An Open Letter to All Church Leaders

Do not take a step on your own. Avoid using the Lord’s name in vain by claiming your ideas and dreams are all from God. Lead from a place of humility understanding that you serve God by serving those who are a part of the collective of Christ followers under your care. Be careful how you view your position as you oversee what does not belong to you.

Remember who gave you this position.

You are not in your position because you have a right to it or because you have some quality that impressed God so much He couldn’t say no. You are there either because God placed you there to carry out His vision or because He allowed you to place yourself there. If you are the former get on your knees and seek God’s guidance as you employ the authority He has given you. If you are the latter get on your knees and seek forgiveness for exercising power that does not further His kingdom.

Understand the difference between the kingdom you live in and the one you serve.

You are surrounded by examples of success, processes to achieve goals and plans for expanding influence and power, don’t buy into them. The kingdom of this world is not the kingdom you serve nor should it be the kingdom that has the most influence over you. That being said, it is the kingdom that poses the biggest threat. It is the kingdom that has constant access to you because it is the kingdom you live in.

Live so that those who see you see the character of God not you.

The Pharisees held themselves up as the example of holiness. Their expectation was that people would see them and praise them for their greatness. God does not place you in a position of authority for your own glory but to point people toward the only one who deserves all the honour, praise and glory. You should be humbled: you are allowed to play an important part in the most important and perfect plan even though you are nowhere near perfect.

Seek confirmation and Godly input.

You have been given authority, your position assigns you a level of control. To be questioned can be irritating, to have people move forward with their own idea without consulting you can seem to challenge your rightful place as a leader. You will be questioned and you will be disagreed with. Don’t stop seeking conformation and Godly input. Don’t have an, I’m in charge, do not question me, I will be the one with the ideas and the implementation strategies mentality. Don’t start out this way and don’t let the pressures and irritations of leadership turn you into this type of person.

There is only one bride and one bridegroom, know your place.

It is the job of all members of the bride of Christ, the body of believers, to seek to be pure and spotless for her bridegroom. It is your job as a leader to encourage and direct those you serve toward this goal. You must avoid elevating yourself and your position, you are not the focus but rather the one that helps others focus on Jesus. There is only one bridegroom, be careful not to make yourself so important that you take His place.

Lead like Jesus…

…“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…” Philippians 2:6-7a (NIV). Are you serving God’s plan or are you furthering your desire to have a position of power. Don’t forget God used Judas to complete His plan even though Judas used his position for personal gain. Servants serve the master not themselves. The Master set the example by becoming a servant Himself.

The toughest part is leading out of love and humility rather than position and assigned power.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant Mark 10:42-43 (NIV)

25 comments

  2. “Live so that those who see you see the character of God not you.” Well, my Brother, don’t be surprised if I tell you I love this. First because it causes a true man or woman of God to reflect and that is ALWAYS important! Second, I love the implication in your paragraph headings. If we do not read and study the Word of God with its layers and depths that continue for the heart that truly seeks, than how CAN we allow the Character of God to shine through? We have to KNOW the Character of God and that is one of the missions of the Living Word! We aren’t perfect, not a one of us, but that is why we do what the Apostle Paul wrote, we pursue and strive towards that goal. One day when the Bridegroom DOES return, than we are promised to achieve that in Him!

    Great message and especially for this year ahead of us! One year closer my friend!!

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  4. I think most, if not all, of these can be applied to people in any kind of leadership position – heads of families, corporations, nations. Acknowledging our dependence on God and living to serve Him is the surest way to do a good job in WHATEVER He’s called us to do.

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  6. Pingback: Letter to All Churches | Tonya LaLonde

  9. I’m so tempted to come up with a list of famous preachers I would tell this to…but then I remember that I’m no different. I’m where I am because of God. I have a tiny group of listeners on my blog and I am responsible for serving well. And it is only the cross that hides my sin.

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  12. Excellent as usual. There is so much I could say about my experience based on your comments, but most experience is from the opposite of your comments and the trend is going further in the wrong direction.

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