Immovable Spiritual Leadership

In the “resurrection chapter” of the Bible, I Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul concludes with this wonderful encouragement to believers in Jesus: “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58, ESV). Later on in the New Testament time, the Apostle Peter challenges believers in light of the “roaring lion” nature of our enemy’s assault, “Resist him immovable (firm) in the faith” (2 Peter 5:8-9). Encouragements like this imply that as believers we will be tempted to become discouraged or distracted and not stay immovable in Him and His work.

Hardly a month goes by that I do not receive word that yet another spiritual leader that I personally know or is well-known by many has slipped away from being immovable in the faith and their calling as a pastor or ministry leader. In observing some of the pitfalls that tripped up these faithful followers of Jesus, I have committed my life to several non-negotiable priorities that I believe can help us all to finish well in our journey of faith with the Lord.

#1 Use the power of our ministry positions to empower others rather than promote ourselves.

It was not very long after the birth of the church and it’s spread around the known world, that the Apostle John mentioned Diotrephes, “who likes to put himself first” (3 John 9). As we serve the Lord and influence others for His glory and their good, it is very tempting to take advantage of that influential power to promote our own significance. The Apostle Peter warned fellow church leaders “shepherd the flock of God...not domineering over those in your charge” (I Peter 5:2-3). We all have heard the saying, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Spiritual leaders who finish well walk humbly with their God and seek to empower those they lead rather than promoting themselves. I love what the Apostle Paul wrote to a very troubled Corinthian church. “But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm” (2 Corinthians 1:24, NLT). A second priority that is demonstrated in the scripture that will keep us immovable in our faith is...

#2 Prioritize people over programs.

Jesus was about ministering to people not maintaining agendas or programs. This is not to say that ministry programs are not necessary. It’s a matter of priority. As believers who serve the Lord in local churches and other ministry contexts, it is very tempting to focus on our branding, our vision, or our programs rather than staying committed to spurring others on in their faith. The Pharisees in the New Testament time struggled with this. You remember that time when Jesus healed the man who could not walk at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18)? The healing happened on the Sabbath. Jesus miraculously heals this man who was crippled for 38 years. He told the man to take up his bed and walk. The Pharisees totally missed the wonderful gift Jesus had given this man and the new life he now had and focused, instead, on the fact that he was carrying his bed, thus “breaking the rule of no work” on the Sabbath. The Pharisees failed to lead the nation of Israel to receive their Messiah, the Lord Jesus, because they were more concerned about their man-made rules being followed than the transforming work of our Savior in this man’s life. A third priority that will help us to stay immovable in the faith as we serve the Lord is...

#3 Prioritize godliness over giftedness.

There are many examples in the scriptures of leaders who found their significance in what they could do for God rather than finding their identity in prioritizing intimacy with their Lord. In my lifetime of ministry this pitfall has derailed many of my personally known fellow-leaders as well as many well-known servants of the Lord. Very, very gifted men and women whose ministries expanded around the world forgot their number one priority to pursue intimacy with their Lord. The eternal impact of their giftedness was cut off or tainted by their failure to pursue godliness. The self-deception that they were entitled to ignore the pursuit of holiness in their personal lives shipwrecked their faith and fruitfulness. The story of Samson found in Judges 16 is a telling example of this pitfall. Samson was a man wonderfully gifted by God with physical strength. He let it go to his head so to speak and in pride he pursued his own passions. His downfall is recorded in these telling words, “And he awoke from his sleep and said, "I will go out as at other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him” (Judges 16:20, ESV).

God has called us and empowered us with His Spirit to be immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord! May we give attention to these three priorities in our faith journey so that one day we might hear our Savior say, “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).