Christian Tithing

This is a great question: Should Christians use tithing as a basis for giving?

Christian tithing refers to giving a minimum of 10% of one’s income to the Lord through one’s local church. The Church has debated the concept of tithing throughout its history, yet overall, has affirmed the Old Testament tithe as the basis of Christian giving. 

A Brief Biblical Argument in Favor

The Christian tithing discussion has focused upon the Lord’s tithe in the Old Testament, not festival giving, giving to the poor, or other tithing, or even freewill offerings above and beyond the Lord’s tithe. 

The concept of tithing itself permeated ancient near eastern cultures prior to the giving of the Law to Moses. Pagans would offer tithes from their property, produce, and currency to their gods. The first recorded example in the bible of a follower of Yahweh offering tithes is that of Abraham:

After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh, that is, the King’s Valley. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:17–20 ESV)

Jacob, in Genesis 28:18-22, offered to give the Lord a full tenth out of all that the Lord would give him. Tithing actually pre-dates the Mosaic Law and both of the examples of Abraham and Jacob are examples of voluntary giving motivated by grace.

This reality served as the background for when God gave the Law to Moses. In the Law, God systematized tithing for his worship and maintenance of his new nation of Israel (Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:21-32; Deuteronomy 12:5-19; 14:22-27). Later, the prophets would frequently exhort the people of God regarding the practice of tithing, often due to their neglect of it (e.g., Amos 4:4-5; Malachi 3:7-12). The historical writings recorded the renewal of the practice of tithing after returning from exile (e.g., 2 Chronicles 31:4-12; Nehemiah 10:34-39).

In the New Testament, the Gospels have recorded a few discussions of tithing, for example in Matthew 23:23-24. But, overall there remains an absence of instruction on tithing in the rest of the New Testament because of the impact of the New Covenant. Instead, the Apostles put forward other reasons for giving (see 2 Corinthians 8-9; Hebrews 7-8): (a) personal motivations, such as giving sacrificially, voluntarily, joyfully, thankfully, generously, and the list goes on; and (b) New Covenant considerations, because of the greater covenant including the Holy Spirit and the need to support churches on mission.

We Still Have to Answer the Question

The question of whether or not Christians should use tithing as a basis for their giving will likely continue to be debated and discussed, which gratefully should advance our understanding together. However, Christians still need to answer the question, in practice, somehow. Giving remains an important issue in Christian discipleship and maturity in the faith. Under both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, giving has been presented as a matter of grace, though administered differently.

                        

At what level of giving would you suggest starting? Would you dare suggest less than 10%? Shouldn’t believers under the full blessings of the New Covenant in Christ give more than those under the Old Covenant? And prior to the Law, even the pagans in Abraham’s day who worshipped false gods gave their gods 10%; but, Christians worship the One True God!

Our Personal Journey of Christian Tithing

When growing up, I observed people putting a token $20 in the offering plate each week. I thought that was a lot of money being a young child. When I became a true Christian in my high school years, I don’t recall receiving instructions or guidelines on tithing of giving (maybe I wasn’t listening). Anyway, I kept all the money I earned; actually, I foolishly spent it all on myself. During my college years, I didn’t earn much of an income at all, but I occasionally gave what I could afford and was learning about giving at the church I attended. After getting married and starting to earn a living, we started to tithe—it was a delight and served as a key to our Christian growth together at our new church.

            

However, when we entered full-time Christian ministry finances become challenging due to minimal income, babies, and student loan payments. We struggled to tithe, live, and not default on our loans. Tithing became something we felt we could only do every other month; as a result, it became an agonizing commitment, contributing to weekly sadness and daily tension. So, we decided not to tithe, but taking someone’s advice, we decided to give 2-3% and work hard to change our situation. This was a painful decision because we didn’t fully believe it was the right decision. At first, we kept track of what we owed God, but eventually gave up on this. Anyway, it wasn’t too much longer, and the Lord provided a little more income, so we sought good counsel, consolidated our loans, and began to increase our giving to 10% as fast as we could.

Soon after that decision, our church’s interim preacher at that time preached a three-week series on giving. He covered information we already knew, but the Lord used it to encourage us in our renewed commitment to giving 10%. He told the story of his own journey of not only tithing, but for a number of years increasing his giving by 1% a year until he felt the joy of sacrifice—wow! We continued to tithe, but tithing was still a real struggle for us, but was also a real joy for us. We understood in a new way, so many things about giving financially as an act of worship to the Lord and mature responsible commitment to his mission. Ever since that time, our favorite check to write is our check to our church!

Moving Forward

Christians, especially Christian leaders, should prioritize their lives in order to position themselves to honor the Lord in the matter of tithing. Don’t make excuses, such as, being in debt, going through hard times, giving elsewhere or in other ways, or hoping to get to that level of giving soon. Learn to tithe early in your Christian walk and make the commitment to tithe for the sake of your spiritual health. In addition, making and keeping a budget that includes tithing will provide even greater freedom and cash flow for further generosity.

                                    

Christian tithing shows that we really believe: (a) all that we have belongs to the Lord, (b) he is faithful to us in meeting our needs, and (c) our lifestyle should be different than the world because we prioritize worship and service to God.

What further questions do you need to explore to strengthen your understanding of a biblical view of giving? What stories of blessing do you have that you could tell to encourage others?

The Bible Is Not A Leadership Handbook

What is biblical leadership? Or, what is leadership according to the bible? These are great questions to which many of us continually seek the answers. If we could put together a biblical model of leadership, what would that biblical model of leadership involve?

Caution: This might not be as easy of a project as it at first sounds. Volker Kessler (2013) examined two pitfalls when attempting to write a biblical view of leadership: Christ Against Culture and Reconstructionism.

Pitfall One, Christ Against Culture

The first pitfall, Christ against Culture (Niebuhr, 1951), attempts to find a pure form of biblical leadership without respect to culture, or input from other resources. Those who attempt such an approach to use only the bible, and nothing but the bible, often fail to realize that when the bible doesn’t directly address certain matters, they themselves tend to fill in the gaps with their own cultural experiences of what would be best. Hence, it ends up not really being a pure form of biblical leadership, anyway.

Kessler provided examples of Christian leadership forums from Russian, German, Hungarian, and American perspectives. Have you observed people attempting to find a purely biblical form of Christian leadership, only to fail in the end? If so, what role did culture play?

