THE PRESENT FUTURE–THE RISE OF APOSTOLIC LEADERSHIP
January 20, 2010
The Present Future–The Rise of Apostolic Leadership
If you haven’t read the entry before this one (written earlier today), please do so.
By “Apostolic” leadership, Reggie means–the kind of leadership that will be functional and effective in our “present future” just as it was in the 1st century. The leadership of Jesus that he used to develop his apostles into effective ambassadors resulted in “turning the world upside down” in a very few years. The 21st century in which we live is much like the 1st century in which they lived, so maybe we need to go back to that kind of leadership. How did it happen? What characteristics did they have that so effectively spread the Kingdom?
They were Visional–They didn’t say “come to us” they went to the people. They welcomed all sorts of people into the kingdom. They were committed to the vision of “taking the world for Christ.”
They were Kingdom people–They were all about impacting the world (their communities) for Jesus. They became (as Paul said) “all things to all men so that by all possible means” they might save some.
They were Team players–They did ministry together. Paul didn’t go to the various places he went, alone. He partnered with Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Timothy and Titus among others. Some of the worst times of his life came when he was forced to be alone.
They were Developers–They understood the importance of their role as “equippers.” (Ephesians 4:12) They knew they couldn’t do it all and if the kingdom was to expand others had to be trained.
They were Genuinely spiritual–They didn’t just believe “in God” they believed God. When people saw them they understood that “these men had been with Jesus.”
They were Missional–They believed that the world could be taken for Jesus and gave themselves to that mission. They didn’t get bogged down with “club” duties. (Acts 6:4)
Can you see the need for this kind of leadership? Are you willing to become this kind of leader or follow this kind of leadership? If we are serious about “Kingdom business” then these are characteristics of leadership that will be evident.
Ministers’ Blog
THE PRESENT FUTURE–THE RISE OF APOSTOLIC LEADERSHIP
The Present Future–The Rise of Apostolic Leadership
If you haven’t read the entry before this one (written earlier today), please do so.
By “Apostolic” leadership, Reggie means–the kind of leadership that will be functional and effective in our “present future” just as it was in the 1st century. The leadership of Jesus that he used to develop his apostles into effective ambassadors resulted in “turning the world upside down” in a very few years. The 21st century in which we live is much like the 1st century in which they lived, so maybe we need to go back to that kind of leadership. How did it happen? What characteristics did they have that so effectively spread the Kingdom?
They were Visional–They didn’t say “come to us” they went to the people. They welcomed all sorts of people into the kingdom. They were committed to the vision of “taking the world for Christ.”
They were Kingdom people–They were all about impacting the world (their communities) for Jesus. They became (as Paul said) “all things to all men so that by all possible means” they might save some.
They were Team players–They did ministry together. Paul didn’t go to the various places he went, alone. He partnered with Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Timothy and Titus among others. Some of the worst times of his life came when he was forced to be alone.
They were Developers–They understood the importance of their role as “equippers.” (Ephesians 4:12) They knew they couldn’t do it all and if the kingdom was to expand others had to be trained.
They were Genuinely spiritual–They didn’t just believe “in God” they believed God. When people saw them they understood that “these men had been with Jesus.”
They were Missional–They believed that the world could be taken for Jesus and gave themselves to that mission. They didn’t get bogged down with “club” duties. (Acts 6:4)
Can you see the need for this kind of leadership? Are you willing to become this kind of leader or follow this kind of leadership? If we are serious about “Kingdom business” then these are characteristics of leadership that will be evident.