Leadership and Reformation

History is punctuated with incidents of dark days, tough times and uncompromising courageous leaders. We will briefly examine several of them. Their courage and effectiveness will establish two principles; (1) God always has a remnant faithful to Him, and, (2) God always accomplishes His purposes through leaders who live and serve to honor Him. Do you meet this profile? Are you a leader who is capable of bringing Reformation?

Gideon faced his struggle in dark times with 32,000 men. Too many God said. 22,000 departed, 10,000 remained. Too many God said. Take them down to the water. 300 lapped like a dog. Now I will deliver Israel (Judges 7).

Hezekiah faced the incessant taunts and bellicose threats of Sennacherib. He was given the option of making a bargain. He chose rather to pray and trust His God (2 Kings 19:15). 185,000 Assyrian soldiers "woke up dead" (2 Kings 19:35)!

Asa served when Israel had been a long time without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law (2 Chron. 15:3). He heard the voice of the prophet and 'took courage'. He removed the detestable idols and God gave them rest on every side (2 Chron. 15:15).

"When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith" (Abraham Kuyper, Dutch Theologian and Prime Minister, 1837 - 1920).

Does the church in America need Reformation? 2% are growing numerically by conversion growth. 14% are growing numerically by transfer growth ( sheep (sic) swapping). That means that 84 % are ????? Further, how many churches/ministries even make any attempt to measure Transformation (Rom. 12:2)? This is the principle focus of ministry = make disciples fully formed in the image of Christ!

What qualities are required to lead in this fashion? I will mention three that are essential.

Courage - the capacity to trust God unconditionally and serve with Kingdom priorities.
Compassion - truly love God's people as He does and lead as He would. Lead not lord.
Perseverance - stay on course regardless of the odds (Gideon), the threats (Hezekiah) or the apparent impossibility of the task (Asa).

Pastor, do you see the urgent need for reformation? What would you share with your fellow servants as we fight the good fight?