Leadership devotions: Fresh Expressions - Isaiah 56:11

Isaiah 56:11    They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain. 

Yesterday I was reading a quote from Bishop Graham Cray who is an Anglican and a leader of the newly formed “Fresh Expressions” organization in the United Kingdom. His quote was something that I heartily agree with, because it addresses the current leadership crisis in the Western church.

Bishop Cray stated, "When I was ordained 37 years ago it took a particularly inept Minister to shrink a church. All of that has changed. It now takes an exceptional minister to prevent decline."

Sadly, I have found this to be true on both sides of the Atlantic. Seminaries and divinity colleges are producing inept pastors who go from church to church creating havoc, or who cannot stay in the ministry beyond five years. I’ve even seen one pastor be given three different churches by the same Presbytery and in each case the congregation diminished. The same pastor is a big voice at Presbytery when it comes to making decisions for new church developments!

In my opinion, the leadership crisis that we face can only be averted by raising up strong leaders who know, believe, and teach the Word of God. There are too many unsound preachers and self-serving seekers in our pulpits, or as Isaiah put it so succinctly, “They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain.” 

So what can we do about it? We can start to pray for leaders to be raised up in the next generation of Christians who will stop the decline and re-grow the Faith. There are some great young people in our congregations who may be called by God to do this. If that is the case, then our work is to encourage, support, and guide them so that they will become strong and faithful Christian leaders to their peers.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You called for leaders from all walks of life to grow the Faith by establishing Your Church. We pray for those of our young people who are feeling called to ministry and we ask that You empower them with Your Word and strengthen them with Your Holy Spirit. In Your Sacred Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Easter drawings called “Star Fall.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6811333724_b8573e54b6_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Street Talkers

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

My wife Evelyn and I were gone for a couple of days this week. We went to one of our favorite cities – Asheville, North Carolina. We enjoy going there and walking in the downtown area. We love looking at the architecture of the buildings, walking along the sidewalks, and seeing the amazing artworks, galleries, and creativity that Asheville has to offer.

But there’s also a “weird” side to the town that just astonishes us and yesterday was no exception. As we were walking up the hill to some of the wee bistros at the top of Patton Ave, we noticed a street vendor and a driver were having a conversation. The driver’s car was stopped at a red light and both people seemed to know each other.

“I haven’t seen you in a while, “said the vendor. “Where have you been?”

In a loud voice, the woman driver answered, “Oh my boyfriend put me in jail for a while. I just got out this week.”

Evelyn and I looked at each other incredulously. This unknown woman was letting everyone know that she had been in jail and didn’t seem to mind who knew. Only in Asheville, I guess.

At one time, we were known to be People of the Book. We tried to live our lives and mold our society on good old fashioned Biblical principles. Now it seems that people no longer live by God’s rules and as the years go past, we become more brazen about our sinful ways and more boastful about breaking the rules.

I worry about the world that our kids are going up in. There’s seems to be no boundaries, no common rules, and no order or decency. The world is becoming more hostile, disloyal, and unfriendly. People no longer live by the Book, only by the rules that they write for themselves.

The world needs true Christian people and our next generation desperately needs faithful Christian leaders. I hope and pray that God will graciously allow them to be raised up amongst them.

Prayer: Lord God, we have carelessly set aside our beliefs and allowed our society to abandon its allegiance to You. We have corrupted our values and been led astray by our own willful and harmful desires. Forgive us, Lord, for not heeding Your words or ways. Raise up strong leaders like Joshua of old, who can help our children and children’s children return to the Promised Land of faith, hope, and love. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.