Spiritual Leadership 101

While all Christians are called to be ministers of reconciliation: reconciling the lost to God by Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18), ministers of Jesus Christ are chosen and ordained of God to minister unto our Lord Jesus Christ globally, regionally or locally. "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:16). There are five offices of the ministers of Jesus Christ: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). These offices have traditionally been called the "five-fold ministry."

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mark 1:16-20)

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:1, 5-8)

As we see in the scriptures above, the "first" call of God is to come to Jesus—to enter into an intimate relationship with God through his Word. Once sufficiently indoctrinated in the Word of God such that the disciple can hear the voice of God (John 10:27; John 8:47) and can be led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), the call to ministry, the "second" call—chosen, can then be heeded. "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). The call of God must be accompanied by the power of God and a specific mission; otherwise, "let us wait on our ministering" (Romans 12:7) "until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Moreover, God has to send the minister forth to fulfill the mission.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:1-4)

Notice that Paul, the apostle (1 Corinthians 1:1), when first converted spent upwards of three years building his relationship with the Lord before he took on the full scope of his ministry:

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight ... But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 9:10-12, 15)

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) ... But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. (Galatians 1:1, 15-18)

Those called and sent should focus on fulfilling the purpose of the office to which they are called and not attempting to perform in an office to which they are not called. A man called and ordained as a prophet should not be trying to operate as a pastor. Nor should a man called to be a pastor overextend himself by trying to be an apostle: building multiple churches (entrepreneurs and kings seek to enlarge their territories). The popular practice of "One Church in Two Locations" does not line up with scripture if there is only one elder. "Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock" (Zechariah 11:17)! We have already seen the penalty for going outside of one's calling earlier in this book when we discussed "The Principality of Rebellion" in "Part One: Leaven of the Pharisees." Another example is given in the Bible: Aaron in Exodus 30:7-9 has been charged by God to offer incense; yet his sons, Nadab and Abihu, took upon themselves to do that which they were not called to do. The consequence of their sin was death by fire: "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD" (Leviticus 10:1-2).

Again, the call—the honor to serve God—to a ministry of Jesus Christ is a gift from God (Ephesians 3:7); yet, many have taken this honor unto themselves. "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron" (Hebrews 5:4). There are so many churches that are not operating as churches of God rather churches of men—houses of high places—and so many elders that are not called of God—not chosen: "And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi" (1 Kings 12:31). In other words, graduating from Seminary or Bible College does not mean God has called the person. Many seminaries and Bible colleges teach the adulterated word; not the truth. Many people that graduate from these institutions do not have an intimate relationship with the Lord: they cannot hear his voice nor be led by his Spirit. If anything, they do not know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he sent; they simply know what others (professors, theologians, etc.) have said about God. Jesus accentuates this point in John 15:16, "ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you." "It is easier to serve God without a vision," says Oswald Chambers, "easier to work for God without a call, because then you are not bothered by what God requires; common sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian sentiment."¹⁷²

One final note, there is a popular belief that when someone is called they have to be "under" someone else. That is, if you are called, you need a pastor to "cover" you. Many people will ask, "Who is your covering?" Notice in the scriptures we have already listed in this section that the call comes from God, the power comes from God, the mission comes from God, and the "go" comes from God. Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the "covering" for men. Thus, when a man inserts another person between himself and Christ, he dishonors Christ who is his head. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head" (1 Corinthians 11:3-4). As stressed by Paul above, "an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead." Thus this popular belief is erroneous as it applies to men; however, it does have applicability when applied to women (see "What's a Woman to do?").

LEADERSHIP BASICS

Christian leaders, like Jesus, are proactive not reactive. Through prayer, fasting, study and obedience to God's Word, they act first: they lead or prepare the way. They are to be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). Christian leaders have to be wary not to abdicate their role to others (congregation, other church leaders, spouses, etc.). Notice, abdication was one of Adam's two sins in the Garden of Eden: "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life" (Genesis 3:17).

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:3-10)

Christian leaders must first and foremost serve the Lord not themselves or others. "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). It is only by serving the Lord can they "be servant of all" (Mark 10:44). They must "be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 1:8). To embrace abdication is to embrace "The Principality of Idolatry" and the spirit of Ahab. The sin of abdication is backed by an evil spirit named after king Ahab who abdicated his authority as king to his wife Jezebel. The objective of this spirit is to cause mankind to abdicate their God given authority to others: to evade responsibility by relinquishing control. Abdication is often done in an attempt to placate or please others over pleasing God. "But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel" (1 Kings 21:25-26).

