On Christian Leadership
Challenge of consumerism.
- Giving my life to Christ – and even coming to Church on Sunday – is one of a million good options.
- Americans are shoppers, we do the math and make the call. But it’s not a purchase, it’s a relationship, and those MUST be handled differently.
- However, we do minister to a consumer culture – we have to meet them where they are …
- Big question to you; “Who are the customers of this parish? Is it the members of the parish?”
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Leadership: I’m talking about this because we are blessing our new parish board this morning, but these words are not just to challenge them, but all of us – including me! Three points.
Every Soldier is a Rifleman;
- And every parish leader is a committed Orthodox Christian
- Lead from the front, by example – so that others will follow.
- First in prayer, first in sacrifice, first in charity, first in patience, first in peace, and first in building up others.
- It is more than just a scandal and stumbling block when Christian leaders fail to lead by example, it is blasphemy: dishonoring the Name of God.
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23: 13-15)
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. (St. Mark 9:24)
“It’s not about you/me and what I/you want – it’s about the mission. Leaders ‘serve’ the mission.”
- Everyone has opinions. I have opinions. Our board members have opinions. But we only have one agenda – to serve the one thing needful and to lead others to do the same.
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (St. Mark 10:42-45)
Divisiveness is death to organizations – especially to parishes
- Ours is a conciliar system; neither I nor your bishop nor the parish board, will Lord it over you.
- I, with the guidance of my bishop (and the Gospel) and taking into consideration your needs and the needs of this and the broader community, will provide the vision for the parish
- Then we work together to implement this vision, offering all of our talents to the Glory of God. The parish council plays a critical role in this as ministry leaders, as advisors, and as the institution entrusted with the spiritual and physical health of this parish.
I assure you, that we do take that calling seriously. Do not fall into the temptation of divisiveness, grumbling, and gossip; ministries are wonderful, but factions are a curse of the devil.
I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chlo′e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apol′los,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
It is an awesome thing to be a member of the royal priesthood – it offers tremendous blessings … but it also has duties and responsibilities. Let us all take those responsibilities seriously and rededicated ourselves to Our Lord Jesus Christ and to His mission to save the world. Let us be:
- Devout orthodox Christians, so that others may see our way of life and be led by our example to worship the God who is in heaven.
- Leaders who are forsake manipulation, Monday-morning quarterbacking, grumbling, and divisive behavior; but rather work toward the unity of all.
