In the last post, I discussed the first of three steps based on the biblical pattern for developing men to serve in leadership. The first step taken by Jesus was An Invitation. After spending the entire night in prayer, Jesus invited twelve men into a relationship where they shared life together. The relationship was one where the apostles learned about Jesus and came to know Him more intimately. To prepare men to serve in leadership today, there must be an invitation into a relationship where life is shared together.
The second step is to model true leadership. A great leadership principle is never to ask anyone else to do something you are unwilling to do yourself. Jesus demonstrated this principle in the humblest way. Entering John 13, Jesus was nearing the end of His life. Knowing the events about to unfold, after the Passover meal, He took a basin of water and a towel and began washing the disciple’s feet. No task was lower for a servant than to wash someone’s feet. Jesus’ underlying and overarching purpose was to show the apostles what love really meant. Humility is about putting the needs of others above yourself.
If the next generation of men is to grow in their desire and preparation for the role of an elder/shepherd, they must see it modeled. I have been privileged to observe many elders over the years of my life. I want to believe that all of these men have the right heart for leading in this role. I know it is not always the case. As in all areas of leadership, there are those who have selfish ambitions, hidden agendas, and a hunger for power and control. The next generation needs to see leaders with the heart of Jesus: selfless, sacrificial, seeking to meet the needs of others, even above their own. I am not talking about setting up and taking down chairs and tables at fellowship meals or opening and closing the building before and after services. These are good and noble tasks, but a model shepherd is one who knows the risk that accompanies leading, and they are willing to make the sacrifice. They comfort families who are hurting from the loss of a loved one. They seek to return members who are struggling in sin and have wandered away. They counsel husbands and wives, parents, and children to build stronger Christian homes. They pray for every member of the congregation each day. They look for ways to help people know Jesus more intimately. They teach. They care. They love. They lead. They are worthy of trust because they work for the good of the people and speak up for their welfare (Esther 10:3). I am thankful to know several elders who model in this way.
The third and final step involves Training. This step takes at least two forms: teaching and experience. Jesus taught the apostles everything they needed to know about life and leadership. During the three and a half years Jesus walked the dusty paths of Israel and Judah, He taught many lessons and used varying styles. Some lessons Jesus taught were one-on-one interaction with the individual, like the Samaritan woman or Nicodemus. Some lessons were taught to multitudes, like the Sermon on the Mount. Still, there were other lessons that were taught by example. Jesus often asked questions. At other times, He gave instructions. He always went about doing good. He healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, and fed thousands. He calmed storms, interacted with outcasts, and comforted the hearts of those hurting. Jesus, however, did more than teach; He gave the apostles the opportunity to experience the work for themselves. In Luke 10, Jesus gave instructions and sent them into the work. They learned by doing.
No one should be expected to fill any role in leadership without first receiving the training they need. Training is required, both through instruction and experience. Instruction may formal, and it may be informal. It occurs in a classroom, in the hallway, across the table at lunch, or hundreds of other places. There is an element of intentionality when it comes to instruction. Shepherds constantly look for opportunities where they can provide it.
According to the Barna Research Group, a critical concern expressed by many from the next generation involves the opportunity to practice what has been learned. After surveying more than 15,000 people from the “Connected Generation” (ages 18-35), they learned that 82% believe there is a leadership crisis, and almost half of them said one reason is that the older generation is not allowing the younger generation to actually lead.4 David Kinnaman, President of Barna, said, “If we are not making room for younger leaders today, they will not be around tomorrow.” He is right, and I have seen it already. When and how leadership is experienced will vary from one congregation to the next. The focus, however, is on ensuring there are ways for each man to use the instruction they receive in real-life contexts. This is far more than leading a public prayer, leading a song, presiding over the Lord’s Supper, or teaching a Bible class. They need experience in leading their family to know Jesus, setting a Christlike example on the job, providing an example for and serving their community, and tending to the needs of others within the congregation.
Far more could be said related to the crisis and urgency facing the church today. We need to look for more areas where we can be encouraged. While there are bad situations, there are also good ones. Let us spend more time focusing on the good and how we can build on it. The three steps shared in the two articles are only three of many we can follow. Imagine, if you will, what the church would look like if we were focused on Inviting men into a relationship with leaders and began sharing life together, where True Leadership was Modeled by servant-hearted, sacrificial leaders who sought to meet the needs of others, and Training provided instruction and opportunities for experience. While it may only be three steps, if we were to implement them, the next generation of men to serve as shepherds would be prepared to lead their own families and God’s family.
Works Cited
- Ross, Bobby Jr. 2015. “Churches of Christ in Decline: U.S. Culture to Blame?” https://christianchronicle.org/church-in-decline-u-s-culture-to-blame/.
- “Churches of Christ in the United States.” https://www.21stcc.com/wp-content/uploads/ccusa/ccusa_stats_sheet.pdf. 2021
- Lake, Mac. 2019. The Multiplication Effect: Building a Leadership Pipeline. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publisher.
- The Connected Generation. 2019. “Key Findings.” Barna Research Group. https://theconnectedgeneration.com/key-findings/.
