The Stakes of Leadership

The Stakes of Leadership is an article that looks at the importance of leadership in the local church. After all, the local church is the hope of the world.

The Stakes of Leadership

When disaster strikes, humanity pulls together to help with wonderful, loving and charitable acts. This was plain for everyone to see when the terrorists brought down the twin towers in New York.

Humanitarian groups and corporations set to work to help in any way they could at the time. At Ground Zero, the Red Cross handed out work gloves, breathing masks, fresh socks and clean boots. Restaurants brought along barbecues and cooked free food for rescue workers. Soft drink manufacturers gave away free beverages. Other groups set up trusts funds for the families of the victims. Money poured in from everywhere.

"But work of a deeper kind was happening behind the scenes in downtown Manhattan during those days. While many pastors and church volunteers joined with charitable agencies in helping to meet physical and material needs, they also went beyond that-far beyond that."

"Ordinary Christ-followers like you and me sat in restaurants, office buildings and temporary shelters, addressing with courage and sensitivity the deep concerns of the soul. Meeting one-to-one and in small groups, they cried with people. They prayed with people. They listened. They embraced. They soothed."

"While many fine organizations met the external needs of people, the church was there to do what it is uniquely equipped to do: to offer healing to deeply wounded souls." (Hybels, Courageous Leadership, p. 16).

As Hybels said, "The church has a unique mission to fulfill on planet Earth, and that the future of our society depends, largely, on whether or not church leaders understand that mission and mobilize their congregations accordingly."

1. The Beauty of the Church

Acts 2 reminds us of the beauty of the church. There was a community of Christian who were so totally devoted to God that their lives together was charged with the Spirit's power. These Christians loved each other with a radical kind of love. They took off their masks and shared their lives with one another. They prayed together. They shared God's word together. They say together and served together in authentic Christian fellowship.

This church offered unbelievers a vision of life that was so beautiful that the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47).

2. The Power of the Church

One major facet of the beauty of the local church is its power to transform the human heart. Never underestimate the power of the local church to bring people to God in order for their lives to be radically transformed.

Businessmen may offer you work. An educator may give you knowledge. Self-help programs may offer techniques to change your behavior. Psychology may help you understand your emotions. But none can truly transform your heart.

The church is place where leaders can lead you to the One who can transform your heart, heal your wounded soul, turn your hatred into love, bring about repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. Only God can do that in your life. And God uses the local church and its leaders to be part of this transforming work.

3. The Potential of the Church

When the difficults of life over take you, the local church is a place where you can find sanctuary, help and encouragement. When the local church is working right, there is nothing like it. It's potential is unlimited. The church is a place where bridges are build to reach out to the seekers in order to offer them truth in a very confused world. The local church is place to comfort the grieving and heal the broken hearted in the context of community.

4. The Vitality of the Church

Flourishing or failing? What makes the differences? Why do some churches flourish and other fail? Is it location? Is it a lack of great preaching? Is it associated with denominations?

What flourishing churches have in common is that they are led by people who possess and deploy the spiritual gift of leadership. Where humble and prayerful leaders are providing vision, strategy and inspiration, you will find entire congregation bearing fruit abundantly."

5. Leadership 101

Behind the scenes of every prevailing ministry are courageous, servant-oriented leaders. The local church is the hope of the world and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.

What's at stake when it comes to leadership? THE LOCAL CHURCH and its vitality!

For more information about this subject, click on the stakes of leadership.

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