Volume 11 Post/Email 6 – Lukewarm Leadership
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 and Hebrews 13:17 instruct churches to hold their leaders in highest regard, respecting and obeying them. Leadership is vital to the life, health, and successfulness of the church of our Lord. Jesus spent 3 years training 12 men for kingdom leadership. Paul's letters to churches often include instructions regarding what qualities to look for in spiritual leaders, and what priorities by which spiritual leaders should focus. With all of this in consideration, some people called to serve and function as leaders fail to operate God's way. They may be people of character and good motives, but they neglect to grow and adapt to God's will regarding their role in the flock.
Therefore, some churches suffer from lukewarm leadership. Lukewarm leaders have at best a vague clue as to what the church is to be, but even less any sense of how to move people in the intended direction. Lukewarm leaders do not have a plan, do not have any pretense of implementation, and lack an undergirding philosophy. As examples, an elder might concentrate on the specific tasks of deacons, rather than the expanded role and responsibility of shepherds, or a minister might choose to do tasks that others could do and neglect his specific role of teaching and equipping. The congregation suffers because the leaders are not developing and maximizing the potential of the whole.
What are some consequences of vacuous, lukewarm leadership?
-Followers grow more cynical and discouraged by the day (low morale)
-Wasted energy / wasted time / wasted resources / wasted talent
-The church's potential goes unrealized
Can you think of any other consequences?
Reflection: For those in church leadership, accept the challenge to lead intentionally with a shared vision and strategy. Do not be directionless, passive, complacent, or lazy. Do not be lacking in prayer nor priorities. Be diligent to lead the members, nurture and equip the members, to promote and build upon the positives in the culture, and love them enough to lead change regarding any negatives embedded in your specific congregation's culture.
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 5 – Lukewarm Actions
I don't understand why people choose to be lukewarm about the only thing that really matters. We are not lukewarm about our hobbies and secular interests. Yet we are sometimes lukewarm about our religion and God's kingdom. The minority in most churches are lukewarm, but occasionally it is the majority. In fact, Revelation 3:14-22 records the words of Jesus as he addresses the entire congregation at Laeodicea for being lukewarm.
Below are some examples of actions a church can take that seem good and spiritual, but are lukewarm.
1. Lukewarm churches see Jesus as part of their life. They give Jesus a section of their time, money, and thoughts, but do not allow him full control.
2. Lukewarm churches feel obligated to worship.
3. Lukewarm churches participate in worship without having their mind and heart engaged.
4. Lukewarm churches do really well what need not be done at all.
5. Lukewarm churches have Bible classes that do not have any thoughtful objective or intended direction. The teacher in each adult class just talks and rambles about whatever. Children's classes are not prepared in advance with any clear goals.
6. Lukewarm churches choose what is popular over what is right whenever there is conflict.
7. Lukewarm churches rarely share their faith and time with the community.
8. Lukewarm churches do what is comfortable and familiar, trusting in themselves instead of God.
Overall, I am excited about the church and the many who have the same singleness of purpose and focus that we read about in the book of Acts. Many in the church today are passionate about Jesus, discipleship, missions and ministry. However, we must guard against distractions and illusions that appear spiritual and worth our time and attention, that really make us lukewarm concerning what matters to Jesus. (Next week, I will address lukewarm leadership).
Reflection: Does my church have any lukewarm actions? Do I as an individual member have any lukewarm actions? If so, what am I going to do about it?
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 4 – Action and Thoughts
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
I chose this quote because it shows the power of thinking. Our words, actions, habits, character, and destiny are all created by our thoughts!
The Bible encourages (and warns) us to fill our minds with positive thinking and truths for which we can and will be transformed.
Romans 12:2a - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Colossians 3:2 - "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."
1 Peter 1:13 - "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Transformed living begins by renewing our mind. Holiness, positive actions, and self-control begin with the preparation of our mind. This is why personal Bible study, meditation and reflection are important. This is why teaching and preaching are vital activities in the church. Both positive and negative actions begin with our mind.
What are you thinking?
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 3 – Action and Commitment
Sometimes people take action for a season, but then cease. They start a new family project. They begin a new exercise regimen. They initiate a new church program. They organize a new home group, et cetera.
Sometimes activities cease do to unavoidable circumstances, or transition into another phase or focus, or have successfully accomplished their given purpose. However, sometimes activities that should continue cease due to a lack of commitment.
In his book The One Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard says, "There's a differnece between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses."
What about Christian living?
Are we committed to our Lord and discipleship, or are we merely interested?
What about The Great Commission?
Are we committed to The Great Commission, or do we just evangelize and teach when it is convenient?
The Great Commission is our calling from Christ for which we are to be committed and active participants. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
-Brian
Volume 11 Post/Email 2 – Action and Courage
Maya Angelou visited Belmont University a few weeks ago on a Tuesday night to speak. One of her quotes, which was cited in The Tennessean the following Wednesday, was "Courage is the virtue that makes all the other virtues possible." She was saying that courage is the virtue that sustains the other virtues.
Action takes courage, especially action in the midst of obstinate people. Loving people takes courage, especially when people are resistant to that love. To be a people of sustained action and virtue, we must have conviction and courage.
Hebrews 12:12 reads, "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." The Hebrew writer is using the metaphors of arms and knees to address our tendency as Christians to become weak in life and relationships. We become weak as a result of a lack of courage. We lack courage and moral fiber because we lose sight of faith in God. We must be resolved to be people of strength and courage. Our help for this courage, confidence, fortitude, power and resoluteness comes from the Lord. Hebrews 13:6 reads, "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"
Reflection:
Are my daily choices and actions revealing courage in the face of any opposition?
For what am I fearing, or lacking courage and strength?
(Ask the Lord for courage to take action concerning any issues identified.)
-Brian