Several years ago a friend and I were ask to lead a worship services at an assisted living/retirement home. According to the manager of the facility, it would be just like starting a church. These people missed their traditional church services, singing hymns, and “old-tyme”, hellfire, and brimstone preaching. Someone above us on the pastoral food chain thought we were the right ones for the job. Good experience for two guys called to vocational ministry who had very little experience leading anything. We were a bit cocky… perhaps arrogant… all we wanted to do was (insert southern, backwoods preacher voice)“preach the word of God” and “sing the blessed hymns of the faith” and perhaps “snatch a few wayward, hell bound, gutter hardened… elderly people… out of the pit of darkness into the marvelous light” (end southern, backwoods preacher voice).

Scott Thomas reflects on the Value of a Pastoral Family Above Reproach on the Acts 29 site. Sound words for an era when far too many leaders in the church have a family life that is out-of-synch with their church life. I’ve always believed one of the most accurate indicators of a real church leader is their family life. A strong family usually means a strong leader. A weak, fractured or disfunctional family life is a telling warning sign.

Mark Driscoll observes that no movement of God will be born without the leadership experiencing labor pains.

No explanation needed.

Bob
Fides Quaerens Intellectum

Theology Pub Guys…

In light of what David brought to the Pub for discussion last time…

the links below is Mark Driscoll teaching on Qualifications of Elders, Deacons and General leadership. This stuff is hard hitting and brutally honest. I suggest you put on your spiritual cup and devote a couple of hours to listening to the lessons.

This stuff is amazingly practical and life changing!!!

Check out the following blog from Steve Addison:

www.steveaddison.net/2006/11/16/leaders-who-finish-well.html

The blog mentions the following traits of leaders who finish well:

1. They maintain a personal vibrant relationship with God right up to the end.
2. They maintain a learning posture and can learn from various kinds of sources—life especially.
3. They manifest Christ-likeness in character as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.
4. Truth is lived out in their lives so that convictions and promises of God are seen to be real.
5. They leave behind one or more ultimate contributions.