Why Leaders are Important in the Church
Each of Us have a Different Job to Do
By Mike Andrews
When it comes to leadership and responsibility in Christianity, many think of how ‘strong’ a person is: how much money you have, your level of education, your speaking abilities, or even your marketing knowledge. These may seem to be good qualities for leadership but these are not true biblical qualities for leadership. Ezra and Nehemiah were men chosen by God to do a certain task by getting Jerusalem restored to their former days. They were men who had love and compassion for those around them. John Stott says "Indignation and compassion form a powerful combination. They are indispensable to vision, and therefore to leadership."
Ezra was a preacher who had a concern for the people of Israel. He was a man who prepared his heart by studying, practising and teaching God’s Word (Ezra 7:6-10) to the nation of Israel. He was a man who committed his life to do what the Lord called him to do. Because of their immoral behaviour, God used Ezra to ignite a great revival among the Israelites. (Ezra 10:11-12) "Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives." Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, "Yes! As you have said, so we must do." The nation of Israel was restored through the repentance for their crime against a Holy God. Ezra was used to restore the souls of the Israelites. As the chief spiritual leader, and having been given divine authority, Ezra had a great responsibility. He lived up to his responsibility and also had a deep desire to please a holy God.
Nehemiah was a man of natural-born leadership qualities, who wanted the nation to get busy and rebuild the walls that had been destroyed. He was a man of integrity who wanted to accomplish a common goal. Nehemiah also had a concern for the nation, and desired that everyone do their part and help in the reconstruction. Amazingly, Nehemiah first went to the Lord in prayer "remember, I pray the word that You commanded Your servant Moses..(Neh 1:8-11). Nehemiah had a huge task at hand, organizing and delegating to others their part in this long and hard task. His responsibility had great resistance and he faced great criticism. They questioned his authority (Neh 2:19), they challenged his ability (Neh 4:3), and they challenged his character or authenticity. But again, he was a strong-willed leader who had one vision to rebuild the wall and praise the Lord through it all.
Every one of God’s people have a different job to do. Some are pastors, some are evangelists, some are missionaries; but He has called all of us to do service unto Him. Ezra and Nehemiah are men of great importance, one restored the people through the word of God. The other saw a concern for the nation and found a way through prayer to get the nation to work together and do what was required of each and every person as children of the Living God. Paul couldn’t have said it any clearer to the believers at Colosse "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Col 3:23).
By Mike Andrews
When it comes to leadership and responsibility in Christianity, many think of how ‘strong’ a person is: how much money you have, your level of education, your speaking abilities, or even your marketing knowledge. These may seem to be good qualities for leadership but these are not true biblical qualities for leadership. Ezra and Nehemiah were men chosen by God to do a certain task by getting Jerusalem restored to their former days. They were men who had love and compassion for those around them. John Stott says "Indignation and compassion form a powerful combination. They are indispensable to vision, and therefore to leadership."
Ezra was a preacher who had a concern for the people of Israel. He was a man who prepared his heart by studying, practising and teaching God’s Word (Ezra 7:6-10) to the nation of Israel. He was a man who committed his life to do what the Lord called him to do. Because of their immoral behaviour, God used Ezra to ignite a great revival among the Israelites. (Ezra 10:11-12) "Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives." Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, "Yes! As you have said, so we must do." The nation of Israel was restored through the repentance for their crime against a Holy God. Ezra was used to restore the souls of the Israelites. As the chief spiritual leader, and having been given divine authority, Ezra had a great responsibility. He lived up to his responsibility and also had a deep desire to please a holy God.
Nehemiah was a man of natural-born leadership qualities, who wanted the nation to get busy and rebuild the walls that had been destroyed. He was a man of integrity who wanted to accomplish a common goal. Nehemiah also had a concern for the nation, and desired that everyone do their part and help in the reconstruction. Amazingly, Nehemiah first went to the Lord in prayer "remember, I pray the word that You commanded Your servant Moses..(Neh 1:8-11). Nehemiah had a huge task at hand, organizing and delegating to others their part in this long and hard task. His responsibility had great resistance and he faced great criticism. They questioned his authority (Neh 2:19), they challenged his ability (Neh 4:3), and they challenged his character or authenticity. But again, he was a strong-willed leader who had one vision to rebuild the wall and praise the Lord through it all.
Every one of God’s people have a different job to do. Some are pastors, some are evangelists, some are missionaries; but He has called all of us to do service unto Him. Ezra and Nehemiah are men of great importance, one restored the people through the word of God. The other saw a concern for the nation and found a way through prayer to get the nation to work together and do what was required of each and every person as children of the Living God. Paul couldn’t have said it any clearer to the believers at Colosse "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Col 3:23).
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