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4 WWM AUGUST 2011 Leaders like Paul Leadership is in vogue today. There are few topics more popular in secular business circles or in ministry circles than reading a new book or article on that subject. Nearly everyone has heard of John Maxwell, one of my favorite speakers and authors on leadership, and most in ministry circles have read one of his books. I first met him when he came to an evangelism conference for pastors in the Church of God of Prophecy in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1986. Leadership development was the rising star then, and it is still riding the wave of popular demand today. The second letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, is a wonderful, personal letter from Paul about leadership in ministry. Paul’s words are quite different from the concepts often delivered today. I am not saying that today’s precepts are off target, but I do believe we could all benefit from hearing his heart and passion as he wrestled with real pastoral and ministry leadership issues. Paul touches on familiar themes in 2 Corinthians. Ministry Under Pressure—Paul writes transparently about the afflictions and tensions that surround him and his ministry to the Corinthians. How many pastors would not identify with these concepts in their personal ministry experience? Paul shares that he has experienced suffering due to his life devoted to the call of God and the Gospel. At one point, he gives a catalogue list (chapter 11) that would surpass almost any leader: three times beaten with rods, once stoned and left for dead, etc. Also, through the letter, we sense the tension that has built up between the apostle and his spiritual children in Corinth. Paul even tells of one affliction given to him by God after his marvelous heavenly vision. Through all of this, Paul returns to the timeless truth that God speaks to him in chapter 12 and verse 9, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Those words have brought encouragement to multitudes, especially to ministry leaders experiencing affliction. In the fire of any trial, we have this assurance that God’s grace is sufficient. Purpose for Affliction—Paul knows that God has a purpose for all that he encounters. With God, there is nothing lost through coincidence or accident. Paul can see the purpose in the sufferings he mentions in chapter one. He says, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God that raises from the dead” (v. 9). Paul recognizes that suffering always pushes us back to a stance of complete trust in God, and he recognizes this is God’s great purpose in allowing afflictions. This is a key theme. It is articulated excellently in chapter 3, “And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” (vv. 4, 5). As ministers we know that our work can only be accomplished through God’s presence working in us. Treasure in Clay Pots—Paul uses this illustration to highlight the power and beauty of suffering for the glory of God. In chapter 4, he writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (v. 7). He goes on with the powerful assurances, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (v. 8) Recent visitors were telling the Corinthians that an apostle of Christ ought to be glorious and triumphant. They were even so bold as to say that Paul, with all of his suffering, did not portray the glorious calling that an apostle should. No doubt, pastors feel this way at times. But in response to this, Paul pointed to Christ as his model, who humbled Himself and surrendered to mistreatment and the suffering of the cross so that God’s will may be done. Pastors, as we glean all the leadership skills possible today, perhaps we can balance it all with the “suffering servant” perspective of Paul in 2 Corinthians.
South Carolina Church Lends a Hand The East Clemson Christian Fellowship church recently had a newcomer enter its doors for the worship service. He sat quietly in the back, and it wasn’t until much later that anyone noticed he was sitting in a wheelchair. The following week, he came again. This time, he moved himself a little closer to the front of the church. He sang and worshipped and was so happy to be among us as we were just as glad to have him. After the service, our deacon, Rick Merck, in fellowshipping with the newcomer, found out he had rolled his wheelchair from across the road. He and his wife had moved there a while earlier and he was choosing a church to attend. When Rick found out that he had to come from his home, across the street and up a hill, and did not have a ramp to get down from his porch, he announced on a Wednesday night that he wanted to build him a ramp. In just a few minutes, money was given and a group of men had volunteered to meet on Thursday afternoon to start building. Within two hours, the ramp in the picture was finished and Bruce, his wife, Karen, and the men began to pray God’s blessings on his home. Praise God for people who will listen to the voice of God and answer, and for those who are willing to follow to get the job done. —Betty Fisher According to a June 16 report from the Pew Research Center, 79% of adults surveyed said they used the Internet and 59% said they use at least one form of social media (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.). The number has doubled since a sampling from 2008. Facebook also allows people to “revive” dormant relationships. The sampling divided the average Facebook user’s friend list to the following: USER’S STUDY 9% college friends 22% people from high school 8% immediate family 2% neighbors 10% coworkers 7% people from voluntary groups —Source: “Social Networking Sites and Our Lives,” Pew Research Center, June 16, 2011 Join the White Wing Facebook page at www.facebook.com/whitewingmessenger 12% extended family 30% Unclassified Becoming an “Irresistible Church” Wayne Cordeiro, founder and senior pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii, has examined traits of churches that attract new members in The Irresistible Church (Bethany House Publishers). What caused you to write The Irresistible Church? What was the need? People in America have been polled as being spiritual but not religious. This tells me that they are interested in God, not necessarily in church. The church was always designed to be the resplendence of God, a preview of heaven. However, the church is not being perceived that way. What do you mean by “irresistible?” I enumerate twelve markings of an irresistible church, but these may not be what most would think of. I wanted to describe a church that isn’t necessarily irresistible to people, but a church that is irresistible to heaven! One that God uses to bring revival. It is a church that causes God to say, “I just can’t help but be involved with this church!” or “I just can’t help but bless this church!” That is an irresistible church. One of the traits you describe is that “an irresistible church connects everything to a soul.” Please explain. This means that every function of the church is connected to the mission of somehow, somewhere, saving the lost and helping people grow in faith. We cannot settle for being a community of people who rally around any other cause. In the second chapter, you talk about a church that remembers who she is. What do you mean by that? We have so many great models in our country of churches that are doing well, but the down side of the social media and instant information is that we begin to compare ourselves with one another continued on page 28 WWM AUGUST 2011 5
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