{"id":29001,"date":"2022-09-23T10:29:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T16:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=29001"},"modified":"2024-09-27T10:01:35","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T16:01:35","slug":"born-to-lead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/born-to-lead\/","title":{"rendered":"Born to Lead"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you a born leader<\/a>?\u00a0 Most people will answer that question with a resounding, \u201cNo!\u201d It seems that even those we hold up as leaders in the church<\/a>, don\u2019t consider themselves to be natural leaders. \u201cGeorge Barna conducted a survey of senior pastors from across various denominations. When asked if they believed they had the spiritual gift of leadership<\/a>, only 6 percent responded yes.\u201d[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

God, however, says all believers are to be leaders<\/a>. \u201cChristian leadership is Christlike influence.\u201d[2] <\/a>Isn\u2019t that exactly what is meant by Paul\u2019s instruction to be ambassadors for Christ? (2 Cor 5:20) How can the majority of us, who do not see ourselves as leadership material, become the leaders God calls us to be? By following Jesus! Because following Jesus is exactly what it means to be a Christian, every believer is called to be a leader!<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”Every believer is called to be a leader! \u2013 Loren Gjesdal” via=”no”]<\/p>\n

Leadership and Boldness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In our culture, leadership carries connotations of self-confidence, personal charisma, and ambition<\/a>. Most people say \u201cno\u201d to leadership either because they don\u2019t see themselves as possessing the requisite boldness or because they lack the ambition to take on the associated responsibilities that seem to come with leadership.<\/p>\n

Scripture calls us to be both bold and ambitious, however. \u201cFor God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline\u201d\u00a0(2 Tim 1:7).<\/p>\n

The difference between the cultural perception of leadership and the Biblical model of leadership (spiritual leadership) is two-fold: purpose and method. Instead of relying on our personal charisma and talent, we make use of God\u2019s power and resources. Instead of achieving personal goals for our own sake, we glorify God by accomplishing His will.<\/p>\n

Boldness through the Power of God<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Paul lays out a bold ambition to be achieved through the power of God for the glory of God in his letter to the Corinthian church: \u201cfor the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.\u00a0We are<\/em> destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are<\/em> taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ\u201d (2 Cor 10:4-5).<\/p>\n

We must boldly lead our own mind and the minds of others to the understanding of, and into obedience to, the will of God.<\/p>\n

Maybe part of the reason we see so much opposition to the knowledge of God and shrinking obedience to His will in our culture today is a lack of leadership in the church. To be an impactful influence in our culture, the church itself will need to be purified, then united, then mobilized\u2014all of which will require clear, strong leadership. \u201cEither we accept God\u2019s invitation to step out and affect our environment, or we become victims of those who are pushing their own agendas.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/p>\n

Surrendered to His Use<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There is a dearth of those willing to step out because to do so invites a cultural backlash. No one debates the need for leaders, but the willing are few. \u201cGod is looking to develop men and women into his divinely empowered instruments to impact today\u2019s culture.\u201d[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

The work of the church will always be God\u2019s work, but He looks for and chooses to use servants who are surrendered to His use. \u201cAuthentic Christian leadership involves a glad willingness to be expended for the spiritual benefit of another.\u201d[5]<\/a><\/p>\n

To be the spiritual leader the church and world need, we simply need to say yes to God\u2019s call and make ourselves available for His use. We do both by pursuing the character of Christ. As the spiritual leader follows Christ, others will be drawn to follow them.<\/p>\n

Spiritual Leaders<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The spiritual leader the church needs, lives to please an audience of one. Nothing could possibly be more satisfying in this life or in all eternity than hearing our Savior say, \u201cWell done!\u201d One of our greatest needs is to live a life of purpose. \u201cThe desire for a feeling of importance is one of the chief distinguishing differences between mankind and the animals.\u201d[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

In Christian leadership we can fulfill this deep need because God has promised us important kingdom roles that carry identity and purpose.<\/p>\n

Leadership in the Church<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Leadership in the church<\/a> isn\u2019t about building an organization, a large budget, or a big structure. It\u2019s about moving people into will of God. To enjoy a life of eternal purpose, a spiritual leader must first care about people just as God does. \u201c\u2026If you want to help others at the same time as you help yourself, keep this principle in mind: become genuinely interested in other people.\u201d[7]<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to George Barna, \u201cThe American church is dying due to a lack of strong leadership.\u00a0 In this time of unprecedented opportunity and plentiful resources, the church is actually losing influence. The primary reason is the lack of leadership. Nothing is more important than leadership.\u201d[8]<\/a><\/p>\n

The Church needs men and women of Christ-like character who have a godly ambition to pursue eternal, kingdom purposes. \u201cClearly if the goal is to achieve fame, recognition, or wealth, then it is selfish and unbecoming. But if their purpose is to invest their one life as wisely as possible for the advancement of God\u2019s purposes on earth, then ambition is a good and useful force\u2026. Would that every Christian were equally ambitious to accomplish God\u2019s purpose for their life!\u201d[9]<\/a><\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”The Church needs men and women of Christ-like character who have a godly ambition to pursue eternal, kingdom purposes. \u2013 Loren Gjesdal” via=”no”]<\/p>\n

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If you are willing to answer the call to be a Spiritual Leader, Artios Christian College is here to equip you!<\/p>\n