Rudy Sanchez
TBC Newsletter
May 1998

THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE

Church leadership is a problem today.

Leadership can be described as a sense of balance, and the good leader will not confuse leadership with power. Some good leaders have been buried under the earthliness of being in control rather than rejoicing in the paradise of servanthood.

The best examples of leadership are found in the Word of God. Judges 5:2 says, "When the princes...take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves."

In our present day, as in the days of the past, people want leaders who will challenge them. The Apostle Paul told the Ephesians (4:11-12) that God called out leaders "to prepare the people of God into service and ministry."

Scripture well says in Hebrews 12:28 that "we...offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe."

Leaders are persons of influence. In this difficult age of "virtues lost" we are asking God to give us leaders who are willing to pay the price and live out their calling before the people.

The laity needs "spiritual giants" and leaders who will fulfill the will of God and not just fit some fancy of their peers.

A pastor-leader is one who has a purpose, and who focuses on the vision of God, and lives that out in their lives, humbly, before the people.

For this to happen, there must be a key thing: a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture which comes to mind is Colossians 2:6-7. "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."

These recent controversies we have been involved with are with those in the fold of God, who seemingly will not be happy until they control what only God can and does control.

Brethren, we must live what we have been taught: "The body of Christ must get along."

Leadership has been given to the church so that all of us--leader and co-laborer alike--will be edified.

Let's say to one another, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."

Cervantes said it thus: "En la Union se hace la fuerza." That means, "In the unity is made the force."