The Church - Structured for Impact Part 2

A few weeks ago we started looking at God’s design in the structure of His church. The importance of healthy structure for Kingdom impact.

Spurgeon called the church “the dearest place in earth.” If that is true, as Spurgeon believed, then we need to take this seriously because this isn’t only Spurgeon’s opinion, but an echo of the Bible writers and in particular, a response to the demonstration of Christ’s love for the church. 

Part of God’s design for the Church, is that it remains the dearest place of earth, and the church is led to help others embrace and cherish Christ and find His church to be the dearest place on earth.

For that mission, God has designed His church because the church has been designed for impact - God’s way!

We have already started the Church needs structure. The structure is set up so that the can be what it’s meant to be and do what it’s meant to do. This is where the subject of leadership comes in.

This is relevant for us as we look ahead as a church and look at ways that we can strengthen our leadership in the church for greater Kingdom impact.

Hebrews 13:17–18 CSB

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.

This is specifically speaking about the leaders in the church, but it could be applied to any area of leadership in the church and those under them.

What this is saying is that the church doen’t simply need leadership, we need...

1. The right leadership

1.1. They keep watch over your souls

As the writer to the Hebrews observes about what is good in their leaders, he recognises that they are serious about watching over the souls of the people in their care.

I have read many books on leadership, many even by church leaders, but many are promoting a good thing, but not the main things e.g. vision, skill, innovation, growth dynamics - generally a management style of leadership in the church that overlooks the soul and rather than looking after souls. Positive outcomes but necessarily godly ones.

Richard Blackaby says the same thing:

“Much secular leadership theory is based on presuppositions that may appear sound yet promote ideas contrary to the Scriptures. They leave God out!”

For the care of the soul, God is crucial! We don’t want a more professional approach to leadership, but rather a great spiritual leadership which in turn becomes something that has eternal fruitfulness rather than momentary success.

Richard Blackaby defines spiritual leadership like this:

“Spiritual Leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda”

Now, that’s taking care of your soul!

For me to care well for your soul I need to be leading you to the saviour of your soul. I need to be rooting you in the Gospel of His grace. My desire should be to see you walk in the fullness of life that God has given you. The big goal of God’s word is more than imparting information but seeing hearts transformed by the truth of God’s Word.

So, we want spiritual leadership to be effective in this, but if spiritual leaders are going to keep effective care over your souls there are a number of things that I believe are important.

1.1.1. They must be caring for their own soul

Ultimately we want to see leaders finish well. One will never finish well if they carried the attitude that they have made it. There are so many things that cause leaders not finish well.

2 big challenges for every leader…

I. Their own pride.

II. The idolatry of their ministry.

Again, Paul said to Timothy, “watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Tim 4:16). Leaders who do not have a vital relationship with the Lord themselves will not be able to lead others where they have not gone. The truth about all leadership is that we are in need of the same grace that we are leading others into.

When we choose leaders, we do not first look at those who we like, or who is popular, or who is influential, but the spiritually qualified. 

Is there clear evidence that He is walking with God?

1.1.2. They must care for their family’s souls

A spiritual leader must manage his home well. Understand this, if a spiritual leader fails in his family, he fails in his leadership.

1.1.3. They must be pursuing God’s agenda

We are continually confronted by what is going on around us through social media which, we must realise, has the ability to make things look bnetter than they are. We get ideas, compare ourselves, and we grow frustrated with our church because we are not matching the church down the road. What if we need to be more concverned with asking what is God’s agenda for this church? This is where we look to leadership. 

How will he know this? He needs to be sitting before God and hearing from God! We should want that.

No wonder the apostles, in Acts 6, calls the church to appoint leaders so that they can be committed to the ministry of the Word and prayer. But they choose men with a good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom. This wasn’t just a vote, this was recognising those who embraced God’s heart and ways.

1.2. What they can expect

They can expect to give an account of their leadership and care over your souls. Do you know why?

You are God’s church!

What a great responsibility to carry. The leaders concern is for your soul knowing that they will give an account to God for how they have lead His church.

2. Your responsibility towards leadership

2.1. Obey and submit to your leaders

Why should we be doing this? Here are some good reasons!

2.1.1. Leadership is established by God

Acts 20:28 CSB

28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

It’s actually one of those things which is about God more than about man.

2.1.2. Leadership is ultimately answerable to God

It makes sense since this is His church.

What does this mean for us?

2.2. Make their work a joy

Don’t you love the way it says, “so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Seek your joy in their joy, which is ultimately God’s joy.

This is to your advantage!

When there is no joy in serving and leading the church, as there should be, how will that serve you? Make their work a joy! This is a Biblically consistent approach to leadership.

2.3. Pray for your leaders

Hebrews 13:18 CSB

18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.

3. The benefit for all

3.1. Your good - you are being led to Jesus

3.2. Church health - we are led by the great Shepherd

3.3. Kingdom impact - we carry the xheart of the Good Shepherd

3.4. Doing God’s will

This is summed up here in ver 20-21

Hebrews 13:20–21 CSB

Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.