Leadership

I will be the first to admit that I struggle to wait. As a child of twenty-first century American culture, I like fast food, fast vehicles, and fast spirituality. In fact, I am ashamed to admit that, when my internet connection slowed this week to a crawl, I more than once screamed in frustration. No, waiting is not easy. Yet, waiting on the Lord accomplishes three things in me.

Indeed, everything revealed in Scripture about Deborah indicates she was the ideal, anointed leader in an age when such leaders were extremely rare. Clearly, her leadership focus was in the civil arena, but her inclusion among Israel’s judges as a prophetess, judge, commander-in-chief, and model of righteousness is compelling evidence that women can and should preach, teach, and lead.[16]

We have no idea where Simon was by that time, but Simon’s legacy of faith and ministry lived on in his children, the eminent apostle, the churches that were planted as a result, and ultimately in us. And it all went back to that moment when Simon picked up Jesus’ cross and carried it for awhile.

Colossians 1:28-29 served as the what, why, and how for his work as an apostle, helping to guide what he would (and would not) do, reminding him of its importance when things grew difficult, and explaining how it was even possible. Today, this declaration serves a similar purpose for pastors and other ministers.

The differences between contentment and complacency are subtle but profound. As Christians, contentment is key to experiencing new and abundant life, but complacency must be avoided at all costs. This side of glory, we must always recognize that we are not there yet and make every effort to reach our goal. This means forgetting what is behind, both failures and successes, reaching forward, and pursuing Jesus with everything we have.

People of the world – those who do not claim to believe in Jesus and are making no effort to follow him – are going to act in immoral ways because they do not know any better. We should expect no different, and so we should not flinch when someone tells us they prefer another pronoun. Rather, we should honor that preference in order to build a relationship with that person, so that we can share the gospel with them, so that they may eventually place their faith in Jesus and believered from all their sin.

In A Church Called Tov, Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer respond to the proliferation of high-profile church scandals by examining the factors which steer church cultures toward toxicity or health. Built upon the assumption that the Church is intended to be an agent for tov, the Hebrew word for “good!”, they first consider some of the warning signs that a church is heading in the wrong direction and then outline the seven foundational elements of a tov culture.

I cannot tell you how many times I have needed one or more of the lessons that Benaiah was given to teach. The fact is, I have contented myself to do nothing when, if my church is to see ongoing revitalization, I must be the lead doer. I have allowed myself to be paralyzed by the wrong perspective. I have fallen into the trap of focusing on what I do not have at my disposal. And I have wrestled with the temptation of pride. Indeed, this may be the most insidious temptation for any revitalizing leader: it manifests in the spotlight as bravado, and in the shadows as resentment. May we look always for revitalizing leaders to demonstrate these characteristics, and more, may we strive always to realize them in ourselves!

Abishai may be overshadowed in the Bible by his brother and uncle, but his loyalty and leadership were instrumental in David’s rise to power in the wake of Saul’s death and return to power in the aftermath of Absalom’s insurrection. Time and again, he delivered results, demonstrated boldness, and leaned into the team. When leading revitalization, each of these things is absolutely essential. Revitalizing leaders must, therefore, learn from Abishai and endeavor to strive after him in their own ministries.

The story of Gideon bears many lessons for those who would lead revitalization. Some of them are positive, and some are negative. As we seek to recruit and be leaders for the wave of revitalization that must happen in the North American Church, we must heed these lessons.