the encounter

From #thenines event, Skye Jethani asks, “Where does our legitimacy (in ministry and leadership) come from?”

So many good points. So worth the nine minutes.

If we were to take the things we measure our success by and apply them to the ministry of Jesus — a lot of times we’d have to conclude that he was a failure.

Quite often in ministry, people were leaving Jesus rather than coming to him. By the end of his earthly ministry there was no one left. He was abandoned by everyone. And yet his ministry was a success because he was completely faithful to his father….

We’ve got to get our attention off the tangible outcomes of our ministry as being evidence of our legitimacy and root it in something deeper. That something deeper is exactly what Jesus rooted his ministry in. Jesus said that his bread — what sustained his life — was to do the will of his father…

Jesus had his identity rooted in the fact that he was the beloved son of the father.

How different would our ministries be and our souls be and our joys be if we disconnected our legitimacy from the outcomes of our ministry and instead rooted our identity and legitimacy in the fact that we are sons and daughters of our loving father?

So where does your legitimacy come from? Is it the outcomes of your ministry or your identity in Christ?

Read more about the Daisy Cutter Doctrine.

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I’ve started the new year with a new book: John Piper’s “What Jesus Demands from the World.” For some the title might be a little misleading and sound like an encyclopedia of rules that people must follow, but it is far from that.

The opening lines of the book’s introduction spell out Piper’s intention. “…I am seeking to obey Jesus’ last command: ‘Make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus’ final command was to teach all his commandments.

Piper goes on to say, “Actually, the final command was more precise than that. He did not say, ‘Teach them all my commandments.’ He said, ‘Teach them to observe all my commandments.’”

In those lines I found a stirring reminder of what leadership and ministry are all about. Its one thing to teach people the commandments of God. We can make them attend classes, sit through sermons, memorize verses, and quiz them on what we’ve taught. It is quite another thing however to teach them to observe the commandments of God. Now we’re talking about a level of heart that involves desire, longing, and motivation.

This is the real essence of leadership – creating in others a desire to want to follow. Using position and power to threaten others is weak leadership. People follow, but out of fear instead of desire. Leadership guru, John Maxwell puts it plainly: “Do you want to measure your effectiveness as a leader? Look behind you and see how many people are following you! He who thinks he leads, but has no followers is only going for a walk.”

This principle plays out in marriage, parenting, and employment. Its greatest impact is seen in ministry. Helping people find Christ is never to be about rules, threats, and fear. Jesus seeks followers who will follow him not out of fear or in hopes of earning his favor. Instead he seeks followers who will love him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

I want my family to follow. Not out of fear, but out of love.

I want people to be a part of encounter. Not out of duty, but out of desire.

I want people to follow Christ. Not out of outward threats, but out of inward passion.

God, enlarge our heart to follow you, that we might lead others to follow with their hearts; that they would not just be taught your truth, but have hearts that long to pursue, love, and observe your truth.

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