I believe that success is within the reach of just about everyone. But I also believe that personal success without leadership ability brings only limited effectiveness. A person's impact is only a fraction of what it could be with good leadership. The higher you want to climb, the more you need leadership. The greater the impact you want to make, the greater your influence needs to be. Whatever you will accomplish is restricted by your ability to lead others.¹⁷³

The Most Important Work

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (1 Timothy 3:1)

Paul urges us to the work of leading the church, the most important work in the world. When our motives are right, this work pays eternal dividends. In Paul's day, only a deep love for Christ and genuine concern for the church could motivate people to lead. But in many cultures today where Christian leadership carries prestige and privilege, people aspire to leadership for reasons quit unworthy and self-seeking ... But Jesus taught that ambition that centers on the self is wrong ... Ambition that centers on the glory of God and welfare of the church is a mighty force for good¹⁷⁴

Master Principle

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (Matthew 23:11)

At the outset of any study of spiritual leadership, this master principle must be squarely faced: True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost. Often it comes with a painful baptism of suffering. But the true spiritual leader is focused on the service he and she can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office or holy title. We must aim to put more into life than we take out¹⁷⁵

Search for Them

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him ... (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Real leaders are in short supply. Constantly people and groups search for them. Throughout the Bible, God searches for leaders, too ... The Bible shows us that when God does find a person who is ready to lead, to commit to full discipleship and take on responsibility for others, that person is used to the limit. Such leaders still have shortcomings and flaws, but despite them, they become spiritual leaders. Such were Moses, Gideon, and David¹⁷⁶

Characteristics

These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Timothy 4:11-16)

To be a leader in the church has always required strength and faith beyond the merely human ... If the world is to hear the church's voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial. Authoritative, because people desire leaders who know where they are going and are confident of getting there. Spiritual, because without a strong relationship to God, even the most attractive and competent person cannot lead people to God. Sacrificial, because this follows the model of Jesus, who gave himself for the whole world and who calls us to follow in His steps.

Churches grow in every way when they are guided by strong spiritual leaders with the touch of the supernatural radiating in their service. The church sinks into confusion and malaise without such leadership. Today those who preach with majesty and spiritual power are few, and the booming voice of the church has become a pathetic whisper. Leaders today—those who are truly spiritual—must pass on the torch to younger people as a first-line duty.¹⁷⁷

Qualified

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Many people regard leaders as naturally gifted with intellect, personal forcefulness, and enthusiasm. Such qualities certainly enhance leadership potential, but they do not define the spiritual leader. True leaders must be willing to suffer for the sake of the objectives great enough to demand their wholehearted obedience.

Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or churchly assemblies. God alone makes them. One does not become a spiritual leader by merely filling an office, taking course work in the subject, or resolving in one's own will to do this task. A person must qualify to be a spiritual leader. ¹⁷⁷

Promotion

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. (Psalm 75:6-7)

Often truly authoritative leadership falls on someone who years earlier sought to practice the discipline of seeking first the kingdom of God. Then, as that person matures, God confers a leadership role, and the Spirit of God goes to work through him. When God's searching eye finds a person qualified to lead, God anoints that person with the Holy [Ghost] and calls him or her to a special ministry (Acts 9:17; 22:21).¹⁷⁷,¹⁷⁸

Sacrifice

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)

Samuel Brengle, a gifted leader who served for many years in the Salvation Army, outlined the road to spiritual authority and leadership:

It is not won by promotion, but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, and much heartsearching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold uncomplaining embrace of the cross, and by an eternal, unfaltering looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us a loss for Christ. This is a great price, but it must be paid by the leader who would not be merely a nominal but a real spiritual leader of men, a leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth, and in hell.¹⁷⁹

God wants to show such people how strong He really is (2 Chronicles 16:9). But not all who aspire to leadership are willing to pay such a high personal price. Yet there is no compromise here: in the secret reaches of the heart this price is paid, before any public office or honor. Our Lord made clear to James and John that high position in the kingdom of God is reserved for those whose hearts—even the secret places where none else probes—are qualified. God's sovereign searching of our hearts, and then His call to leadership, are awesome to behold. And they make a person very humble.¹⁷⁸

Warning

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30)

One last thing must be said, a kind of warning. If those who hold influence over others fail to lead toward the spiritual uplands, then surely the path to the lowlands will be well worn. People travel together; no one lives detached and alone.¹⁷⁸

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