Leadership 2

I just finished directing a break-out on Leadership for the Greensboro Greek Conference. Forty eight fraternity and sorority students from all over the Eastern Seaboard attended the Leadership class.

So what is the primary lesson to come out of this program: Servant Leadership! In John 13, we studied Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. This had fascinating applications for our group.

Remember when Jesus selected his disciples. The Gospel of Mark says He chose 12 that they might be with Him. It seems like this 'withness' is Jesus' primary value. When we look at His choices - there is no apparent reason for their liklihood of being together. Several fisherman, a tax-collector, a political zealot among others. At best this august group was a random conglomeration of worldviews, occupations, lifestyles etc. Not necessarily a group we would select to lead a ministry or a cause or an organization. But this is who Jesus chose.

So back to John 13, when Jesus is planning on leaving He provides His final training, by washing their feet. The job reserved for the lowliest servant in the household. The act of course symbolizes humility & serving and maybe even brokenness.

In the Leadership Breakout, we discussed Jesus humility and talked about - that the world's emphasis on leadership is getting position and power, butthe Kingdom of God is based on service & humility.

Somehow in God's economy this equals out to true leadership. Putting others ahead of yourself builds camraderie & trust. Humbling yourself before those you ar 'leading' builds trust & relaibility. 'Washing someones feet' allows them to see how far down you are willing to go to lift them up.

even in seminary...

I have a friend, a 3rd year seminary student, who is writing a paper on "why people love the Bible." She is doing this through a Facebook message (and a series of replies). The responses have come from a wide range of people at various levels of academic and missional experience. Yet the answers are so similar.

I know the nature of the question leads us to a more emotional response. But almost everyone talks about how the Bible is a guide, an inspiration, it sets this backward world straight, it reminds us of God's love.

I guess I was prepared for more intellectual parlay - or - more anecdotal references. But the Bible according to my friend's friends is designed to Help me! To get me by, to direct by path. To help me avoid sin.

In truth can it really do that?

If so it must have a higher value than just the words on the page. It must function in the divine as well as the earthly. There has got to be a supernatural component to the Scriptures.

As for me: The Bible functions as the way to see a more clear picture of my Lord. Each day and each time I pick it up I see a deeper glimpse of Jesus. And I can hear His voice in my heart.

Leadership...

There is a lot about leadership lately. Fidel Castro resigns, leading Cuba into oppression for 50 years. The charisma of Barak Obama who leads by confidence and personality. Hillary Clinton who leads by knowledge and experience. Gene Nichol who attracts thousands of students yet alienates hundreds of alumni and state leaders.

So what is leadership anyway? Who gets it? How do you keep it? Can it be measured? What are the God-given components of leadership?

From the scripture it seems like leadership is founded in 'The last must be first.' Jesus, Himself a leader who led uncompromisingly, led by serving - "I have come to seek and to save the lost." When David, one of God's mighty men, decided to 'count' his greatness, God put his leadership on hold.

Then just to prove where power and leadership come from in Daniel. This one is thrown at us: "The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men." Daniel 4:17. God is the one who is sovereign! God is the one who disburses power and authority. He disburses it to WHOMEVER He wishes!

Do we get that? Do we understand that Power either worldly or Godly is not based on my placement, family heritage, wisdom, politics or whatever. It is based completely on what God decides!

Who's reading the Bible?

Just a couple things:

First in terms of that thing called a quiet time, it seems to me that there are fewer and fewer people who are making this a priority. Why is that? I think that in "our" new focus on Grace over Legalism; a movement that we have seen increase dramatically over the last couple years. Now, it is a focus that I completely agree with. But we have taken our liberty to remove habits that really help develop our relationship with God.

Second, If I am free from the time responsibility of Bible reading, then how can I develop my relationship with God? A relationship doesn't just develop by itself. It takes an effort, a commitment of time.

Third, there is a possibility that eventhough it looks legalistic I believe the most effective way to develop this relationship will take a consistent pattern of reading the source that reveals the most accurate picture and relational dealings of our Lord. In other words if we read the Bible systematically over a long period of time our knowledge of Jesus and our understanding of God will grow.

So What is Discipling anyway?

The Questions come: "I've never been discipled so how can I disciple someone?"

Well I am sorry that no one ever took the time to begin to meet with you, to encourage you to develop your spiritual life. I believe it is a crucial way to get a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, to build unity between brothers and sisters in the faith of Christ-followers, to develop a bolder community to reach the world. But this is becoming a lost art that I believe MUST be reversed starting today! Really, there is no excuse for us who identify ourselves as Christ-followers to not begin to take responsibility for those who are younger than us. Even if it is not an element that we have experienced.

I am gonna give you some homework and then make an offer and let's begin to reverse the trend...

Homework:

Within a reasonable amount of time (1-3 hours) develop a list of topics / concepts / ideas that YOU are convinced are essential for someone who is identifying herself / himself as a Christ-Follower. After a day or so go back over the list and tweak your list. As a guideline think about 10 topics...

The Offer: If you are willing to take on this challenge, I will talk you through the next steps in beginning to be a Barnabas in someone's life just make a comment or send me an email. ( marty_purks@ivstaff.org )

Time for God?

Could it be that not having enough time to read the Bible and spend time with God because of all of the things we have to do is a good enough reason to not do it?

What do I mean? Am I saying that because of how gracious He is and also because some of us have been "in the Faith" a very long time that there is no longer a need to intentionally read the Bible or spend a concentrated time talking to Him? It seems like that could be a disease that many of us have caught.

We ARE very busy aren't we? It is a sign of our culture. It is a form of greeting that we give each other. "I am so busy!", "I've got so much to do; I am so stressed!" I can't believe the work I have to do. I'm at least a week behind." So when we work up our daily task list we put everything in its place. We prioritize the most important things first. We make sure we put at the top those things we can't ignore. That paper with the deadline; or the contract that must be signed and researched. The potential property that must be built. All these things scream "ME FIRST!" And we believe that is what really matters.

On the other hand... God is not clamoring to be at the top of the list. In fact, because of our experience with Bible Reading and Prayer we feel like he doesn't even need to be near the top. After all we will be able to catch up with that stuff after the important things are done. We know that God will understand. And also, because of that transformation / Holy Spirit thing - I believe God will give me what I need when I need it even if I am not prepared. Thank you Lord for meeting me where I am.

Wait, Wait, Wait!!! No, this is not a relationship! This is some kind of Convenience Store. that's right a spiritual convenience store. When we don't have time to do the real shopping or real preparation, we rely on the WAWA to get the essentials. That is how we are approaching our relationship with God. But it is a relationship. As in any relationship it takes time, effort, time, focus, time, creativity. It would be absurd if I thought that my relationship with Carolyn, in the early days would progress by just spending 7 minutes a week with her. It took hours. And it was hours that I wanted to spend with her. And you know what it still takes hours - 30 years later!

So it is with the Lord, I want to spend time with Him. I get to spend time with Him. And magically as I spend time with God - I know Him better. I can hear His voice better.

It's not about being legalistic, it's about a relationship