Character Of A Spiritual Leader

God has a vision for every Christian congregation. When God discloses that vision to a congregational leader, it is his or her responsibility to articulate the vision to the rest of the congregation. Sometimes the church receives the vision with joy, moving quickly ahead. Often the vision is met with resistance instead. Comfortable with the way things are, threatened by the possibility of change, too often we question the vision, resisting the direction in which the Spirit would lead us. What is a congregational leader to do? Says Dick Wills, realize that God is God, and you are not. God's purposes will be accomplished; we are finally not the ones responsible for the vision, but God is. Armed with that knowledge, the leader can then focus on the way in which s/he goes about fulfilling god's call to be a champion of the vision. If we pressure or manipulate people into accepting what we propose, then we have failed our calling. However, if we deal with people with love and respect, then we are likely to have prepared their hearts for what God would disclose to them. The key is the character of the leader. Genuine change cannot be brought about by leaders focusing on themselves. Resistance to change can only be overcome by those whose first concern is the spiritual well being of those with whom they work, and whose passion for the vision is controlled by their awareness that God is sovereign, not themselves.