Pitfall Two, Reconstructionism

The second pitfall, Reconstructionism, attempts to discover modern theories of leadership in the bible and reconstruct what was supposedly really there in the bible all along. Kessler described four phases in this process:

 

1. Perception of what is currently popular in leadership discussions. 
2. Acceptance of the useful insights for the church, even citing biblical parallels. 
3. Assimilation through proof-texting and normalization of the freshly re-discovered biblical leadership. 
4. Standardization of this newly declared biblical view of spiritual leadership as true and good biblical leadership. 

He provided an example of the contemporary emphasis on visionary leadership in American evangelicalism. Have you seen this reconstructionist process at work with other leadership theories, ideas, and fads?

What about: leadership as influence, servant leadership, heroic leadership, the leader within, loving leadership, coaching, leading like Jesus, leadership by the book, authentic leadership, laws of leadership, early church leadership, tools of leadership, healthy leadership, heroic leadership, painful leadership, courageous leadership, etc.? (Based on a cursory search of Amazon, there appears to be an almost unlimited supply of Christian leadership books, approaches, ideas, and repackaging of others’ ideas.)

Kessler concluded that: (a) the bible should not be viewed as a leadership handbook, (b) leadership theories are necessary and useful, and (c) the goal is to develop multiple leadership theories consistent within the Christian framework. This seems like a modest and refreshing proposal of a schema that remains tethered to theological and biblical (even authoritative) foundations, and a proposal that calls for awareness of cultural contexts in such a way that they can be appreciated, incorporated, and challenged. Is this proposal sufficient?

Putting the question back to you: If you could put together a biblical model of leadership, what would that biblical model of leadership involve?


Kessler, V. (2013). Pitfalls in biblical leadership. Verbum Et Ecclesia, 34(1), 1-7. doi:10.4102/ve.v34i1.721
Niebuhr, H. R. (1951). Christ and culture. New York, NY: Harper & Row.

The Early Church Was Complex, Not Simple

Without noting it specifically, Schnabel (2004) described the spread of the early church throughout the mediterranean world in the first century under the direction of the Apostles along the lines of complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory. The new emergent churches self-organized in what might be termed regional networks with each church functioning along the lines of what CAS theory would describe as independent agents.

In contrast to traditional mechanistic and even more current organic and open systems organizations, leadership in CAS finds expression within a network structure of “non-hierarchical relationships comprised of human points of contact” (Hatch & Cunliffe, 2013, p. 281). Hatch and Cunliffe delineated how networks form in light of “fragmented, specialized markets” (p. 281) and end up developing unique “lateral relationships and partnerships” (p. 281).

From a CAS theory perspective, then, the early missional churches lived and thrived in states of disequilibrium. They co-evolved as a system and network along with their environment they were seeking to impact. The new logic of leadership in CAS theory is really old logic: “leadership is an emergent event, an outcome of relational interactions among agents” (Lichtenstein et al., 2006, p. 2).

From my work in assisting church planting movements in east and south Asia, and even central Europe, the CAS approach fits naturally; those doing successful church planting actually approach leadership and change from a CAS perspective without knowing the theory. Leaders build shared vision within the larger complex system, take a facilitative and empowering approach toward other agents (leaders and churches), and enable change rather than direct change.

Interestingly, church planting in the USA happens slowly compared to many places in the world. Might this be at least partially explained by the commitment to traditions and mechanistic models of formal education, church buildings, full funding, and using processes and employing leadership in ways that are non-adaptive?


Hatch, M. J., & Cunliffe, A. L. (2013). Organization theory: Modern, symbolic, and postmodern perspectives (3rd ed.). Oxford, England: Oxford University.

Lichtenstein, B. B., Uhl-Bien, M., Marion, R., Seers, A., Orton, J. D., & Schreiber, C. (2006). Complexity leadership theory: An interactive perspective on leading in complex adaptive systems" Emergence: Complexity and Organization, 8(4), 2-12.

Schnabel, E. J. (2004). Early Christian mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP.

Destructive Leadership

Transformational leaders appeal to the moral values of their followers, seek to elevate their ethical awareness, and motivate and involve them in the mission of the organization. Followers will trust, admire, give loyalty to, and respect these types of  leaders. The opposite of this visionary and ethics-based leadership is a self-serving unethical leadership that leads to the destruction of organizations and the people associated with them. Have you ever witnessed this type of destructive leadership?

In his classic article “The Dark Side of Leadership,” Conger (1990) identified a number of reasons why some visionary leaders fail and fail miserably, highlighting negative leaders who place their personal needs as paramount, chase their visions while miscalculating circumstantial realities, and use their communication skills to deny flaws in their vision and manage their image. 

In their book, The Allure of Toxic Leaders, Lipman-Blumen (2005) described destructive and toxic leaders as those who exhibit highly dysfunctional personality characteristics. But they also placed blame upon followers who seek out such leaders in the midst of challenging and often fearful circumstances. Often, both destructive leaders and those who follow them rationalize their views and mutually support one another and end up advancing a system of destructive leadership.

Recently, Padilla, Hogan, and Kaiser (2007) provided a useful description of destructive leadership theory in terms of a toxic triangle made up of threes dimensions, the “confluence of destructive leaders, susceptible followers, and conducive environments” (p. 176). 

• Destructive Leaders exhibit the characteristics of “charisma, personalized need for power, narcissism, negative life history, and an ideology of hate” (p. 182). 

• Susceptible Followers come in two groups, conformers and colluders, “conformers comply with destructive leaders out of fear, whereas colluders actively participate in a destructive leader’s agenda” (p. 183). Conformers make themselves vulnerable because of their “unmet basic needs, negative core self-evaluations, and immaturity” (p. 180). Colluders actively support destructive leaders because of the opportunity to enact their “similar ambitions, worldview, and values” (p. 180). 

• Conducive Environments for destructive leadership include four factors: “instability, perceived threat, cultural values, and absence of checks and balances and institutionalization” (p. 185).

Have you ever observed destructive leadership theory at work in an organization? What could be done to help those involved dismantle the toxic triangle of destructive leadership, susceptible followership, and conducive environmental factors? What might be the role of prayer, repentance, forgiveness, and the use of wisdom for instituting change?

Conger, J. (1990). The dark side of leadership. Organizational Dynamics, 19(2), 44-55.

Lipman-Blumen, J. (2005). The allure of toxic leaders: Why we follow destructive bosses and corrupt politicians—and how we can survive them. New York: Oxford University. 

Padilla, A., Hogan, R., & Kaiser, R. B. (2007). The toxic triangle: Destructive leaders, susceptible followers, and conducive environments. The Leadership Quarterly, 18(3), 176-194.

