Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture
The category of church leadership is where I post thoughts about what church leaders should be doing to lead their congregations. I also seek to address the motivation that should be behind the desire to lead. The good leader will not only know what to do, but should first know why he is to do it.
Some church does something. It appears to be successful based on attendance numbers. Others then seek to find the method or program that was used to generate the good result. We shorten the sermon, use video feeds, turn up the music, redesign the décor, or hire consultants to try to produce similar results.
The answer given is, “Christ’s exaltation consists in his rising again from the dead on the third day; in ascending into heaven; in sitting at the right hand of God the Father; and in coming to judge the world at the last day.”
The shiny wrapping will not keep people coming in for the same reason that I am unlikely to ever buy a chocolate Easter bunny ever again. As always, what is on the inside is what counts.
We can also be encouraged by the thought that through his death on our behalf, Jesus also secured the ultimate defeat of our enemy. He will one day return to complete the victory over evil and make everything right.
Question 25 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, How does Christ fill the office of a priest?
In leading the church, we need to understand that second place is first winner when we surrender to Christ and allow him to build his church. We win because Jesus can make something more beautiful than we can even imagine.
Question 24 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, How does Christ fill the office of a prophet? The answer given is, Christ fills the office of a prophet in revealing to us by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our complete salvation. The purpose of a prophet is to speak the words … Read more
Jesus is the only one who has demonstrated the ability and the authority to fulfill all three of these offices in combination in one person.