“ When we discern the Spirit’ s work clearly, then there is no separation between discipleship and mission, between character development and leadership.”
How can we grow as maturing disciples of Jesus, while also fulfilling our calling as kingdom leaders?
Often it seems difficult to do both at the same time.
The demands of leadership have the potential to threaten our spiritual vitality and character growth. We have all seen leaders who have ended poorly. Some followed glittering images of success or influence, to the peril of their integrity and spiritual health. There have been times in my own journey of ministry leadership, where a measure of success has made me blind to my character weaknesses and led me to poor decisions. Other leaders sprint forward in active work, running themselves to burnout, and find there is nothing left in their souls. In still others, a small incongruence between their inner and outer lives grows incrementally wider over time, until their integrity is lost and their lives are truly double. Lord, have mercy.
On the other hand, a firm commitment to discipleship growth sometimes feels like it will threaten or limit our leadership advancement. If we make robust commitments to spiritual disciplines or missional involvement, perhaps we will miss out on vocational opportunities? I remember a time when I had a clear personal calling to a season of prayer, discerned with my spiritual director and some close friends. One of several commitments was to spend at least an hour of my work time each day in prayer, in addition to my devotional disciplines. At that same time, I was applying for a promotion. When I shared this particular commitment with the hiring manager, he was quite concerned that I may not be able to handle the demands of the job and also keep all of my spiritual disciplines. In addition, commitments to humble transparency can feel like a threat to leadership. If we are honest( even with ourselves) about our needs for healing and growth in areas of weakness, will we be able or allowed to lead?
Discernment. This is the key spiritual work of Christian leadership.
Mature discernment helps us identify and follow the Holy Spirit’ s lead in our lives both as disciples and leaders. When we discern the Spirit’ s work clearly, then there is no separation between discipleship and mission, between character development and leadership. We follow the Spirit, who is committed to the kingdom of God. The kingdom includes both our formation and our calling.
“ When we discern the Spirit’ s work clearly, then there is no separation between discipleship and mission, between character development and leadership.”
Chapters 3 and 4 of Luke’ s gospel give us an encouraging picture of spiritual discernment as the Holy Spirit leads in Jesus’ life. First, as Jesus is baptized, he has an experience of the Holy Spirit descending on him, and receiving the Father’ s words,“ This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus receives a
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