Authentic Leadership

Contemporary society desires authenticity from its leaders, whether the leaders are high profile or simply the leaders people encounter and work with every day in their jobs or volunteer organizations. Positive, healthy, and trustworthy leaders build confidence in their followers and contribute to their satisfaction and productivity. However, repeated public scandals in business, government, and non-profit sectors continue to raise suspicion about leader authenticity and fuel the demand for greater accountability to achieve it. 

As a recent working theory of leadership, authentic leadership has attempted to bring together effective leadership and ethical leadership. Authentic leaders possess a high degree of self-awareness and self-acceptance, and are guided by strong personal positive core values. Because of their integrity and transparency, followers readily identify with them and perceive them to be optimistic, confident, and worthy of trust. Authenticity also involves consistency between the followers’ values and the leader’s values and behaviors. 

Researchers have proposed various definitions of authentic leadership and ways of measuring it. Most commonly accepted, Walumbwa et al. (2008) have defined authentic leadership as “a pattern of leader behavior that draws upon and promotes both positive psychological capacities and a positive ethical climate, to foster greater self-awareness, an internalized moral perspective, balanced processing of information, and relational transparency [emphasis added] on the part of leaders working with followers, fostering positive self-development” (p. 94).

Four Dimensions of Authentic Leadership with Applications for Church and Mission

Self-awareness refers to an awareness of how one “makes meaning of the world” (p. 95) and how this process impacts one’s view of self. Furthermore, self-aware individuals grow in their understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses through exposure to, and experience with, others and observing their impact upon them. What about leaders in the church and mission, how might such leaders seek to grow in awareness of their strengths and weaknesses?

A leader with internalized moral perspective will consistently make decisions based upon internal moral standards and values. Those possessing deep personal self-regulation will guide themselves based upon moral convictions even in the face of “group, organizational, and societal pressures” (p. 95). What about leaders in the church and mission, how might such leaders develop deeper moral integrity and exhibit this more consistently?

Balanced processing of information refers to the ability to “objectively analyze all relevant data before coming to a decision” (p. 95), which includes intentionally seeking out alternate viewpoints from one’s own. What about leaders in the church and mission, how might such leaders learn to seek out and appreciate input from others with differing viewpoints?

Relational transparency refers to the presentation of one’s true self to others, building trust through open disclosure. Those who exhibit relational transparency can also control their emotions, “minimizing displays of inappropriate emotions” (p. 95). What about leaders in the church and mission, how might such leaders build greater trust by sharing more of themselves?

Authentic leadership theory offers much direction and content for reflection on leadership in the church and mission worlds. We also want and need authentic leaders and followers who demonstrate relational openness and exhibit congruency in their values and behaviors.


Walumbwa, F. O., Avolio, B. J., Gardner, W. L., Wernsing, T. S., & Peterson, S. J. (2008). Authentic leadership: Development and validation of a theory-based measure. Journal of Management, 34(1), 89-126.

Culture And Leadership

The Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) research program began in 1993 and to date has studied 60 cultures organized into 10 culture clusters. The GLOBE study has served as an incredibly useful resource for examining leadership across cultures and will in the years to come. Below is a brief overview to stimulate thinking about culture and leadership where you work or minister.

The GLOBE researchers discovered six global leadership dimensions of culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories. In other words, these leadership approaches would be implicitly believed to be what makes leaders effective. Two were universally endorsed by all cultures: (a) charismatic/value-based leadership and (b) team-based leadership. Two were endorsed by a majority of cultures: (c) participative leadership and (d) humaneness leadership. Two were endorsed differently by different cultures: (e) self-protective leadership and (f) autonomous leadership. Effective leaders will make use of the appropriate culturally endorsed theories of leadership within a specific culture, while also taking into account further dimensions of culture. 

The GLOBE researchers described nine dimensions of culture: (a) uncertainty avoidance, the alleviation of unpredictability of future events; (b) power distance, the acceptance of unequal distribution of power; (c) social collectivism, the collective distribution of resources and collective action at a larger group level; (d) in-group collectivism, the pride, loyalty, and cohesion within organizations or families; (e) gender egalitarianism, the minimization of gender inequality; (f) assertiveness, the aggressiveness or confrontation in relationships; (g) future orientation, the engaging in behaviors such as delayed gratification, planning, and investing; (h) performance orientation, the encouragement and rewarding for improvement and excellence; and (i) humaneness orientation, the encouragement and rewarding of fairness, altruism, generosity, caring, and kindness.

Certainly, culture consists of far more fascinating complexity than the nine cultural dimensions and the six culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories. However, these explain a lot and help us see more clearly and understand more thoroughly how leadership works in various cultures around the world. They also help us think through how leaders shape and can re-shape culture. So, when we serve cross-culturally, how can we make full use of culturally endorsed implicit approaches to leadership? How can we do this most effectively considering all the various dimensions of the culture in which we are working?


Dorfman, P., Javidan, M., Hanges, P., Dastmalchian, A., & House, R. (2012). GLOBE: A twenty year journey into the intriguing world of culture and leadership. Journal of World Business, 47(4), 504-518.

House, R., Javidan, M., Hanges, P., & Dorfman, P. (2002). Understanding cultures and implicit leadership theories across the globe: An introduction to project GLOBE. Journal of World Business, 37(1), 3-10.

Servant Leadership

We talk about servant leadership a lot in our churches and missions, but different leaders mean different things when using the term and practice servant leadership differently. 

Robert K. Greenleaf developed the leadership theory we call “servant leadership” in 1970. Greenleaf (1977) based his theory of servant leadership on examples from the New Testament. Other theorists have continued to explore the Scriptures and leadership studies and have furthered the description of servant leadership. Jesus Christ set the example when he washed his disciples feet and finished with these words:

John 13:14–16 ESV “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

The Theory

In servant leadership theory, leaders primarily attend to the needs of followers, while accomplishing organizational goals as a secondary priority. Servant leaders build trust with their followers by communicating openly and honestly, exhibiting personal integrity, and trusting followers themselves. Servant leaders listen to their followers’ personal concerns, help them grow wiser and healthier, and empower them to achieve their individual goals. Such leaders seek to create a culture focused on caring for the needs of all the organization's members as they work together to achieve common goals, all the while seeking to develop many other servant leaders within the organization. 

