A Call to Spiritual Leadership

(Part Two)

As the Sunday School administrator in a local church, you are in a strategic position of spiritual as well as administrative leadership. Because the mission of spiritual leadership is great, it is reassuring to know that God always equips those He calls.

An example of one who was called, equipped, and used by God is the apostle Paul. To deal with the problems of different kinds of people and churches, Paul obviously possessed some important qualities. Among these were zealousness, expendability, and perseverance. As we look at his life and ministry, it is evident that Paul diligently sought to develop all these leadership qualities.

Zeal

The word zeal refers to the enthusiasm that bubbles or boils up in the heart. The secret of Paul's unabated zeal can be found in Romans 12:11: "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (NIV). To maintain our zeal and intensity, the warming ministry of the Holy Spirit must be our source of heat. Allow Him to fuel your fire of zeal.

The secular mind may equate zeal for God with insanity. In God's sight, however, it is the highest form of wisdom. The zealous, enthusiastic leader will deeply and permanently impress his followers. Remember how Paul sought to emulate Christ, his Lord, and the ideal he modeled for his converts?

Zealousness is aggressive Christian-ity. It involves more than words. Zealousness determines to do what God says we need to do, no matter how it feels, or how difficult it is, or how much it costs.

Have you evaluated your level of zeal recently? Are you willing to say, "That would be great for our Sunday School; I know we can do it?"

Expendability

Another essential characteristic of Christian leadership is expendability, which is our usability and the extent to which we give ourselves to the Lord. Paul said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). God expects you "His leader" to be a living sacrifice. It is your reasonable service!

Frequently the first reaction to extra responsibility in Christian service is, "But that's not reasonable." But it is your reasonable service to be expendable. Being expendable is what God expects from every believer, but especially from spiritual leaders.

As an administrator, ask yourself, "How expendable am I, and how expendable are the resources (i.e., family, finances, health, talents) God has entrusted to me?" As you give yourself to the Lord, you will be expendable and usable, and you will fulfill the will of God.

Perseverance

The spiritual leader exhibits perseverance, or persistence to carry on until a task is completed. If you have confidence in God and believe He means what He says, you will persist.

Perseverance forcibly presses ahead. It works diligently to bring to pass visions and goals. It determines to do what God has called us to do.

Perseverance also leads to excellence. In The Making of a Christian Leader, Ted Engstrom tells us that excellence demands we be true to the best of what God has given us (i.e., gifts, talents, abilities).

Leaders who persevere and seek the things of God will achieve excellence. Are you bothered by mediocrity? Do you experience flat spots? Pursue the best in what God has called you to do, and you will enjoy excellence as a Sunday School superintendent or whatever else you choose to do.