Our Leaders vs. Jesus'

Introduction

How many of you have enough leaders?

Chronic problem

Deplete a few leaders who are overworked — probably you (Pastoral Burnout)

Our current approach to leadership development isn’t working.

Contrast that with Jesus.

He invested his life in twelve men.

Those twelve men became leaders that early church followed into martyrdom.

What’s the difference in the way Jesus developed leaders and the way we develop leaders?

We don’t look where Jesus looked.

Who has leadership potential in your church?

We typically have a profile we’re looking for.

But, what if the leaders we need are in the last place we’d look?

Jesus’ looks in different places than we look.

Matthew 9:9–10 ESV

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.

Would you have thought to look in the tax booth?

We want five star talents. We want MBA’s and successful business leaders. Jesus wanted a tax collector who would follow him.

We’re looking where the world looks, and we’re not getting what God gives.

To endure a quick a personal story:

Large youth group at my church — licensed 10 guys into the ministry minus one (me) — i showed no potential — I’ve pastored that same church the last ten years.

Look where Jesus would look.

Space for surprises

We don’t teach how Jesus taught.

I love to ask various groups what comes into their mind when they think of the Great Commission.

People says: missions, evangelism, go, baptize.

I’ve never had anyone say: Teach

“Teaching them” is just as essential to the Great Commission as baptizing them.

So, what did Jesus mean by “teach”?

After having invested every day for 3.5 years in the lives of these men, it’s hard to believe that He had in mind a 6 week Bible study with muffins.

Jesus taught by instruction.

He told them.

Here’s where we often stop.

our Bible studies are not producing leaders

Jesus taught by illustration.

He showed them as He told them, and He told them as He showed them.

Lots of time with them living it in front of them.

Thomas and taking ppl with you

Jesus taught by immersion.

Matthew 14:16 “But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.””

Mike Breen:

I do; you watch.

I do; you help.

You do; I help.

You do; I watch.

Learning to play golf. book —> video —> missed ball

Let’s teach how Jesus taught.

We don’t send when Jesus sent.

We want to send Seal Team Six.

Jesus sent a paintball team.

Jesus sent them before they were ready.

Matthew 10:16 ““Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Jesus sent them after they messed up.

Peter’s renewal

The church is the only place where you can’t mess up.

Jesus sent them to do the big jobs.

Matthew 28 — I’m building my church THROUGH YOU.

Jesus delegated the building of the church to fishermen.

If you want people to lead, give them something to do that matters.

Don’t keep all the hard stuff for yourself.

Send it man! Send it!