All churches experience seasons of storms, struggles and setbacks if they are pursing a God-sized, God-ordained vision. It is godly leadership that helps us navigate the storms and comeback from a setback.
What’s the most current storm, struggle or setback you’ve experienced? Do you sense God is with you?
Possibilities are endless, both big and small:
- Culture shifts that are difficult to discern
- Easter is coming and the enemy is messing with you.
- A church merger that went bad
- A growing sense of anxiousness about change
- Prolonged financial pressures
- Loss of a pastor
- The process of succession is struggling
- Division within the church
Strong and stable sounds like a church we would all appreciate, one we’d like be part of its community and mission.
However, strength and stability doesn’t prevent storms and struggles from hitting your church, but it helps you make it through them.
Strength and stability are great companions and ultimately reflect the people (and leaders) more than the structure of the organization.
Strength in leadership refers to being strong-minded about the mission & vision, determined to make progress, committed to finding a way, and possessing the fortitude to stand under pressure.
Stability in leadership refers a clear sense of who you are, conviction through values, (not easily swayed by pressure) and the steadiness to pursue the vision over a very long period of time.
We all have weaknesses to overcome and seasons that lack stability, but through the power of Christ we are able to find our strength, conviction, character and resolve.
5 Characteristics That Help Us Cultivate and Demonstrate Strength and Stability
1. A Deep and Abiding Commitment to Prayer
There is no greater power available to the church than prayer. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit as our guide, teacher, and prompter. It’s up to us to pray.
The power of prayer is unlocked by belief and unleashed through practice. Faith and faithfulness are the bookends of prayer.
You don’t have to be “good” at prayer, just consistent. In fact, its kind of hard to pray wrong. Come before God with a humble spirit, worship him, and tell God what’s on your heart.
It’s not easy to move an entire congregation toward consistency in prayer. Don’t be discouraged in your leadership toward that end.
Prayer (and tithing) are the two most challenging biblical practices to lead your congregation to embrace. However, it can be done through one person, one message, one example, and one story at a time.
Be careful not to judge those under your care. Continue to set the example and encourage them. You are not wasting your efforts.
2. A Spirit-Prompted Ability To Discern the Culture
Discerning, anticipating and interpreting the movements of culture is the most challenging responsibility of church leaders today. Your conclusions determine how you communicate the gospel and lead your church forward.
- Discerning culture requires wisdom to understand what’s really happening in real time.
- Anticipating culture requires leadership to have a sense of what’s coming next.
- Interpreting culture requires knowledge and experience to know what to do about it.
Failure to understand the community (culture) we serve, limits the impact of our vision because we then fail to connect and communicate with those we desire to serve.
Except for the gospel, its not about the programs we have to offer, it begins with what people need.
Becoming a student of human nature and human interaction at the level of cultural movement will bring great insight to your ministry leadership.
