“I’m at my rope’s end. I’ve tried everything and our church isn’t growing.” This scenario plays out more than the average person knows. Pastors and other church leaders are weekly relenting similar statements. Could this be part of the reason so many pastors change churches every three years? Certainly. Countless times I have had pastors say to me over the years, “I’ve taken this church as far as I can take it. It’s time for me to move on.”
To expound on those statements, most would admit they realize church growth is not up to them, but to God. Their rationale is that God is apparently finished with them at their current church and wanting him to move on. My thought is this is not always the case. I usually attempt to coach the pastor in determining God’s true desire. Yet, second year frustrations and that third-year wall seem insurmountable to many pastors.
Is it possible what we need today is more Apostolic leadership? Every generation needs apostolic leadership. You might query, “But, we have spiritual leaders. Isn’t that the same?”
Many are called into spiritual leadership. Church/spiritual leadership does not always equate to apostolic leadership. Spiritual leadership can be interpreted as someone who studies to properly expound the Word of God. While this is absolutely needed, expounding the Word does not always indicate Apostolic leading. To be honest in some churches, a spiritual leader is a preacher who brings a message from God’s word Sunday morning and evening, leads a prayer meeting on Wednesday, and does little to ruffle the feathers of congregants. Let the sleeping dog lie so to speak. If feathers are ruffled, pastors are asked to leave.
Apostolic leadership is more than preaching and teaching. Apostolic leaders not only strive to move the needle forward in carrying out God’s purposes in their own lives, they also learn how to motivate others to do the same. An Apostolic leader is more than a spiritual figurehead for the local church, he will be motivated to carry the torch and bring others along, even if it starts with only one or two.
Entrepreneurially he knows you build from one or two and allow God to provide the growth. You find those few willing and motivate them to join you. You plant the seeds, water, cultivate, and allow God to provide the growth.
Not only a spiritual teacher, torch bearer, motivator, and entrepreneur, an Apostolic leader is also a spiritual catalyst. A catalyst is a promoter, facilitator, and spark plug to ignite and channel the fuel for progressive effective ministry. To be a catalyst you must by God’s Holy Spirit capture the hearts and creativity of believers. Thus, moving believers into intentionally and continually striving to fulfill God’s directives by their own convictions. Bring them along, train them up.
This is what gets the wheels of the train on the right track and moving in the right direction – forward movement. After all the church in the book of Acts was not an institution but a movement. What can you do this week to begin the forward movement of the church in Acts back into your life and your church? You are not at your rope’s end, but at the beginning of a new rope of God’s work.
What would you add to an apostolic leader’s description?
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.