The Two Signs Of Great Leadership

The most significant discovery unearthed by the leadership literature of the past twenty years is that two signs indicate successful leadership: improving relationships, and the improving stories that are spawned by the improving relationships. Interestingly, these signs of successful leadership constitute two of the three “signs of the Spirit” that were so central to early Christianity.

The early church touted three tests of authenticity, or as it called them, “signs of the Spirit.” First, and the one missing from the leadership literature of the past twenty years, is the Lordship of Christ and the centrality of an apostolic witness.14 For the Christian, everything else pales by comparison to the preeminence of Christ.

The second sign of the Spirit consisted of manifestations in the life of Christians of “fruit of the Spirit.”15 James exhorts us to “humbly accept the word planted in you.”16 The Word of God bears fruit, not when it is comprehended, but when it is lived—implanted and transplanted. And the fruit of the Spirit is proven in relationships. When relationships get worse, things go bad. When relationships get better, things improve. This is true in the corporate world17 just as it holds true when Christians relate to one another in the church.

The third sign of the Spirit was the usefulness of spiritual manifestations to the churches.18 In other words, when relationships get better, there are stories to back up the improving relationships. Relationships, not numbers, show if growth is biblical, healthy, and truly fruitful. Perhaps it’s time to declare a moratorium on statistics in the church. What if the only thing we reported was the answer to this question: “Is spiritual fruit in evidence in your church? Give me the stories, not more statistics.” My dream for the church? God’s people telling more God stories than golf stories. An authentic Great Awakening is when people can’t stop talking about what God is doing.

Leonard Sweet, "What Matters Most"

Greek Hebrew Latin Belong At Foot Of The Cross

"Scriptures are given to lead us to holiness and to Christ, it doesn't mean that we are to set aside our intellect and understand them neither does it mean that those who are interested in learning more about scripture are to forsake study of the text and its original language. These things can be helpful but they must be done while leading us toward holiness, not toward intellectual snobbery, and certainly not in a way that reinforces and elitist hermeneutic. David Alan black puts it best:

'Greek, Hebrew, and Latin all have their proper place. But it is not at the head of the Cross, where Pilate put them, but at the foot of the cross, in humble service to Christ.'"

- Dr. Les Hardin. The spirituality of Paul. Pg 34

Quoting David Alan black. "Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A practical guide for students and pastors. (Grand Rapids.v Baker, 1993), page 21.

No Vision!

"A denominational executive always asks his clergy, “So, what’s your vision?” When he saw me one day in an elevator, we chatted and sure enough, “So, Sweet, what’s your vision?” I replied, “Sir, I don’t have a vision.” He was incredulous: “What! How can you possibly say that? You must have a vision. Aren’t you one of the church’s visionaries? You‘re a leader, aren’t you?”

“No, Bishop. I’m not a leader. I’m a follower. I’m following a vision, but it’s not my vision. The vision is Jesus. I grew up singing a hymn I take literally: ‘Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of my life.”

- Nudge. Leonard Sweet 

Sermons Without Ambiguity

"Sermons give the mistaken idea that there is a well-crafted answer to every question, but that’s only because we set up the question to fit our answers. The sermons can unwittingly intimidate people from engaging others with real questions because real conversations don’t happen in outline form."

- Wayne Jacobsen. Beyond Sundays 

Sermons Limited?

"So, I’m not saying that sermons have no value, only that the value is limited. They can provide valuable information and inspiration, but their impact on spiritual transformation is fairly weak, and all the more so as people get used to hearing the same voice each week. They may find it informative, inspirational, even entertaining, but at the end of the day it cannot show them how to live. For that they need a more mature friend with whom they can share their experiences, questions, and even doubts as they explore their own connection to God. Listening to sermons, even taking notes and trying to live out the application, is probably the worst way to discover how to live inside the love of the Father and to follow him. I’m convinced that ninety percent of teaching and preaching occurs in a conversation where questions are being asked, doubts considered, and difficult realities contemplated."
- Wayne Jacobsen. Beyond Sundays 

Preaching Too Soon

"Would-be theologians. ... must be on their guard lest by beginning too soon to preach they rather chatter themselves into Christianity then live themselves into it and find themselves at home there."

- Soren Kierkegaard. (Recorded in his Journal, July 11th, 1838) 

Releasing Laity To Be Ministers

"(Andreas) Karlstadt reflected the anti-clerical attitude of the time. He insisted that the pastor communicate with the laity, and he disregard clerical vestments and titles. Lady were endowed with clerical rights such as reading and Proclamation from scripture and celebration of the Lord's Supper in private homes. For the sake of order, in public assembly the chosen Pastor simply exercised such functions for all."

-J. Denny Weaver. Becoming Anabaptist. 2nd Edition. 

Rejecting Infant Baptism.

"His (Andreas Karlstadt) understandings of liturgy, the church, baptism, and the Lord's Supper were based upon what he considered the teachings of the Bible alone. He rejected the Lutheran doctrine of predestination. He rejected infant baptism is a Sacrament, refused to baptize infants, and advocated adult baptism as a sign of Faith. His view of church rejected all hierarchy and emphasize the equality of members. The pastor calling was not to a higher status, but to an office performed only for the sake of order."

- J. Denny Weaver. Becoming Anabaptist. 2nd Edition. 

TOSS YOUR VISION STATEMENT

But our church isn’t immune to the pervasive nature of contemporary Christian leadership theory. Recently, it was proposed that we create a new church vision statement. I begged Christine not to give into the temptation to comply with that.

And I’m begging every pastor to find a better way.

Be our father.

Be our mother.

Herald the Word of God.

Steward the riches of the gospel among us.

Love us. Eat with us. Listen to our stories.

And print this quote by Henri Nouwen and stick it on your refrigerator or the noticeboard in your office. And do what he says:
  

  “More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.”

- Pastoring in a post-Hybels world, by Michael Frost | Aug 10, 2018 |