Patterson (2003) developed seven constructs for describing servant leadership: (a) love, (b) humility, (c) altruism, (d) vision, (e) trust, (f) empowerment, and (g) service. In Patterson’s definition, love concerns itself with moral judgment and action. Humility shows itself by keeping proper perspective of oneself and staying focused on others. Altruism consists of concern for the welfare of others and acting with complete fairness. Vision focuses on the personal vision and faith of followers, not the organization’s vision, rather the individual’s goals and fit within the organization. Leaders build trust through integrity and mutual respect. Leaders empower others by truly sharing power, emphasizing teamwork, and valuing input. Finally, the mission of servant leadership will be achieved by service as a way of life, attitude of the soul, and manner of being.

Servant leaders primarily concern themselves with serving their followers, while also helping them contribute to the organization's mission. How applicable is servant leadership in leading your church or mission?

Greenleaf, R. K. (1977) Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist.

Patterson, K. A. (2003). Servant leadership: A theoretical model. Servant Leadership Research Roundtable, Virginia Beach, VA. 

Why Don’t We See More Of Our Missionaries?

A few years ago a fellow pastor and friend of mine asked me, “Why don’t we see more of our missionaries? Is there something wrong with our church?”

Perplexed and Hurt

This seemed strange to him because overseas missionaries who are on home assignment are usually eager to visit their supporting churches and reconnect with many friends in the church. This church considered itself very mission-minded, genuinely devoted in prayer and partners in the work. My friend was somewhat offended and hurt.

I happened to know this church and its approach to missions fairly well. True, it was somewhat of a mission-minded church, but the leadership and the congregation were not as committed to missions as they thought they were. It is safe to say that those outside the church would not describe the church as a mission-minded church.

3 Measurements of Commitment

So, I asked how much the church supported each of its missionaries.  It was a modest sum, probably a little too modest. Then we talked about the travel costs for the missionaries to visit the church. This cost was not reimbursed by the church, either. Their missionaries seemed to visit when their church was an easy add-on to a trip, but they were not the main destination.

Then we talked about what a missionary visit would look like. Were opportunities created for the missionaries to give an in-depth view of their work, and would they have freedom to ask others to become supporters of their ministry? It turns out that the church didn’t take the initiative to create such opportunities, or much else.

Then I asked about recent mission trips taken by the church. The last significant one was over five years ago. Occasionally people still talk about it and reminisce about its value and glory. However, in today’s world of inexpensive travel and easy to organize short-term trips of value, it should be routine practice to have church leaders and others visit a church’s missionaries. This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage them, bless them, learn from them and be of value to them.

Making Necessary Adjustments

My pastor friend agreed that they were really a low mission commitment church. And their missionaries probably didn’t sense great commitment on the church’s part. The relationships had not been nurtured. Gladly, my pastor friend decided to make the necessary changes! 

Since our conversation a few years ago, the church has been steadily increasing their financial support of all their missionaries. The church leadership communicates much more and at a higher level of quality with their missionaries and their congregation. 

There is a new level of engagement that is obvious to all. Missionaries are highlighted and given greater access to people. Slowly, new trips are being organized, well-planned for added value, and they are being seen as a key investment for the advance of the Gospel!

5 Short Stories of Competing Visions

Leaders have their reasons why they believe that more than one vision is best for their church or organization and how it really sets them apart. But, they are wrong.

When meeting with them, after listening to some of their success stories and current ministry struggles, we as a group of leaders start exploring how and why things work the way they do. We talk about core ministry passions, opportunities and resources. We talk about what more could be done, and what could be better.

Then, at a strategic time in the conversation I ask them how having multiple visions within their organization is really working for them, for the advance of the ministry.

They start to see that having more than one vision is not helpful. It never works out well. There can only ever be one vision per organization. Following are five short stories.

Starting a New Church Well

Recently I was asked about the possibility of a church planter and an associate working together on a church plant with slightly differing visions. Would this be okay?

Why would leaders think this was a good idea? Is it because there would be two pastors working as partners? They could reach different groups of people. And resources could be pooled. Nevertheless, this is a terrible idea.

Differences will become irreconcilable, and this will probably happen sooner than expected. Philosophy of ministry underlies every vision and is a core part of who we are as pastors. Trying to manage two of them will hinder the church plant’s development. Also, different ministry activities seen as critically important will compete for time, volunteers and other resources. A better solution would be to plant two churches.

A Vision in Waiting

Another conversation took place with the leadership team of a growing and healthy church. However, they sensed that there were three separate competing visions within their church. This really wasn’t the case. They actually identified three closely related ministry passions that could easily be brought together under one vision.

Their challenge was to work together on writing out this common vision and writing a fuller description of what it would look like as they accomplished it. They also needed to come back together in their personal relationships as one team and as one church.

We talked about where vision comes from, who shapes it, keeps it and promotes it. We discussed the role of the senior pastor and the leadership team. This was an encouraging and energizing conversation looking toward the future.

The Seditious Staff Member

In another church, a staff pastor was leading a vision revolt, using his ministry team as the place to begin fomenting unrest. Leadership meetings revealed the fraction with the senior pastor. He would frustrate the board by regular dissent or he would agree but then carry out his own agenda.

This staff pastor needed to submit to the larger vision of the senior pastor and the other board members. He needed to humble himself and know his place in the organization, or he needed to leave for the sake of the congregation. Those people he was stirring up needed to be reconnected to the true vision of the church and reassured of the rightful leadership.

Mission in the Slough

A mission organization that touted itself as an expert in vision development and strategic planning somehow could never seem to clarify its own vision. They struggled to see strategic plans through to fruition. This was largely because they changed the vision at almost every leadership meeting, so in reality many visions existed, not one.

Obviously, the lower level leaders and staff lacked confidence and did not trust the top leadership. Worse yet, those arrogant leaders were oblivious to the quality of leaders and people they had in their own organization.

It was a missed opportunity to create one vision with an organization willing to embrace one vision. Organizations need top leaders who can lead, who can lead other leaders, who can lead real people and genuinely value, honor and trust other leaders than just themselves.

Laity Leading Loosely

Another church has as many visions competing as lay leaders in the congregation.  Since there is no clear vision from the pastor or the board, everyone just does things, good things. Each person promotes his or her ministry to attract people and gain resources.

They try to package everything together and present it as one really broad vision. They convince themselves that this is true and good. They find themselves floundering and having to rejoice in very minor successes. Were they to unite behind a common vision, and then align themselves and work as a team, their success would be amazing!

