Teaching Leadership has it's Time and Place
I've attended classes at the Baptist College of Florida now for two years. I am amazed at how many classes have been taught dedicated to the subject of leadership. We've studied conflict management, leading change, and now visionary leadership. One thing I've noticed from the Professors teaching these courses is that they are sold out on the concepts. I mean they are enthusiastic and whole heartedly believe that the subject of "Leadership" is the solution to the churches problems and the lack of understanding these issues is why so many churches have failed, become stagnant, and largely lost their influence in their communities and the culture at large.
Of course the heroes of the new Leadership craze include Rick Warren, Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, and other "mega church" leaders who have broken the mold of traditional churches. Now, it doesn't take a theology PhD to recognize that these guys are light on theology. I would dare say that they rely almost exclusively on paradigms and leadership models to accomplish their goals. When I read their material and analyze their methods, I can't help but relate some of their philosophies to the late Charles Finney.
Charles Finney was a visionary in his day. He broke the mold of traditional church methodology. He practically invented the public altar call. He rationalized the Christian message to appeal to the emotions and the will of the hearers. He employed psychological techniques to illicit a response to the message. For a time, Finney saw huge responses to his methods. There were large numbers of "decisions" in his revival meetings. However, the end result left many spiritually burnt out people and churches. Why? Because Finney utilized man's power and potential to get the results he wanted and in doing so, he perverted the glorious gospel of the grace of God.
Now, let me clarify so that I am not misunderstood. I don't think that everything that Warren, Stanley, and Hybels do is detrimental to the gospel. I don't think that they are killing the church through their techniques and philosophies or anything like that. In fact, I think some of their ideas are fresh and useful. Why? Because in some ways the traditional church has placed extrabiblical obstacles that keep people from hearing the message. I think that leadership principles help invigorate churches that have become stagnant and lifeless. I think the concepts are helpful in the practical areas of ministry and church organization. I have begun utilizing some of the concepts myself. You can see some of it at my church's leadership blog. However, I believe there is a time and a place for these principles.
When is the time and place for teaching leadership principles in the local church? I believe the time and place is primarily in dedicated meetings and groups organized for that purpose. The time and place is NOT in the pulpit week in and week out. Why? Because it's not by human methods or psychological principles that people are saved and built up in the faith. Only the gospel truth, powerfully and passionately proclaimed, will produce the eternal fruit that we all seek. The reformation message of scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and all to the glory of God alone is powerful in invigorating the faith of God's people. The sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man are key biblical realities that must be proclaimed again today. The gospel message that Jesus preached is a foreign concept to much of the man centered theology permeating our pulpits today.
What was the gospel message that Jesus preached? The heart of the gospel, the faith once for all delivered to the saints, the message Jesus proclaimed to the masses was clearly portrayed in John 6 and John 10.
In John 6, Jesus had 5,000 eager followers and yet Jesus said that the Father's will was that He save all that the Father had given Him and that He should lose not one of them. He also said that no one can believe in Christ unless the Father drew them and even clarified by stating that no one could believe in Him unless it has been granted to him by the Father. These eager 5,000 all left and "followed Him no more". Yet, the disciples remained and Jesus said, "Have I not chosen you."
Again in John 10, Jesus had a wide audience. What gospel did Jesus preach? He said that He came to lay down His life for His sheep. He said to the pharisees, "You do not believe because you do not belong to Me." Yes, Jesus proclaimed the doctrines of grace. Paul articulated the gospel of the grace of God. Jude exhorted all believers to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
This is the primary message that is always appropriate in the church. Teaching leadership principles is helpful but it has its time and place.
"Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts." Zech 4:6
Blessings,
Pastor Chris
Of course the heroes of the new Leadership craze include Rick Warren, Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, and other "mega church" leaders who have broken the mold of traditional churches. Now, it doesn't take a theology PhD to recognize that these guys are light on theology. I would dare say that they rely almost exclusively on paradigms and leadership models to accomplish their goals. When I read their material and analyze their methods, I can't help but relate some of their philosophies to the late Charles Finney.
Charles Finney was a visionary in his day. He broke the mold of traditional church methodology. He practically invented the public altar call. He rationalized the Christian message to appeal to the emotions and the will of the hearers. He employed psychological techniques to illicit a response to the message. For a time, Finney saw huge responses to his methods. There were large numbers of "decisions" in his revival meetings. However, the end result left many spiritually burnt out people and churches. Why? Because Finney utilized man's power and potential to get the results he wanted and in doing so, he perverted the glorious gospel of the grace of God.
Now, let me clarify so that I am not misunderstood. I don't think that everything that Warren, Stanley, and Hybels do is detrimental to the gospel. I don't think that they are killing the church through their techniques and philosophies or anything like that. In fact, I think some of their ideas are fresh and useful. Why? Because in some ways the traditional church has placed extrabiblical obstacles that keep people from hearing the message. I think that leadership principles help invigorate churches that have become stagnant and lifeless. I think the concepts are helpful in the practical areas of ministry and church organization. I have begun utilizing some of the concepts myself. You can see some of it at my church's leadership blog. However, I believe there is a time and a place for these principles.
When is the time and place for teaching leadership principles in the local church? I believe the time and place is primarily in dedicated meetings and groups organized for that purpose. The time and place is NOT in the pulpit week in and week out. Why? Because it's not by human methods or psychological principles that people are saved and built up in the faith. Only the gospel truth, powerfully and passionately proclaimed, will produce the eternal fruit that we all seek. The reformation message of scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and all to the glory of God alone is powerful in invigorating the faith of God's people. The sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man are key biblical realities that must be proclaimed again today. The gospel message that Jesus preached is a foreign concept to much of the man centered theology permeating our pulpits today.
What was the gospel message that Jesus preached? The heart of the gospel, the faith once for all delivered to the saints, the message Jesus proclaimed to the masses was clearly portrayed in John 6 and John 10.
In John 6, Jesus had 5,000 eager followers and yet Jesus said that the Father's will was that He save all that the Father had given Him and that He should lose not one of them. He also said that no one can believe in Christ unless the Father drew them and even clarified by stating that no one could believe in Him unless it has been granted to him by the Father. These eager 5,000 all left and "followed Him no more". Yet, the disciples remained and Jesus said, "Have I not chosen you."
Again in John 10, Jesus had a wide audience. What gospel did Jesus preach? He said that He came to lay down His life for His sheep. He said to the pharisees, "You do not believe because you do not belong to Me." Yes, Jesus proclaimed the doctrines of grace. Paul articulated the gospel of the grace of God. Jude exhorted all believers to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
This is the primary message that is always appropriate in the church. Teaching leadership principles is helpful but it has its time and place.
"Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts." Zech 4:6
Blessings,
Pastor Chris
posted by Christopher Redman at 9:47 AM
1 Comments:
Friend, you are too kind.
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