My friend Steve Camp has once again sounded the alarm for the recognized leaders of the Evangelical community to stand up and be counted on the side of the Gospel. Read his compelling plea at his web ministry Audience One in an article titled The New Religious Common Ground. http://a1m.org/index.php
Allow me to muse here regarding the burden I feel as one who has accepted a certain level of leadership in the evangelical world, much lesser than the likes of Steve Camp or the men he calls out in his article. Even less than my own Senior Pastor, however, a certain level of influence I do have and thus the burden is upon me properly exercise that influence.
Three passages come to my mind, so allow me to briefly comment on each.
James 3.1-2 speaks of leadership in terms of ones role as a communicator. “1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” (ESV) Here we see the challenge of leadership to be one of controlling our tongue. The text goes on to emphasize the untamableness of the Herhuman tongue. The power and greatness of the spoken word ios referred to as a bit in horse’s mouth, a rudder on a ship, a small spark that ignites a devastating forest fire, and a wild beast. The context is clear, for in verse 13 James continues speaking of leadership and maturity in the area of wisdom. Therefore, one of the great challenges of leadership (i.e. “teaching”) is to be careful what you say and when and how you say it. As evangelical leaders, we must be unquestionably clear on, above all else, the heart of the gospel. Our tongues cannot spill forth words of praise for a man who teaches such heresies as papal infallibility and grace received from the Treasury of Merit dolled out in accordance to penance and yet speak of grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. As James 3.11-12 says “11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” Clear, bold challenge for teachers/leaders to speak clearly the gospel.
2 Timothy 1.8-14 is Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to guard with great diligence the gospel that has been entrusted to him. “(8) Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God… (14) By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (ESV) There is in Scripture an overwhelming and oft repeated call for leaders to contend earnestly for the faith. This is the repeated theme throughout the pastoral epistles of Paul, as well as the overarching theme of Christian ministry in general. A leader can do a lot of things well, but if you fail to stand firmly for the doctrines of grace, you fail your role as a spiritual leader. As Steve Camp so aptly remarked, “it doesn’t matter if we work hard to get proper medical supplies, food and water to those who are starving to death in impoverished countries, but fail to provide them the nourishment needed for their starving souls—the Bread of Life—the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Matt 18.1-6 is perhaps the most grace and fearful of the challenges of leadership. In response to a question regarding greatness (i.e. leadership) in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus calls a little child to himself. He then uses this child to illustrate the humbleness needed to come to faith in Christ. After the question is answered, Christ uses the opportunity he created to emphasize the need for those who do humble come to faith in Christ like a child to be taught/lead. He gives this warning to those who would assume the role of leading these new humble Christians. “5Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” The onus of faithful leadership is weighty.
Indeed, every individual believer will give an account for his beliefs and actions, but those who stand in leadership will be given a stricter judgment and have a weightier task of carefully choosing where, when and what to speak. May God graciously give to me the wisdom necessary for such a huge task.
Grace to You!
1 comment:
Hey Dave,
As I read this Blog article again, The scripture in it spoke to me. Not only does it warn us to watch our tongues but also in James 3:1 we see the Biblical mandate to practice what we preach. I see this because James warns some NOT to become teachers because they will judge will greater strictness. In v2 James explains that all stumble but those who don’t are perfect. This implies to me that those who teach the word of God are expected to live by it. Doing all we can to live by its perfection. That is why James says not many should become teachers; because its a hard thing to practice what you preach. Why else would James say not many should become teachers, (especially after Paul says all should desire prophecy). It seems that he is reminding people that to become a teacher is not a decision that should be done capriciously and should be done by anyone because what being a teacher demands. Its interesting too that the verse that precedes it is James 2:26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. That 3:1 follows this verse even more greatly shows that he is telling leaders your works should be seen again the Biblical mandate to practice what you preach. Not only that, it seems like that James is trying to discourage would-be-preacher who would not live up to that standard. What an amazing task we have to model what we teach!
-John
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