The Forgotten Calling of Church Leaders

We as leaders in the church are a called people, chosen to lead God’s people back to God on a daily basis, whether they are looking for him or not. But our calling is not what you might expect. We are not called to productivity or results. We are not called to strategies or success. We are not even called to the people we serve or the work God gives us.

We are called to God himself.

The leaders of God’s church have much work to do, plenty of things to keep them busy and occupy their time, and they are good things! The work God has for us is good and to be obeyed. However, before participating in the “work” of leading the church, we are called to intimacy with God.

When Jesus chose his twelve disciples, He called “those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.” (Mark 3:13) Only after Jesus had called these men to himself did he task them with what they were to do, which was to preach, heal, and cast out demons. In short, they were to use words to say and miracles to display the kingdom of Heaven, but only after and out of their proximity to Jesus himself.

In the church, our calling as leaders is to be with Jesus. The command is come, follow him, and abide, for apart from Jesus we can do nothing. (John 15:5) Only out of rich union with the Father through Jesus can we pay attention to the work and words of the Holy Spirit in, through, and around us. No other way can we see the providential leading of God when a ministry is unable to gain momentum/finances/volunteers and others deem it a failure. No other way can we speak a difficult and unpopular truth when speaking something more palatable would be more sensible. No other way can we remain in the will of God immediately following a major breakthrough or move of God, when it is most tempting to celebrate and bask in the goodness of the gift when the Giver is already on the move, ready to do more good through us for someone else.

Abiding. Intimacy. Nearness. Entering into our calling to knowing and being with Jesus is the only way to accomplish the work God has for us in His way and His will. And be sure not to confuse our work with our worship. Just because you spend time doing the work of the ministry doesn’t insure you are vitally connected to the One who gave you the work in the first place. Personal prayer must come before professional intercession. Allowing the Scriptures to pierce us must proceed presentations of God’s Word to others. Constant conversation with our Savior has to happen before we counsel His people. Prioritizing our calling to connection with Christ can turn our work into worship, but if we miss this step, we will inevitably end up worshiping our work.