The Nitty-Gritty Of Spiritual Leadership In A Church

Last week I wrote about spiritual leadership in the context of the local church. I conceded that the term isn’t in the Bible, but I insisted that the reality is, and I described it by way of Scriptural citations. Let’s try this for a definition:

Spiritual leadership is influencing others to join you in obeying the word of God, while following the Spirit of God, as motivated by the love of God. “I’m following Christ; I invite you to join me.”

I said that I would write about what spiritual leadership DOESN’T look like in a congregation, but instead of loading you down with negative examples, I’m going to give you some specific, positive examples from my own experiences and story catching.

(1) Spiritual leadership looks like Christians using their lives, informally, to inspire believers around them to live godly lives.

I’ve seen countless fathers and mothers patiently teaching their children about the true God and the true gospel by way of their words and their deeds.
I’ve heard glowing stories of senior saints who worshipped, praised, prayed, grew in Christ, encouraged others and did the right thing, year after year and decade after decade.
I’ve seen men and women evangelize the lost and disciple new believers, with boldness, wisdom and patience, by way of their friendship and examples.
I’ve seen great Christians who sought out new folks on Sunday mornings, including the down-and-outers neglected by most, giving them the “welcome of God” (Luke 15:17-24).

This is spiritual leadership.

(2) Spiritual leadership looks like Christians, using their lives, to inspire others to do right in times of crisis.

I’ve witnessed senior saints sitting down with foolish young pastors, humbly and respectfully endeavoring to help them learn how to lead God’s people with wisdom and patience.
I’ve seen godly men and women who practiced “going to their brothers” (and sisters) to admonish them in love for their sin issues, entreating them to repent.
I’ve heard mature, brave and godly church leaders – and sometimes followers – speak up during heated business meetings, admonishing the saints around them to treat their fellow believers and church leaders with respect and consideration.
I’ve seen godly people stop the spread of gossip and petitions by refusing to participate and even rebuking those who sought their participation in these bad behaviors.
In times of financial crisis in a congregation, I’ve heard faith-filled believers pray aloud with faith, boldness and humility – and I’ve seen God’s answers!

This is spiritual leadership.

(3) Spiritual leadership looks like an official church leader taking responsibility, as part of a team of leaders, to seek and find the will of God for a congregation.

I’ve been a part of leadership teams which took entire meetings to dig down deep into complex and sensitive Biblical issues, seeking only the mind of God on the subject at hand. (These have been the best meetings I’ve ever been a part of.)
I’ve heard of a church leadership team which prayed incessantly for years, seeking the vision of God for their church. (God answered, and the vision was realized.)
I’ve seen pastoral search teams which took the counsel of my friend Ken Moberg¹to heart: “Time spent by church leaders and search teams in prayer is not preliminary to the main business of the day – it is the main business of the day.”

This is spiritual leadership.

(4) Spiritual leadership looks like an acknowledged church leader taking responsibility, as part of a team of leaders, to make sure that their congregation IS what it is supposed to BE and DOES what it is supposed to DO.

I’ve seen church board members obediently and joyfully take up the true, Biblical tasks of a church leadership team: teaching, leading, protecting, guiding and praying over the members of their congregation.
I’ve seen great church leaders – and great church followers – come to grips with their church’s need for repentance, praying humbly for the experience of having “Jesus Christ, obviously present and actively in charge” of their churches (Oliver Price²).

This is spiritual leadership.

(5) Spiritual leadership looks like an acknowledged church leader taking responsibility, as part of a team of fiduciaries (individuals who are entrusted to act in behalf of the group or organization) for the moral and theological purity, the spiritual health, the integrity, the soundness and the mission of a congregation.

I’ve seen church leaders go up against decades of tradition to call for the church’s departure from denominations which have gone astray theologically.
I’ve seen brave men and women join their pastors in doing right in emotionally difficult church discipline situations.
I’ve seen church members boldly and humbly participate in prayerful, Bible-saturated, strategic planning processes which resulted in significant changes in the day-to-day activity of their congregation.
I’ve seen board members join with their pastors in courageously leading their congregations to become truly missional; changing whatever needed to be changed and praying passionately until their church became effective at making disciples of Jesus.

This is spiritual leadership.

Talk about it: Which of Brian’s bullet point examples have YOU witnessed?

Can you name the names of good people who have done these good things in your church?

……………………………………..

¹Moberg, Ken, Help, We Just Lost Our Pastor!, Next Step Resources, p. 24

²Price, Oliver, Pray With Christ Obviously Present And Actively In Charge, Shepherds Publishing, p. 11

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I've appreciated so much Brian's very practical coaching as he's guided me and the leadership of our church as we've sought to become more effective for God's kingdom. His extensive experience in assisting churches navigate a variety of issues makes him highly qualified to help lead churches through congregational change.
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Andy Shanholtz

Leadership development within cohorts and peer groups has become increasingly popular, and rightfully so. Being involved in Brian’s leadership training group allowed me the opportunity to work through challenges, develop strengths and learn from both reading and peer development.

Pastor Jed Manders

"I have been so privileged and encouraged to be ministered to by Brian Thorstad as I have served as an Interim Pastor here in central Wisconsin.  He has been such a help and encouragement to me and especially, to this church I have served - Faith Community Church of Waupaca.  His leadership in helping us develop the “Journey Wall” enabled us to look back on the church’s history, the high points as well as the difficulties faced, especially in recent years.   Brian has helped FCC recover from a very difficult time…  Brian was such an encouragement to us, especially in the early months of recovery and preparation."
Pastor Mark Pitroff

“I enjoyed getting to know the guys in the group [and] I appreciated the thought, mind and spiritual challenges presented… I found many things that I was able to immediately apply, and I am still developing next steps that much of the discussion and training of this class helped to build a foundation for. [The handouts on strategic planning] will continue to be helpful in trying to guide our church to being more intentional. This [was] exactly what I was looking for at exactly the time I needed it.”
Pastor Dan Norman

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Pastor Steven Boyd

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Pastor Brian Schley

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