Many more stories could be told, both short and long, about churches and organizations experiencing problems because of not understanding the role that vision plays, actually having a vision and only one organizational vision.

Can I Help You Find Another Church?

Many people have had to go through the difficult experience of switching churches within the same town. This can be very unsettling and stressful, leading to great unhappiness in the process. People generally have a hard time seeing that their discontent might be God’s method of moving them on. How can a pastor be most helpful?

3 Poor Approaches

1. Anger. Pastors should not get angry or defensive. Although it feels highly personal, and might be some of the times, most often it is not. Even when it is, if we gain strength from Christ and put our hope in His glory and vindication, we can address the situation as needed. Dealing harshly with people displeases the Lord, and will result in leadership failure.

2. Ignore. We should not ignore people who are struggling, either. Avoidance, hoping the problem will resolve itself is poor leadership. It hurts everyone, the whole congregation, you as the pastor and those who are disgruntled. If they leave it will remain unresolved. If they keep on complaining they need to be confronted.

3. Sell. Nor should we attempt to appease their complaints. Often our initial reaction is to explain why we do ministry the way we do it, and why they should be excited about it and embrace it. We point out the many successes and obvious blessings from the Lord. We try to sell them, or re-sell them, on our vision.

Instead of these approaches, we should engage people more deeply and truly help them. In doing so, we ourselves will grow in Christ and in spiritual skill in leading His People. In a few cases, such people might start to see things differently and make a dramatic change and become a team player. But, more likely at this stage this will not be true for the large majority. So, how might we part ways in a more spiritual manner?

3 Better Approaches

1. Explain. Explain that maybe they are entering a different stage in life. A lot of people don’t even realize this about themselves and their families. Our needs and hopes change throughout life. Likewise, our spiritual journeys and desires for growth change. This reality needs to be understood much better by all of us and embraced as God’s design in our path to being fully transformed into the image of Christ.

2. Explore. Explore with them the possibility that God may be moving then on to help another church and its ministry. We are one large worldwide team in Christ’s Church. There are numerous places to serve, among many different peoples, and many with far greater needs than our present congregation. Ask questions about their passions for Gospel ministry. Take time to enter their stories and find out what God is doing in them.

3. Exhort. Some simply need to be exhorted, told maybe for the first time that they are just ornery and obstinate people who need to leave if they do not change. Be prepared that unhappy people are just that--unhappy. Some have serious spiritual problems with trusting the Lord and submitting to His authorities and established leaders. Don’t let people despise you and your position. Challenge them as you tell them to leave.

Doing The Parting

People don’t know what to do with discontent or where to go. Often they need to be given the gifts of freedom and understanding, rather then being told they are bad Christians. They are already struggling with this before the Lord. Don’t over-spiritualize church membership and abuse the concept of loyalty. (See related blog Three Problems With The Marriage Analogy.)

At the proper time, ask directly, “Can I help you find another church?”

Asking such a question will be surprising to most people. The fear and expectation going into this kind of meeting with the pastor overwhelms people. The idea of parting on good terms, and even to bless one another as friends, probably has not occurred to them.

The reason the pastor should ask this question, is not only because he is the leader, but because often people don’t know other churches in the area like the pastor does. We have the opportunity to match them up for the next stage in their journey and to maximize their usefulness for the Kingdom!

This is by far a better conclusion to what is often the inevitable outcome after people become considerably dissatisfied. Why not take advantage of the situation, preserve the relationships, help them find another church, and bring further glory to God?

6 Signs Of Leading Like A Boss

Every once in a while you encounter Christian organizations that are run more like an organized crime family than a church family, denomination, mission agency or non-profit. 

It is their leadership style that gives them away. Here are six clear signs of abuse of power and manipulation, that if you see them, you should run and not look back.

Decisions are Unilateral and Whimsical



Examine who are the real decision makers. How many of them are there? Does it ever seem confusing how they make decisions? Can you articulate their criteria? Can they? What hoops must you jump through in order to make a significant decision? When was the last time you were allowed to make one? If decisions are unilateral and whimsical you are likely dealing with a mafia boss style leader.


Favors are Granted for Ingratiation



Follow the money. Money tells all, or very close to it. Who has the authority to dispense funds indiscriminately? Who can’t, and why? Money talks and money makes people look good, even better when they give it away. What is expected of the recipients—immediate praise of course, but what about in the long term? Is such generosity a virtue or a vice? If favors are granted to ingratiate others you are likely dealing with a mafia boss style leader.

Enforcers are Visible and Invisible



Most likely they do not wear suits, sport shades and carry uzis under their jackets. But, notice who is almost always in the room, whether silently at the table or leading the meeting. Do people ever show up unexpectedly, filled with questions about your decisions, actions, spending, travel, relationships or goals? Can members or employees ask questions about abrupt ministry changes, or are they too afraid to ask? If enforcers are present and in your business you are likely dealing with a mafia boss style leader.


Loyalty is Touted as the Highest Virtue



Loyalty is obviously a virtue. But, how often do your superiors talk about loyalty? If it is a whole lot, there might be something wrong. It could be a mild form of megalomania, or it is waiting to become full-blown. Is your loyalty ever questioned, or rather paraded as an example? What about others in the organization? If loyalty is the conversation of the day, almost every day, you are likely dealing with a mafia boss style leader.


Excess is Enjoyed, Gifted and Withheld



Follow the money, yes. But, following the spending is even a better indicator of self-absorption and idiocy. How much is spent on dining, liquor, hotels, entertainment, airline upgrades, clothing et cetera? More importantly, observe who they share it with and who they don’t, and why, and when. Stay alert and make solid conclusions. Do not accept excuses. If the luxuries and pleasures flow freely you are likely dealing with a mafia boss style leader.


Notification is Given about Who is Trustworthy



Have you received that email telling you someone is a bad guy and you should stop communicating with him? Or, you have been told you can trust so and so without question. Why are you letting someone else make these decisions of character assessment for you without your own investigation? Have you ever considered that this might be manipulation, especially after a few rounds of names? If you are regularly notified about good guys and bad guys you are likely dealing with a mafia boss style leader.

Realize that mafia style Christians in leadership will cover up the above with spiritual language. The decisions will be billed as Spirit-led, favors will be promoted as blessings, alignment will be described as what moves us forward, loyalty will be described as teamwork, travel perks will be deemed necessary for major advancements and finally the purity of the mission must depend on identifying the trustworthy. 

In many places in the world, violence and intimidation will be used along with these six means of coercion. Pay attention to the unhealthy nonsense. If these ungodly signs are present, even just a few of them, get out fast!

