world is quite like you both in appearance and in personality. You were created by God in a certain way for a certain purpose. We are all made in the image of God and yet each of us is different. Personality is just one of the ways in which we differ from one another. A short search on the web brings all kinds of definitions and tests. While you can’t trust everything you read, I recommend you try a test or two. They may indicate something about your personality type you hadn't seen before. These are imperfect methods and not definitive but tools that can be useful when well used.

Though personality tends to be consistent throughout our lives, we can modify, I believe, some of the traits. If considered an introvert it is possible to learn how to be more social and effective in social settings. If I am a “glass half-empty” type person I can begin to see the “half-full” glass. If I am the strong, silent type I can learn to become more sensitive and talkative. You may remain more comfortable in your original “package” but to serve God’s people better it may be necessary to adjust and reshape some “natural” tendencies.

If you are an introvert and want to work on becoming more outgoing, you can do so. You can interact and meet new people bringing them into our relationships. While some people may look at you and think you are really outgoing, you will probably have times when it is necessary to get alone and just be by yourself. Personal time becomes very important. You need that time to keep a sense of balance in your life. For the extravert just the opposite happens. You may love being with people and can’t think of anywhere else you would want to be. An extravert is great at attracting people and getting people to know one another. It is important, though, for you to work harder at getting time alone with God and being quiet in front of the Creator. Begin to practice listening to people and being quiet and still. Even if this is mastered you will still need to be among people sometimes just because it is innate to your personality and is where you find strength.

For your journal

• What are some of your personality traits? If you took one or more of the tests include the results. Ask some close friends what they think your traits are and include them in your list.

• Explain which and why certain traits you may or may not have helped you as you walk into your leadership.

• Write out (and ask someone to hold you accountable) one thing you are going to do to try and modify a trait that needs to be changed.