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Christian Leadership Thoughts and Teachings

 

Dear Saints,

I call you saints because the word “saint” comes from the Greek word hagios, which means “consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious.” It is almost always used in the plural, “saints.” Biblically speaking, the “saints” are the body of Christ, Christians, and the church. All Christians are considered saints. All Christians are saints—and at the same time are called to be saints. First Corinthians 1:2 states it clearly: “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy…” The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root as the word that is commonly translated as “saints.” Christians are saints by virtue of their connection with Jesus Christ. Christians are called to be saints, to increasingly allow their daily life to more closely match their position in Christ. This is the biblical description and calling of the saints.

Of course, some saints are called to church leadership. The Bible calls them deacons and elders. The difference between them is generally that deacons are charged with the care of the material needs of the church, and elders are charged with the spiritual needs of the church. In reality, these needs are not separate concerns, and that is why deacons and elders need to work together. The leadership of every church requires a team because Christianity is a “team sport.” The fellowship of leaders within churches and among churches is necessary. Christianity is not just “me and Jesus,” but is “Christ and us.”

However, being a Christian leader is dangerous because Satan targets leaders. The CIA says that Pakistan is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. Therefore, it is very important that your Christian faith is genuine because Christ will protect genuine Christian leaders. This, however, does not mean that your life will be easy. You can be sure that it will not be easy! Christ’s protection means that He will keep you faithful in spite of the danger.

“John 15:18-25 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’”

But fear not! When the Bible tells us, “Do not fear,” it means we are not to be anxious or fretful. We are not people of panic. We are people of faith. Having been justified by God, we need not fear divine condemnation (Romans 8:1). Having been chosen by God, we need not fear His rejection (Ephesians 1:4–6; Luke 12:32; Jude 1:24). With Christ as our Shepherd, we need not fear the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). With the Maker of heaven and earth watching over us, we need not fear anything (Psalm 121).

But we must be prudent. Proverbs 10:5 says, “He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” Laziness sleeps and ignores hard work, a prudent person is faithful, loyal, and works hard for the Lord regardless of the results he sees. Christian leaders don’t usually see the fruit of their work from the seeds they plant.

Proverbs 10:19 says, “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Prudence is slow to speak and process through before sharing. It is better to admit that you don’t know something than to invent some answer out of your own imagination. Be honest, and model honesty and humility for everyone.

Proverbs 12:16 says, “Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” Do not respond to insults. Insults injure our pride. But pride is a sin, so allow the insult to be a goad from God to abandon your pride. Don’t defend yourself, just be confident in your identity in Christ.

Proverbs 14:8 says, “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” A foolish person acts without thinking, a prudent person thinks about decisions before making them. A prudent person is slow to act and is not easily deceived. Pray with others before acting on every decision.

Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Make lasting friendships at this Convention, and make use of the relationships and resources that are shared among you.

And finally, be content with small groups, small churches. It is much better to have ten pastors leading ten churches of a hundred people than to have one pastor leading a church of a thousand people. Why? Because if the one pastor goes down, a thousand Christians are leaderless. Christian success is found in the little things. Big success just feeds our pride.

Greet one another in the spirit of Christ.

Pastor Phillip