We're reading a new book now. It's Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels. Hybels is lead pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. I have to admit being skeptical about this book at first. What does a pastor of a church of 22,000 on Sunday worship have to say about my church of about 500? Is there really anything that can translate that will help me understand what it takes to be a leader? Having read the book I have to say "yes." Let's look at what Hybels has for us.
His first chapter begins with the worst tragedy and act of terrorism ever perpetrated on humanity, the events of 911. Out of this he came to realize what he knew all along... "The local church is the hope of the world." (p.15) That's a pretty brash statement. But what I hear him saying is that God has chosen to work through these bands of people who come together in hundreds of thousands of street corner chapels, in order to effect the kind of change God desires. If God's Kingdom is to be realized here on earth, then God's people working through the local congregation are truly the hope of the world! Now that's a tall order to fulfill, but exactly what is at stake when we consider where we're called to take our church.
Hybels realizes through another event in his life that it isn't the government, it isn't the schools and it isn't the self-help guru's that are going to change the world and the people in it. It is the people of God sharing the love of God portrayed in Jesus Christ. The church not only has that mission, but I believe God has enabled us and empowered us to have that kind of change potential. Why, because it changed me. I'm no where near perfect, but through Christ and my devotion to him I find that I am far more loving and focused on making a difference in the world than I would have been. Without Christ I would be a successful businessman making a real difference in my bank account and my 401(k). That would better feed and clothe me and my family, but what long term effect would it have on the world.
Hybels concludes this chapter with..."And they must insist with pit bull determination that
the gospel be preached,
the lost be found,
the believers be equipped,
the poor be served,
the lonely be enfolded into the community,
and God gets the credit for it all.
OK, we've got our marching orders... read on.
3 comments:
I really like the Acts 2 dream that Dr. Bilezikian speaks of... builiding an authentic community of people who love each other and who serve others. It's interesting to me that in my other readings of late, some church leaders have taken this Acts 2 model to mean building mega-churches and mega-ministries, which I don't think is what Hybels or Bilezikian meant (although Hybels did end up with a mega).
I appreciate Hybel's thoughts on those gifted with leadership to yield themselves fully to God. That's something that isn't easy, when human ambitions try to get in the way. I'm praying that our Leadership Training group can always keep each other accountable to giving ourselves to God in leadership.
By the way... I had Bilezikian for a seminar class on Biblical Foundations for small group community. He was pretty good.
I've been in other meetings where the Acts 2 dream has been discussed. It's a great vision, but one that seems too far out there for today's cynically-minded society. I think the closest thing we'll see to that vision is what happens in small groups with the rich relationships that get developed there.
Both Hybel's book and the book "Leadership on the Line" have addressed the gift of Leadership, even though the latter may not have meant it in terms of Spiritual Gifts. I'm just curious about those attending this class... how many have the gift of Leadership? Hybel's states they have a special responsibility although, in truth, we all have a responsibility to use our gifts.
Oddly, (maybe not) Leadership isn't even in my top six gifts.
I agree to the thoughts on the Acts 2 church so let me respond to the question on the Spiritual Gift of Leadership.
On review, very few people in our group have the Spiritual gift of leadership. I don't see that as an issue. I don't have the gift of giving, but I am passionate about tithing. I don't have the gift of hospitality, but I am passionate about making people feel welcomed when they come to church. All this is to say that some things that we are not gifted in can be learned skills.
With that in mind, leadership is either taught or thrust upon us at work, school, and family life situations. What I, and others, saw in the people I asked to become a part of this first Leadership Training was evidence of, if not giftedness, an ability to be a leader or a passion for a particular area of ministry that comes across as a desire to lead.
Interestingly enough, I invited 42 people to participate in this pilot year. Only 18 decided to do so. Most of those with the gift of leadership decided not to participate. I don't want to get into analyzing that, it's just an interesting statement.
Well, on to chapter two. Thanks for your input. Hey, everyone else, put your two cents worth in. And if you're not in the group I invite you to pick up a copy of the book Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels in our church book corner. Feel free to jump right in with your opinions.
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