Wednesday 31 December 2014

(leadership) on the front foot



I am a member of a church that has gone through a period of numerical growth and spiritual development of late. This has come after a season in which membership declined and there was the odd rumble of discontent within the membership. Over recent months I have found myself saying that for this experience (blessing) to continue we must keep the work of the church on the front foot.

Having explored the origins of the phrase it seems likely that it comes from the game of cricket. A defensive stroke, i.e. one that is aimed at playing the ball safely, not necessarily to score a run, is often "off the back foot." In other words, the batsman takes a step backward towards the stumps.

Taking a step down the pitch, towards the bowler is often, "on the front foot."

If we view the game as a whole then defensive play is a vital tactic. However, to win a batsman must go on the front foot and attack in order to build up runs.

How do we keep a church on the front foot? How do we take courageous steps forward, seize the initiative and accept the challenges that come our way?

It starts with the leadership and has implications for the membership.

A church on the front foot has leaders that are marked by...

A strong sense of purpose
They recognise that the challenge is not to waste time on secondary objectives. Focus is paramount.

“Forgetting what is behind…I press on…” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Persistence
Leaders (on the front foot) know that they need to contend with opposition, criticism, problems...and maybe even praise!

It is a sobering thought that many of the leaders in Scripture failed during the second half of their lives.

“…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” (Hebrews 12:1).

Self-knowledge and mastery
A leader's knowledge of their strengths develops confidence in God. Awareness of their weaknesses cultivates faith in God.

“Watch your life and doctrine closely (1 Timothy 4:16).

Continuous learning
Leaders (on the front foot) take charge of their personal development and the nurturing of their gifts and talents.

“Whatever you have learned, or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice (Philippians 4:9).

Pastoral care
Leaders (on the front foot) care deeply about the flock that God has placed within their oversight.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care (1Peter 5:2).

No fear of failure
Leaders (on the front foot) are open and honest about their mistakes and failures. Because of this they can accept people as they are...and lead them forward in God.

“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

A sense that they are ultimately followers
Leaders (on the front foot) know that they are first and foremost disciples (followers) of Jesus.

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ(1 Corinthians 11:1).

Much could be added to this but these characteristics (at least) are evidenced in leaders who are on the front foot for the Lord Jesus Christ and his church.

What about church members? This is...

...to be continued...

Wednesday 24 December 2014

veiled in flesh...

The core idea of the Christian faith is the incarnation. God took flesh and dwelt among us.

C.S. Lewis said, The central miracle asserted by Christians is the incarnation. They say that God became man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this

With remarkable economy of words, the apostle Paul describes this history altering event. "...in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body” (Colossians 2:9).

Everything that the Bible reveals to us about the character of God finds perfection expression in the person of his Son, Jesus...

...set apart in holiness...
...present in love...
...righteous in judgment...
...lavish in grace...
...perfect in justice....
...tender in mercy...
...exacting in standards...
...generous in forgiveness...

The New Testament expands this thought when it says, "The son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). We have developed the English word  'Eikon' from the phrase found in this verse.

Eikon expresses two ideas.

First, likeness, as in the image on a coin or the reflection in a mirror.

Second, manifestation, with the sense that God is fully revealed in Jesus. Eikon goes so much deeper than mere likeness or resemblance. Eikon conveys the meaning that Christ is whatever God is.

The incarnation not only reveals who God is it also assures us of His presence. In the person of Jesus, God comes near.

I love the way this is captured in an old poem...

Speak to him, Thou, for he hears, and Spirit with Spirit will meet-
Closer is he than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.
(Tennyson)

These unalterable truths sound out in our timeless carols...

Lo, with a manger lies
He who built the starry skies…
(Worship him)

Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
(Thank him)

Monday 15 December 2014

lightening the load

The role of a leader in a local church can be a demanding task. The apostle Paul knew this more than others. He said, “…besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28).

A burden by its very definition is something that weighs us down.

Like Paul, church leaders are people who know the burden of concern for the local expression of the great household of God. It would not be an isolated occasion when I have gone home from a long elders meeting only to have a fitful night's sleep as I mulled over the issues we had wrestled with the previous evening.

So what resources can we draw on to find the strength to stand up under this burden? And beyond that to find joy...

2 Corinthians gives a profound insight into the burden that leaders carry in local church ministry. Chapters 1-6 outline the experience of leaders weighed down by ministry pressures. There are some deeply personal passages in this section of Scripture as Paul opens his heart and says it like it is!

As I have reflected on these chapters Paul seems to indicate that leaders can find strength in...
...the support of one another to share the burden
Paul speaks in the first person plural rather than the first person singular. It is absolutely vital that leaders bring a surrendered self to the team gathering. Personal agenda and individual attitudes need to be left at the front door in place of a deep commitment to the up-building of fellow servants of God. Other leaders need to know that I will share the collective burden and encourage them in the shared responsibility. 

...the help of God and the perspective he gives in the challenges we face.
Paul said his troubles were light and momentary. He was able to say that because of the long view that God gave him. He carried a sense of eternity in his heart.

...the continuing effectiveness of the cross (& resurrection) of Jesus in the heart of God's servants.
At Communion we "feed on him in our heart by faith with thanksgiving."

Through baptism we identify with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection.

Our service for God is patterned after the passion of Jesus.

Indeed, the central motif and the guiding principle of Christian life is the cross of Jesus. Martin Luther (the 16th century reformer) found the haunting image of the crucified Christ to be the crucible in which all our thinking of God is forged. He said, "The cross alone is our theology...the cross puts everything to the test."

The old gospel hymn actually sums up the entirety of Christian experience and service, "...burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near."

An experiential knowledge of these truths will not remove the leader's burden of concern for the local church but it will lighten the load he carries.

Monday 8 December 2014

what the church needs...in large doses!

I never tire of reading the New Testament book of Acts. My favourite part of the story is the account of the many journeys the apostle Paul made with his friends across the Mediterranean world of the first century. Far from being the modern package holiday these were bold adventures into unknown and sometimes unforgiving territory. The primary aim was the advancement of the Kingdom of God. The results were remarkable; individuals encountered Christ by faith and local Christian communities were established to the extent that it was said that this apostolic team "turned the world upside down."

As they plant churches and revisit them, I am struck by the two clear objectives that guide the task. They seek to strengthen and encourage the local church. On at least ten occasions those twin goals are highlighted. "There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more" (Acts 16:40). "Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers" (Acts 18:23).

If this was such a priority at the birth of the church, then, why is it important, how is it practically achieved and what might it look like in practice today?

Why is it important?
The Christian life can be tough and we need encouragement to stay the course. Opposition to the faith may arise and we need to be strengthened to hold fast to God.

How is it achieved? My highly personal reflections...
It will be achieved through a ministry:
  • Saturated in prayer
  • Built on the teaching of God's Word
  • Committed to genuine fellowship
  • That releases the gift potential of the church
  • That fosters a spirit of worship
  • That recounts God's work in people's lives
  • That encourages a missional approach to living
Admittedly much flesh needs to be put on these bones but I believe these considerations are a start. 

What might it look like today?
It will begin when Christians let go of the consumer mentality that is evident in much of contemporary church life and begin to invest time in other people. Again, a thought in seed form!

At the end of Acts we find Paul travelling to Rome to stand trial. Just outside the city the Roman Christians meet him. Luke records, "When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God" (Acts 28:15).
What would church culture be like if our lives drew this response from other Christians?