Jesus Is Such A Burden!

“How can you live so freely and happily in Christ?!” she said, “for us, Jesus is such a burden!”

Strange Assimilation

In this Asian country, Jesus often becomes a new burden once becoming a Christian. This is strange because Jesus came to relieve our personal burden of sin and free us from the burdens of religious legalism and self-righteousness.

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Asking more questions about this situation exposed the sad reality that for many new Christians their lives are made harder by entering upon the Christian life and leaving their old life. They are free from their sin, and talk joyfully about it, yes, but their hearts are heavy when discussing the expectations of conformity to their new religious communities.

This is nothing new, of course. We often see human reasoning about spirituality elevated above the true spirituality clearly explained in the Scriptures. It happens in many cultures, probably every culture. Certainly we see it in America as well.

Christian leaders and others attempt to create a super spirituality that has the appearance of wisdom. And yet they don’t see that they are making themselves and their systems out to be better than God’s own design.

Colossians 2:20–23 ESV “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

Strange Options

The expectations for ministry and life were oppressive, as was the almost daily scrutiny of their life by others. People pile up guilt and shame upon themselves and upon one another, leaving no real room for relief. It seems to some that their only options are to switch churches every few years when it gets to be too much, or to drop Christianity entirely as a failed experiment.

This makes for a hard life. This is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness of freedom, nor in its power for growing holiness and deepening joy.

Romans 8:1–4,15 ESV “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. . . . For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””

We explained many Scriptures more accurately. We explored some of the specific extra-biblical requirements imposed upon believers, their origin and appeal, and how they fit within their own cultural context. We learned a lot together from one another.

We sympathized with the oppression. We encouraged people toward perseverance under it with prayer and a deeper joy in Christ. We helped chart a path forward not only for the individuals, but for long term spiritual health of specific churches and the wider Christian community there.

The most important conversations were those in which we talked about the Holy Spirit giving wisdom to fulfill Christ’s principles and commands, and how that might look different in each situation and with each person.

We all should long for Christians to experience the abundant life in Christ that Jesus bought for us and promises us by the power of the Holy Spirit!

John 10:10 ESV “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

Galatians 2:16–3:3 ESV “. . . we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. . . . O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

May we all live life to its fullest to the glory of God and assist our brothers and sisters in Christ who live under legalism and fear.

What it Takes to Get in, and Why You Might Want to Stay Out

A pastor I know was eager to get involved in mission work in a particular country and had started educating himself and his congregation and taking trips. The pastor contacted his denomination about partnering in the mission.

He was told over and over how great that would be, but was never given the names and contact information of the mission leaders. So, he and his church just went ahead working on their own, with other grass-roots partnerships developing along the way.

For five years they labored successfully in the field, all the while trusting their denomination to make good on their promises for partnership. He eagerly wanted to get in on what they were doing and share in the larger work together. He kept receiving polite affirmation, but never trust and partnership.

Eventually, he was allowed to look inside the tent and meet a few of the leaders, probably because they saw that he was doing good things. They started listening to his strategic thinking and observing his results, which were much better than their own. This denomination’s cautious treatment of one of its own pastors is not uncommon and is sadly revealing.

Getting In

In order to get in one has to fit in with the existing structures and prevailing theories. One has to follow along with the established goals and strategies and manner of doing things. One has to be a follower for a long time before being considered worthy of making original contributions.

However, depending on your goals, this may not always be the worst option. If all that is desired is to support the current mission, then things are usually setup for just this kind of involvement. But, don’t expect to be allowed to contribute leadership gifts or even input from pastoral experience over the years. It can be perceived as too threatening.

Staying Out

By staying on the outside one is free to create new things and start new works. One can be active in setting goals and developing strategies. And then, developing relationships with those on the inside can be very helpful, once one is seen as reasonably legitimate.

Staying on the outside allows one to be a leader. Leadership by pastors within the organization is not often appreciated. After joining up, don’t expect to be called upon for expertise in preaching, biblical knowledge, leading people, starting churches or even caring for people. This, and a whole lot more, is what often has to be sacrificed to get in, and so one might want to consider staying out, and so being able to do what we do best and what we are called and gifted to do.

A Better Result

In reality, it might actually be better for the mission overall to have these pastors leading outside the existing structures and mission works. They are usually very good at forming new partnerships and forging ahead to multiply the ministry. Then, with mutual appreciation and respect, partnerships can be formed that have great potential for a much better result.

(See related blog entry, “We Are Just Pastors After All”)

What Do They Pay This Guy For, Anyway?!

Even I knew at the time that the Bible would transform people’s lives. It already had transformed mine!

I can still remember my first years as a Christian, and the feelings easily return. It was so exciting to know God personally! It seemed like I couldn’t get enough of the Bible, and meeting with other Christians to worship and pray about everything in life! One of the best parts, though scary at times, was learning to tell others about Jesus Christ!

Finding a Church was Exhausting

Trying to find a church was much harder than I had expected.  The town I was living in at the time was saturated with evangelical churches. The problem in many of them was the preaching.

I didn’t know anything about preaching at the time, having only been a Christian for three years. I thought preaching was about teaching people the Bible, so they could become Christians and know God in Christ more truly and deeply. But I was in for a surprise.

They were Preaching Many Other Things

In many churches I visited, one didn’t even need a Bible. This was not because they provided them, or published the verses in a bulletin or projected them on the screen, but because Bibles weren’t even used. Go figure!

Some sermons didn’t even mention Jesus, except maybe at the very end, believe it or not. So many focused on personal moral issues or current political issues, harping on them week after week. Way too many sermons were way too cute or clever to be true, at least I knew they couldn’t be from the Bible. A few talked about theological concepts at levels that were beyond me, and from looking around the room, beyond most people. Some preachers obviously enjoyed their illustrations too much, and some congregations did as well.

The list of unimpressive preaching examples could go on and on. But, honestly, for most of the sermons I heard, I could have stayed home and learned more from the Bible on my own, if that were the only reason to go to church. It was so depressing.

Why didn’t pastors preach the Word of God? This was so confusing to me. All I wanted was the Bible, nothing fancy.

What was so Hard about Just Doing the Job?!

I had a hard time figuring out what some of those pastors must do all week, if that was all they could come up with on a Sunday morning. I knew the pastor had to run the church and care for people in need. But, after sampling so many churches, I was beginning to wonder what they even paid this guy for? He was not even doing his main job, for crying out loud!

