The biggest need of the church today is leadership. People are willing to follow God’s vision but have no exposure to vision and/or effective leadership. Over my lifetime while worshiping in church I have noticed decline in the strong leadership in the church and especially the black church. I am a strong believer that everything rises and falls on leadership. The crazy part is that most believers become convinced that when they follow Christ, they must become sheepish, quiet and withdrawn, confusing meekness with weakness. EVERYONE plays a part in leadership in the church and it is OK to question decisions made by leadership without being ostracized.
In March 2009, I took on a major project at my previous church and I was challenged and undermined by the leadership with no opportunity for discussion. I had restriction place on my small leadership role that had never been placed on anyone else in that church. Instead of getting angry I decided to pray and ask God for discernment in what was happening. I exited that place of worship. My sister who stayed at that church has gone through a similar situation in that a new “process” has been added for conflict resolution just for her case. There were six days/opportunities to address this conflict, instead the leader decided to address it during morning worship. All parties were prepared for this new “process” except for my 5 month pregnant sister leaving her to feel embarrassed. Two points came to mind to mind during my study of the book of Micah:
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8
God holds leaders responsible for creating an environment of justice. God holds leaders accountable for creating healthy environments. The people learn to love justice and show mercy when their leader creates an environment for both. In both cases above, leadership created an unfair and unjust environment by not communicating with the parties involved. Morning worship is NOT the venue to resolve personal disputes.
“Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge who accepts brides, the powerful dictate what they desire – they are conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits. Now is the time of their confusion” Micah 7:3, 4
Leaders who fail to practice servant leadership become self-serving. Without a cause to better the overall congregation and worship experience, this leader found a cause to serve their own (and their family’s) interest. This self-service eventually becomes a thorn in everything that will go on. In the examples exhibited, the leader made both decisions based on a personal preference and benefit for them and their family.
Be blessed, #bedynamic
: Tests Of A Man : 
Leave a comment