As Christians, we must watch our behavior extra carefully to be sure we are copying the life of Jesus in everything we do. Have your kids watch this short animated video to learn more about what makes a good Christian leader!
Is unity easy? No. Jesus warned us of “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. The rest of the New Testament alerts us to the dangers Jesus’ followers would continually face. Christian unity would be challenged by smooth talkers, worldly minded leaders, vain philosophies and false doctrines. Unity with those who promote such things is not what Jesus wanted. So, can Christian unity be a reality? It can and is absolutely required. How? Watch this short vlog then listen to the full podcast of the same name for more details.
What do the Scriptures say Christian unity really is? What should we be doing to accomplish it? When do doctrine, character and tradition belong together? When are there legitimate reasons for such things to divide?
Biblical leadership is likened to being a shepherd, however many Christian leaders of our day fall woefully short of this example. So, how do you gain trust, foster teamwork, inspire and evaluate, all at the same time? Watch this short vlog and then listen to the podcast of the same name.
(Part 2 in a 2-part series) About a month ago we began talking about leadership – Christian leadership - and how important it is for a Christian community – any community - to have significant leadership. Without leadership, people tend towards their own way and more than that, without leadership people tend towards a self-centered and incomplete perception of the world around them. Our last conversation revolved around the internal aspects of leadership – what makes a leader from the inside out – today we talk about what makes a leader from the outside in.
(Part 1 in a 2-part series) Leadership – In today’s world, it is one of the most important necessities of life and sadly it is one of the most absent aspects of life. Humanity needs leaders. We need leaders to show us a vision, to clear a path, to walk the path first and to thereby help us walk the path. Christians just like humanity need leaders as well. Sure we have Jesus as the Captain of our faith and sure we have the Apostles, the 12 pillars of Christianity, but we also need those whose examples we can see, touch and relate to here and now, at the end of the age. So, what makes a Christian Leader?
We live in an age and a country of great enlightenment, in which we are all very aware of the need to recognize the rights of all men and women alike. We have laws that specifically forbid discrimination against anyone based on race or gender. We know that it is right (though unfortunately not always practiced) to give a man and a women equal pay for equal work. All of this enlightenment and yet, when we look at the Bible, it seems to undermine these principles. Well, does the Bible teach that women are equal to and as important as men?
As a nation, we are facing what many say is one of the most important elections of our time. What people look for is someone to show them a pathway through difficulties, give them a vision for the future and be trustworthy. That is what leadership is all about. The question is, is that what Christian leadership is all about? What makes a really truly God-blessed Christian leader? Stay with us as we find out!
If you look around the world we live in, you will see all kinds of crises. There are worldwide political, ecological, and social crises. There are family and religious crises. There are national crises of debt, jobs and economy. With all of these varied crises, there is one element that is common to all. I would go as far as to say that if this one element were firm and stable, then the crisis associated with it would be far less of a crisis and much more of an issue. This one element is Leadership. With it, there is a past track record, a present direction and a future vision. Without it, there is – well, without it there is crisis and with that crisis there is diminished hope. While we are not in a position to address most of the crises just mentioned, we will take this morning and address Leadership in Christianity – how important is it and what gives one the ability and the authority to lead?
