11-02-97...................To Lead or not to Lead? .............Neh.2:17-3:6

God’s Charge to the Candidate.

By Ronald E. George Jr.

Scripture Text: Nehe 2:17-3:6

Nehe 2:17 (KJS) Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we [are] in, how Jerusalem [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. 18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for [this] good [work]. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard [it], they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What [is] this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? 20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. 2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. {next unto...: Heb. at his hand} 3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who [also] laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. 4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. 5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord. 6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

Are we as the church, the leaders in the community that we need to be to make a difference. If a way is not found for church leadership teams to break the bondage of ineffective leadership models, there will be no church renewal. This is how crucial the renewal of existing leaders is to the cause of Christ. If renewal is to take place, it must begin at the leadership level. Poor lay leadership is linked to poor pastoral leadership. Pastors are frustrated, and lay people are uninspired. All are dropping out in greater numbers than ever. They are angry and bitter and have sworn off future church involvement. Some of the happiest people I know are elated to be ex-church leaders. Leaders make or break any plan, program or attempt to renew a congregation. If the leaders are open to and seriously pursue personal renewal, then the congregation will follow. The problem is that, as a whole, church leader are not leading. Many will not lead. Some cannot lead. And others do not know how to lead. --Bill Hull

Everything rises and falls on leadership. If the church rises to be the best it can be it will be because of the leaders of that congregation who have stepped out into the community to be the leaders that God has called them to be.

Who is the Leader in the church? The one that everyone follows. Jesus is the head, but who are the earthly leaders? Anyone who has heard the call of God and seen the Vision of God and is willing to follow. A leader must be willing to step out and lead by getting in front of someone. Will you be a leader to someone? Will you be the one that God uses to accomplish His work in this world and in your community and in your own household? If a person thinks they are a leader and has no one following they are only taking a walk. A church leader can be a little boy or whomever God chooses.

1. God’s Leader gets in touch with the Lord. This is why we do the work. We have received a vision and a call from God. God’s hand was upon Neh. V.18 The only way to lead in the church is to stay in touch with the master so you will know how to lead others. Tell them of the hand of the Lord that is upon you.

2. God’s Leader builds bridges to meet the needs of the vision v. 17What are we here for? What is your purpose for being in the church? Connect people to God. Building Bridges to the World. Would you build to the benefit of others. This is building the church. Unselfish and giving to others. "That we be no more of a reproach." Are you the leader that God has called you to be?

3. God’s leader gets to work. What are we supposed to do? Exercise your gift. Consecration and sacrifice are the foundation posts of the work. It’s the toughest Job you will ever love.Don't take a position of leadership in church unless you are prepared to be honest, pure, and loving in your lifestyle. Leadership is a privilege, and with privilege comes responsibility. God holds teachers of His truth doubly responsible because we who lead are in a position where we can either draw people toward Christ or drive them away from Him. Deacon or servant is one that stirs up the dust. Let us rise up and build. V. 18 Each one did his/her part of the work for the wall to be completed

4. God’s Leader works together with others for the benefit of everyone. Who are you supposed to do it with. V.18 let us arise and build. Build up your family and build up the house of God. You, your wife, your family, and the whole body of Christ. (your church and all of the other churches who preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.) Set the example…with your family.

Don Bennett is a Seattle businessman who decided he wanted to climb Washington's Mount Ranier. It's a stiff climb to the peak of the 14,410-foot summit, but so many individuals have made the climb that it no longer merits getting your name in the newspaper. For Don Bennet, however, the climb was a remarkable achievement, and papers nationwide carried the news of the first amputee ever to reach Mount Ranier's summit. In their book, The Leadership Challenge, Kouzes and Posner tell the story of how Bennett made the climb on one leg and two crutches. Asked to share the most important lesson he learned from his celebrated achievement, Bennett spoke of the team of individuals who helped him attain his dream, and commented, "You can't do it alone." The same can be said of building an effective church. Any church that seeks to be effective must mobilize a host of leaders who will team with the pastor to fulfill the church's goals.

5. God’s Leader is willing to change (Grow) under the leading of the Lord. This is the Spirit of the Work of the Lord V. 18 let us arise and build. Willing to take a risk. Take a chance on the Lord.. Build or Die… Keeping God as the true leader of the church.

6. God’s Leader ignores the laughter and the scoffers. How we are supposed to do it? Persistence .. No matter what we will build. Don’t be hindered by those who won’t work or those who don’t care if the work gets done. You have been called to God to do the work of God. Don’t stoop down to the level of those who want to stop the work.

7. God’s leader remembers the way to do the work and he/she goes first. Chap. 3:1 the priests built and sanctified and the nobles wouldn’t put their necks to the work.

Will you go First? Come to pray for your church.