Reading in Hosea this morning I came across this verse… “Like priests, like people – since the priests are wicked, the people are wicked too.” (Hosea 4:9 NLT)
Being a spiritual leader is a HUGE responsibility! Among other things, the role of a spiritual leader is to set a spiritual benchmark.
What you are, do, say, etc. is a benchmark of sorts for those you lead. If “the pastor does it” then it gives freedom to others… a justification of sorts, for others to do the same thing.
I used to think that we were all “on the same journey” until I read these words from St. James, “Not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness” (James 3:1 NLT).
After reading this verse I realized that in leadership, as responsibility increases, rights decrease. If you are a leader in the church you have fewer rights than do your fellow travelers. This is a leadership principle, quite frankly, that applies to leadership in general, not just church leadership. Leadership calls us to a higher standard of living because our role exposes us to more people and implies some level of expertise, therefore more people look to us for counsel and frequently implement what they see us do.
Remember this, if you are a leader (e.g. in the home, in the church, in the market, etc.) you have a HUGE responsibility, because as John Maxwell always says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
Amen, good words and thoughts to always remember.
Thoughts and prayers continue with you during this time of transition…
jb
Excellent thoughts. Take it one step further. First look at leadership. To be an effective leader one must be a good follower. By that I mean that you have to be a good listener, observant be in tune with your organization and those that are subordinate to you. You have to be a visionary, able to step back from what is happening and see the “big picture” beyond the events of the moment. Old saying that there is no I in TEAM and there is no I in LEADER as well. You need to lead by example. Honesty and integrety earn respect and loyalty.
James 3:1 is a powerful message for those of influence in the Christian faith. A pastor, small group leader, Sunday school teacher, worship leader; those that have accepted positions of influence and teaching in the local body (church)have an awsome responsibility and will be judged accordingly. A secular leader is judged and scrutinized by worldly standards; leaders in the church; teachers in the church are judged by a higher authority.
The only point that I disagree with you is in that as responsibility increases; I do not think that your rights decrease. Rather, as responsibility increases you have to have a better awareness of your thoughts and actions and how they affect your leadership. I believe that this comes with maturity both as a leader and a follower of Christ. Lead by example is a mature choice not a loss of rights.
I like the Maxwell quote that “Everything rises and falls on leadership”. This quote expresses the need of a leader of integrety. Also I take from this the need to build a support team capable of keeping the operation running in your absence. If Jesus Christ had been a loner with no followers, where would we be today??
Paul,
The responsibility pays off! There is a reward for maintaining personal integrity! Look at Joshua 4:14 and 6:27. Joshua was a leader “with whom the LORD was”. It mattered that he led as he was being led and the blessings came. Only do not squander the good fruit that God prodcues in us (Hos. 10:1-2)on buidling monuments to ourselves!
Mike
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