Two Out of Three IS Bad!

As I stated, I and several pastors from the area attended a Church Growth workshop last Tuesday in Indianapolis. It was a good meeting in spite of the weather and much less than ideal driving conditions. I would have to say I heard nothing earth shattering there…it was the basic, common sense what to do and what not to do stuff. However, one thing I heard, again, has been resonating with me since the meeting. I, or any leader for that matter, cannot take you where I have never been. Now, that sounds simplistic, but think of the ramifications of that statement. You will not grow spiritually if I am not growing spiritually. You will not worship if I do not worship…are you beginning to see the awesome responsibility of leaders? Certainly the pastor, but also worship leaders, musicians, teachers…all leaders! God has wired us in such a way that we cannot successfully tell someone how to worship God if we are not worshiping God ourselves! Oh, we can offer some spiel about what you should do, or suggest a book to read, but if I do not worship God, eventually that is going to show…not only in my life, but also in yours! That, my friends, is accountability to a higher degree! Reminds me of something I’ve said before (I think here) explaining why the Church seems to lack power and direction. Acts 6:3 gives us the basic qualifications for leaders in the church…aside from giftedness; "they are to be respected, wise, and filled with the Holy Spirit." Church leaders are not to have one or two of these qualities, but all three…anything less is a recipe for disaster.