Maybe I was wrong, but if the primary responsibility of the pastor is preaching the Word of God, then it seemed to me that it should be given primary attention by the pastor. These were the verses I knew at the time, and maybe a few others:

Acts 20:27 ESV “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” 

Ephesians 4:11–14 ESV “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” 

2 Timothy 3:16–4:5 ESV “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Eventually, the Lord led me to a church that preached the Word very clearly, simply yet deeply. Over the next two years, I came to know God much better, love Him more and serve Him as a new believer under spiritual transformation in Christ.

That was what I was thinking in 1988, anyway. I have grown much since that time, but this adventure of mine as a young Christian trying to find a church that taught the Bible has forever shaped my view of preaching, and pastors.

Self-Willed Leaders Are Unfit To Lead

An often overlooked character requirement for Christian leaders comes from Titus 1:7, “he must not be self-willed.” 

It gets overlooked because being self-willed is not always obvious to everyone, and we don’t like calling people “self-willed” or “arrogant.” So, when it appears as a possibility in a potential leader, it is often not seen as that damaging, but dismissed as a strong personality. 

However being self-willed is more than having a strong personality. It describes a person who finds ways to get one’s own way; he who serves himself above others and the mission of the church or organization he is supposed to be serving. 

Examine Behavior Closely

What does a “self-willed” individual look like?

There are many examples that could be given from the evangelical world these days of self-willed individuals who are in positions of leadership or who have fallen out of leadership. We tend to think of well-known public figures, but even more examples will be found in thousands upon thousands of local churches around the world.

In addition to the more common observations, here are a few ways we might identify a self-willed leader or would-be leader.  

• He will not stop pushing his pet issues and projects. 
• She frequently takes passive aggressive actions, subverting and sabotaging.
• He plays the self-assigned role of gatekeeper, controlling other people’s ministries. 
• She just doesn’t care about the negative organizational culture she is creating. 
• He creates his own separate loyal following within the larger group. 
• She is noticeably excessive or extreme in her enjoyments. 
• He is too familiar or inappropriate with those of the opposite sex. 

There are many more examples of selfishness and controlling behavior that could be given. These two qualities of selfishness and controlling behavior define being self-willed.

Confronting the Arrogant Ones

Self-willed and arrogant people are drawn to positions of power. We need to prevent them from leading, remove them from leading and even help them self-correct when possible. How might we do this?

It begins with paying attention, and then bravely calling out those who are self-willed and naming “self-will” for the arrogance that it is. This might start with a personal conversation of confrontation, or it might involve organizational authorities. Either way, this will take courage and may be very costly because we are dealing with powerful people and influential leaders quite often who do not want to hear the truth about themselves.

We need to keep reminding ourselves and others why it is so important not to have self-willed people in leadership—because they will destroy many aspects of many people’s lives. They are dangerous to the organizations they lead and they will lead them to eventual ruin and oblivion if left unchecked. We need to speak up.

There is a good example in 2 Timothy 3 which is given after listing many sins of selfishness in verse 1-4.

2 Timothy 3:5–9 ESV “. . . [Such people have] the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. . . . But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all.”

Another example is found in 3 John.

3 John 1:9–10 ESV “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.”

Trusting God Enough to Say ‘No’

Being self-willed describes a person who finds ways to get one’s own way and serve oneself above others and above the mission. Self-will is a deeply damaging character trait both to oneself and to those around that person.

God promises in the passages of 2 Timothy and 3 John above that He will make sure that the self-willed will not get very far, that they will be exposed and that His authority will eventually be recognized.

Self-willed people are not fit to lead. Saying “no” to them will bring God’s blessing, grace and peace to the larger group. It is of vital importance to trust God by following His clear will for leadership in His churches, and organizations that serve His Mission.

Pick A Number, Any Number

Are we still too small, or have we become too big? 

What size should our church be? It is a good question. But the answer is that it doesn’t matter a whole lot, so just pick a number and be done with it.

An Ever Elusive Goal

Each church should set a numeric goal, work toward it, and upon reaching it rest satisfied, thoroughly satisfied and stop.

The main problem with not selecting a numerical goal is that the church and its leadership are constantly chasing an undefined and ever larger goal. This is poor leadership, laziness, and really truly a sorry excuse for casting a vision.

On the other hand, other churches say they want to be larger, yet undermine it in their behavior and never reach it. Instead, they should simply admit they really desire to be the size they currently are, and be fine with it.

Indecisiveness and unwillingness to face reality produces an unfocused angst in many congregations. Many worry about growth, whether their church is not growing, growing too much, growing in the wrong ways or growing by the right methods. 

Leadership needs to step up and lead, provide directional clarity and peace. And stop wasting everyone’s time, energy and life.

Settle It and Move Onward 

A common default mode is to think that getting bigger is better and that this is fulfilling the Great Commission. But, many churches never get much bigger, even over the course of many years. Additionally, there are often limitations on how big certain churches are ever going to get. 

So, we need a better goal than an elusive and frustrating growth target. The solution is easy. Pick a number: 30, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 or more. Any number will do. Everyone will feel much better once a number has been chosen. 

This decision can probably be made in just a few leadership meetings. Consider the unique context of your church, the resources and gifts the Lord has given your congregation.  What is His plan for you, uniquely, not for every other church? 

Size will determine many things about a church, its staffing, its style and types of ministries and most everything else. So choose wisely what you really want. But, once you get to the number then you get over the anxiety, and you can get on with finding more significant goals. 

Let’s be honest and clear—church size is really not that significant of a goal.

Greater Works to Be Done

Church planting and global mission is where the truly significant goals are to be found! 

Reaching the unreached and starting new churches, that is what it is really all about, and every size church can be involved! In fact, we need all sizes of church for this enormous endeavor around the world.

The world need churches that are satisfied with who they are, not unsure and chasing lesser goals of big numbers or small numbers. Pray over your church’s number, but also pray about the larger more important indicators of true Great Commission vision that extends beyond your church.

Pick a number, any number will do, and let’s move on and move forward!

Have You Seen The Invisible Man?

After a church member has an affair with a colleague we ask ourselves if we could have known. Outsiders ask us why we did not know, or if we have learned what we should have known in hindsight.

We are straining to see the invisible man who can not be seen.

Don’t Blame the Victim

After a violent crime we have a saying “don’t blame the victim” and it applies here as well. Did she lure him or ask for it (the rape)? Did he say something offensive or racist and provoke it (the shooting)? The guilty are the guilty ones and the victims are the victims, let’s keep this much straight!

