We discussed the realities of leading in the church on Tuesday. Today we will discuss following leaders to do what really matters. We mentioned that in the Bible leaders sensed God's direction, informed the people of the direction, and the people then had to follow the leader. In most cases that is exactly what happened.
In our world, following is a more challenging reality than in days gone by. Now people are well-educated, experienced in leadership arenas themselves, and carrying a somewhat jaded perspective of pastors. The pastor used to be the smartest/most educated person in the room. He/she used to have respect just because of their title. And most of the people either were not in leadership arenas or if they were, they were not as aware of the skill leadership requires. This is not to blame the people but to state the realities of leadership in the church in this era. People have to be much more wisely led by pastors than they used to be.
But for any person, following is not easy especially if you are a leader yourself. Most of us from birth have wanted to do things our way and discard the leadership of others. How can we follow today when following is difficult and pastors are not as easy to follow as they used to be? I think it begins with understanding leading/following accountability. I believe leaders will have to give God an account of how they have led their followers. But followers will also have to give God an account of how they have followed. Once we know that we will be judged by God it makes those involved with leading and following take it much more seriously.
Secondly, understand that God, like a great general intends to take you into harm's way. Your pastor is not your general but the lower ranking officer leading your specific regiment. God is the general and your pastor is just leading you where the general wants you to go, and quite often that will be some place where sacrifice or risk is involved. The leader in spite of their outward appearance is scared too. The problem is not in being led some place scary but being led someplace that isn't scary. Because it is a risk it is probably of God. Or at least one quality that all of God's plans seems to have is risk. Accept and expect your leadership to take you some place risky...it is usually the only place worth going.
Last, accept your leader's humanity--God has. Even though they have heard from God they carry the message, as Paul said, "in earthen vessels." Mistakes happen. But not nearly as many as when prayer happens. How are you praying for your leader...or are you praying for your leader at all? Are you praying for me...I need it! It is amazing how people feel about me when they have been praying for me. Somehow, at least to them, I am a better speaker, leader, counselor, friend, etc. because they have been praying for me.
In spite of all their weaknesses and flaws, God has chosen your leader. He knows them better than anyone and yet he chose them. We would not want to find ourselves fighting against God and yet we may well be doing so if we are not following our leader. And the exciting thing is that we can make what matters, matter when leaders lead like they should and followers follow like they should.
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