Is there lack of Biblical leadership in the church?

Published 2:08 pm Thursday, June 27, 2013

I Thessalonians 2:3-6 (NKJ):  “For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.  But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.  For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness – God is witness.  Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”  The heading in my Bible above Chapter 2 is “The Male Servant and His Rewards”.  I recommend that the whole chapter be studied.

Does the church as a whole today have a lack of Biblical leadership?  According to the Word of God, the answer is yes.  Paul gave a great example in these verses on how a Pastor ought to lead his flock.  Notice I said “lead his flock,” not be led by the flock.  Verse 3, Paul says his calling (exhortation) did not come from error or deceit, but as V.4 says, he was approved by God and entrusted with the gospel, “not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts”.  O. S. Hawkins wrote: “There is the style of pastor who leads by public consensus.  This person does not take a stand until he can get a read on what the people are thinking.  Man pleasing is what this is; those who do nothing until they know it makes the most people happy.  In others words, Paul said he was not a smooth talking preacher who tried to make a good impression in order to gain favor with the people.

The second style is that pastor that leads by personal conviction.  Hawkins said: “Those who lead by personal conviction have convictions deep in the fiber of their being about what is right or wrong and they lead that way, come what may.  Those who lead by public consensus lead people to do whatever the people want to do.  Those who lead by personal conviction lead people to do what the people need to do”.

Paul said that he did not come with flattering speech.  This presents the picture of a hypocrite; in other words, those who do that are concealing their real motives.  Today there are so many who say they come in the name of God, but are no more than religious racketeers.

Mac Brunson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, wrote: “The how of leadership is critical.  How do we lead the people of God?  What manner, shape, and fashion does our leadership take?  The Word of God gives clear instructions about the manner of leadership.”  Here is what he suggests:  “We lead most effectively when we lead from humility”, Acts 20:18-19.  “… when we lead from gentleness”, I Thessalonians 2:7&11.  “We lead best when we lead without partiality”, I Timothy 5:21.  “We lead most effectively when we lead with decisiveness”, 2 Corinthians 1:17.  “…when we understand timing”, Ecclesiastes 3:1&3.  “….when we keep our heads”, 2 Timothy 4:5.  “….when we are trustworthy”, I Corinthians 4:2.  

A leader must remember that he is also a servant.  Jesus in our great picture of a servant.