I have many experiences with this in my 25 years of experience in pastoral and mission ministry. Certainly, you have your own set of stories. Such things are common to fallen humanity.

Don’t blame yourself for not knowing in advance.  Don’t look down on others who were duped; it is not their fault! And don’t let others scrutinize you as some naive person to be pitied and better educated.

Usually we are not missing anything. We are supposed to be charitable toward others, while at the same time wise in our assessments. But, those who live an invisible life are good at it, often perfecting their duplicity over the years.  


Don’t be Suspicious or Surprised


It is not our job to be suspicious of everyone around us and uncover their secret moral failings. When people move into this intense surveillance mode it is sad and scary at the same time. I have seen this happen to people in churches, and it can get very ugly.

Sometimes we see things and we should take action by asking some questions and talking to leadership. And truthfully, sometimes we see them in hindsight and we learn for the future. However, this is not the usual turn of events. 

Jesus told us it would happen, that people would fall away, so we wouldn’t be surprised when it happens and we suffer. So, let’s obey Jesus and not be surprised. The New Testament is filled with examples of such people and further warnings and instructions.

Whose fault is it? Keep it simple. It is the sinner’s fault. Let the guilty be condemned and the innocent be set free. Stop trying to see what can’t be seen and focus on what is visible.

Spiritual Eloquence

Spiritual eloquence is not the same thing as being good at public speaking, being original with cultural insights, or being able to affect hearts with healing words.

It might include such things, but these are not necessary for spiritual eloquence and should not be confused as such, as often as they are.

Apollos: Better Than Most

God has given especially gifted individuals to His Church and for this we are especially thankful and blessed. But, there are only a few like Apollos. However, all of us are needed not just the giants.

Acts 18:24–28 ESV “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Some of us might hesitate to speak because we are not as gifted, or mimic the greats hoping to be somebody someday.  Apollos is a good example for those extra-gifted and those who look up to them. His humility stands out in being willing to be corrected by those less gifted, ordinarily gifted, and see himself as just one of the group, not really any better a Christian. Many mighty would-be Apollos types have fallen in recent years because of arrogance.

Apollos shows us the way to spiritual eloquence by his example of becoming competent and well-taught in the Scriptures and then speaking boldly out of a faith-filled fervent spirit.

Jesus: The Spirit for All of Us

But, many protest they don’t know what to say or how to say it, that they don’t know enough, and that they fear arguments they cannot answer. These reasonings reveal a decided identification with human preparations and standards of eloquence. It is not spiritual thinking.

Luke 21:13–15 ESV “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” 

Acts 4:13 ESV “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Acts 6:10 ESV “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

Jesus Himself provides His followers with the wisdom needed at the time it is needed through His Spirit that indwells them. Spending time with Jesus Christ is what fills up our minds with wisdom and grants a fuller measure of His Spirit. 

Spiritual eloquence comes from Jesus Christ. Be with Jesus a lot, even more than that. And then get out and try it. Rely on the Spirit of Jesus and prove His promise true.

Paul: Not Often Out of His League

We might still find ourselves in situations that way beyond our abilities, humanly speaking. The level of sophistication from the opposition is intimidating, and so even going in the Spirit we tremble. 

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 ESV “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

This is all the more reason to stay close to the clear message of Christ, and rely on His strength, His Spirit and His purposes with that audience. This is spiritual eloquence.

Besides, who and what are we really going after? Isn’t it the salvation and maturity of those He has prepared, not trying to conquer the fierce opposition with our intellect or creativity?

Being afraid to speak for Christ and the Gospel is a matter of spiritual warfare, the evil one assaulting the spiritual gifts Christ has given to the Church. The devil and our flesh induce us to measure with human standards and encourage our rising doubts and fears. 

Spiritual eloquence is not about speaking exceptionally well, impressing others or moving people emotionally. It is simply speaking in the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes from time spent with Christ and in His Word.

Maybe you just need to speak and see what happens.

Overloading Partners With Opportunities

Like a rain that turns into a flood it can become too much of a good thing.

There is such a thing as too many partnerships and too much training. This can easily be observed in areas newly opened to the Gospel with the rush to go in and minister and the eagerness to receive all that is newly available.

It is a challenge for all potential partners to discern and decide because we all want something to work out. We want relationships. We want ministry success. 

Too Much from Too Many

Without realizing it perhaps, when many different organizations descend on an area together they bring a dizzying number of great training options. Many of the programs overlap, seeking to accomplish the same goals, and the differences in choice are not very clear to those who might want to avail themselves of the services.

So training organizations should not be offended when potential partners decide they do not need or desire what their organization has to offer. Those looking for training, coaching or consulting should take their time and select carefully and not be afraid to decline many options in order to choose what is best for them or their ministry at the time. All of us are on the same team ultimately, and we can be confident that God is working out the right partnerships for each of us all along the journey.

However, sometimes the overwhelming flood also surfaces not so noble ambitions in all of us. We maneuver to take advantage of one another to selfishly acquire resources or claim the successes or others through partnership. Yet, even in these situations it can be mutually beneficial for the advance of the Gospel, and over time the Lord exposes jealousies and ministry greed and matures His people.

Too Much from Only One

It is also possible that even just one organization or church can offer too many options. Being so eager to help, with the resources lined up to be poured in, a new large vision is ready to be unleashed.

The vision might be too large for the potential partners, or different than what they truly want and need to advance the Gospel in their society. On the other hand, there may be no vision but merely a lot of varied activities planned based upon all the skills available from the church or organization.

Being over eager it is hard to discern if potential partners are ready to receive and engage, or simply willing to work together. This over eagerness also makes it hard for potential partners to stay true to their vision and assess rightly what partnership with a particular church or organization will mean and what will be the results.

Stop the Flood

Too many options of good things can keep our friends from selecting the best.  We make similar ministry judgments, saying “no” to the good in order to say “yes” to the best. We should expect and actually encourage our potential partners to do the same, even if it means not selecting what we have to offer. 

Learn about your potential partners’ real needs in their context. Listen well and observe carefully and be willing to modify or customize what you have to offer. If your church or organization is offering too much or too many options, spread out. Match your efforts to the capacity of your parters. Find more partners or locations.

Not everyone needs the services you offer. Many different types of services are needed, and your thing is not the only thing and it will not be the best thing for for everyone. Relax and follow the Spirit’s leading and don’t be jealous. God has a place for everyone to serve.