Understanding Church Leadership 15
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
16Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. 17Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness. (Eccl 10: 16-17)
It is a great thing to be with the Lord once again today. May the joy of His presence always fill our hearts in Jesus’ name.Amen! Last Tuesday, we considered stewardship, but today we shall be considering “Commitment to Growth”.
One of the most difficult things in leadership is continuous growth. The kind that is able to put a leader in front indeed. It is a Herculean task which is achievable with a good mind, passion, dedication and the help of the Holy Spirit. One of the secrets of lasting leadership is staying fresh. Meanwhile, staying fresh means followers are never wearied by their following, but always wanting more of the leader. This happens when a leader keeps doing all he can to be like Christ in mind and character.
Leadership, as defined in one of the earliest parts of this series, is commanding voluntary followership. This makes a leader different from a boss. People follow a boss, because their livelihood or favour is tied to his decisions and his decisions are being informed by his disposition towards individuals. Meanwhile, we are in a generation where people are meticulous about the leaders to whom they commit their lives, knowing well that the impact(s) of such leader on their lives and destinies can be either great or jeopardising.
A true leader is a leader followers are always happy to see taking the lead, because they have got a lot of spiritual and moral lessons to learn from him and above all, he leads them in the path of becoming like Jesus. So, becoming like Jesus is foremost in any act of leadership. In becoming like Jesus, there will definitely be increase in stature, favour and wisdom. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52). So, becoming like Christ thereby requires ceaseless fellowship with Him in the place of Word and prayer. This is never a lazy man’s job.
If Jesus Christ grew in wisdom, it means Jesus sought knowledge; since wisdom is the right application of knowledge. “45When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.” (Luke 2:45-47)
Leaders in this age cannot afford to be lazy because, (1) we are in the last days when knowledge will increase. “4But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.(Daniel 12:4). (2) The lips of a leader must preserve knowledge “True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.”(Malachi 2:6-7).
If it is non- negotiable that knowledge will increase and the only divinely certified source for true, undiluted and untainted knowledge is the lips of priests, then leaders (priests) cannot afford to be lazy in order to be on top of their divine expectations.
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
