When Leaders can't lead

[Gary English]

A real issue in our Church.

Charismatic leaders, powerful orators, they love Jesus, strong in good Theology, and we love them.

BUT

Zero growth, huge decline in the Anglos, a list of reasons why that happens, and etc etc.

Yet our mission is to be used by God to accomplish s mission. New ideas are shunned.

We need leaders, Conference Presidents, that will lead out in the goals we have been given by the Great Commission.

[Gail]

Well said... I wonder if our time of relative ease makes knowing God redundant.

[olger]

And leaders who are true to the unique mission & message of the Advent Movement.

`G

[debbym]

we need hearts that are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, i think any effort any plan will bear fruit, if the power of the Holy Spirit is present.

the virtue is not in what program, what kind of chairs, and what kind of suit, what kind of academic education, what kind of media equipment, it is what kind of people we are, how do we represent Jesus.

the great work will be finished by individual Christians, lay people who are totally dedicated and devoted to God with every particle of their being.

[CoAspen]

Quote:

the great work will be finished by individual Christians, lay people who are totally dedicated and devoted to God with every particle of their being.

Employees often, most of the time, ask 'what can my leader do for me'. So it is quite often with church membership. It is not always about what can ' ' do for me, but rather what can WE do for God. There is a goal, we have been given the tools, now go with it and accomplish the task.

[Gregory Matthews]

Quote:

New ideas are shunned.

And the people and programs are criticized by those sitting in the seats.

[Stan]

I remember being told about a retired Conference President, and the quote was something like "you will not find a Godlier man". I asked about growth, and the response was something like 'it is tough area for growth'

I was a member of one Church in Alberta, and was told when I moved there it was a tough area, and there was much opposition to Adventists. I was in my 20's then.

Well, of all things a Pastor came in about 5 years after I left and he was not convinced of that, All most tripled the membership in 2-3 years and they had to build a Church School.

Have never forgotten that.

[Stan]

Not sure things can all be blamed on leadership, Church growth happens from the pews.

[olger]

Quote:

New ideas are shunned.

And the people and programs are criticized by those sitting in the seats.

Sometimes, yes. Not to imply that all ideas are criticized, nor that all ideas are good.

Rejoice always,

`G

[Gerr]

Inertia. And truly Laodicea. So what's the solution except for a revival & reformation that we keep talking about but which never seem to get off the ground? We are now on Lesson 10 on Revival & Reformation. Seen any change yet?

[Stan]

I am looking for the Bible Text (NT) that talks about leaving them alone, if they succeed then it will show that it is of God... or something similar.

[olger]

Acts 5:38 Stanislaus.

g

[Stan]

Thanks

Quote:

38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Sometimes we just have to ride things out an Observe....

[Naomi]

[LifeHiscost]

Not sure things can all be blamed on leadership, Church growth happens from the pews.

Some people are leaders and some people are followers (Shepard and sheep). The self-ascribed dutiful servant does better when co-operating with the other without criticism if it is accomplished in other ways than first imagined, especially when Jesus is the Shepard.

God cares!

[Tom Wetmore]

Yes, some are leaders and some are followers. However, it is sometimes difficult to recognize in others and ourselves. Expanding your thought further, leadership is not always consistently found in the same person at all times. Sometimes for any given person it is time to simply follow, sometimes to lead.

[phkrause]

Yes, some are leaders and some are followers. However, it is sometimes difficult to recognize in others and ourselves. Expanding your thought further, leadership is not always consistently found in the same person at all times. Sometimes for any given person it is time to simply follow, sometimes to lead.

I definitely agree with that.

[joeb]

Inertia. And truly Laodicea. So what's the solution except for a revival & reformation that we keep talking about but which never seem to get off the ground? We are now on Lesson 10 on Revival & Reformation. Seen any change yet?

Aren't we supposed to be looking in only one place to find out if revival and reformation are happening? What's the one place? Our own hearts. If it isn't happening there it isn't going to happen. Revival and reformation are not church responsibilities. They are the individual's responsibility.

[debbym]

Quote:

Aren't we supposed to be looking in only one place to find out if revival and reformation are happening? What's the one place? Our own hearts. If it isn't happening there it isn't going to happen. Revival and reformation are not church responsibilities. They are the individual's responsibility.

yes, it is a personal responsibility,

we cannot say it is because we are a follower and have poor leaders, or that we are a leader and have poor followers.

we have one Leader who is perfect, and no one has any excuse for not being full of spiritual life.

we all have equal access every moment of every day of our lives.

it is with us how much we will seek God, how much we will listen, and how much we will follow Him, and come to life and intentionally live for His glory and for the blessing of others.

as i mention this i am reminded of the scriptures, "of ourselves we can do nothing", and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".