Spiritual Leadership – Battle of Announcing

Let me tell you a story about a 30-something man who after years of wrestling with God arrived at our church. He had been brought up in the church and at 19 years of age, living a life for God, he felt called to ministry. During college, he changed priorities and worked in the arts and theater more than he invested in God. He probably could have done both but instead he chose the typical, liberal, arts lifestyle with the worst of its habits.

Years later, we met and I joined the many others who had been doing minsitry over the years in his life. I watched him change, grow, get married and finally answer that call. After 18 months in service in the church, he was still at a peak and in better shape than ever before. His role at the time was not leadership but service. Everyone watched this man blossom. His heart for ministry was strong, his life was improving, he was being selfless, he was invested in God. Finally it happened, he told the elders of his call long ago to be in the ministry and how he was now sensing a renewal of that call. There was a concensus that he had the gift, the natural ability to connect with the people and a desire. I saw the call. It was October and everyone agreed to pray.

Everyone continued to pray and look for God’s time to announce his call to the Church and to train him for an Associate Position. In Decemeber, just before Christmas, this man’s past came at him. Quickly, he had to decide between a sinful habit of old or his new life. He had to decide between the Church and the World, between God and himself, between self pleasure and ministry. He chose poorly and God’s people were gypped that day. The Church was gypped during that day. He and his now ex-wife were gypped during that day.

What happened? If only he had listened to the warnings of those around him. If only he had heard elders' warnings and wisdom as they waited, prayed and watched. Instead, he fell in the battle – the Battle of Announcing the Call.

I have seen this battle fought countless times and in countless ways. Perhaps for Satan, the common spiritual enemy of Christian spiritual leaders, it is the last final effort before someone finds success in living their call. Perhaps this battle is fought more fiercely by the enemy because his opponent is one who has now gone “public” with a leadership call and a loss for the Christian leader will be public and affect more people. Perhaps the enemy just wants to mess up ministry and try to prevent it. Regardless, this battle is always fought and fought well by the enemy.

Especially to the younger leader, the announcement of a new call is followed by assualts from within – “Remember what you did back…”, “If they ever find out…”, and “Who says you can do this…” The battle is sometimes fought in ressurecting all of the old temptations and battles and at other times through financial attack, physical attack or stress. No matter how it is fought, this battle will be fought between God and Satan in the life of the believer who announces a call to spiritual leadership.

Battles consist of trials and temptations. Satan clearly tempts and seeks to destroy. God on the other hand does not tempt anyone but he can allow the believer to be tested and tried. He does not allow trial to find flaws and to make sure that the believer can “do it”. God already knows that the believer can win, can survive and can be true to Him(it is the message of the Gospel and the Spirit). Trials are where the leader puts into practice all he has learned, learns more and where he relies on God to even the next level in his life. Leaders must succeed and endure through trials and temptations or they will no longer be leaders – for, leaders must be able to take people to success not just tell them about it.

Most importantly, as leaders face trials and temptations, they will either be instruments of shame or glory for the Gospel of Christ. After all, trials are where God is glorified as believers choose him instead of the world.

Whether the battle is from the enemy because we live in a fallen world or whether each battle is allowed as trial from God, I cannot say. I can say this, “When you get ready to announce a new call, make sure that you are strong, ready and on alert.” The Battle of Announcing will come in some form or fashion. It maycome in wave after wave until the enemy sees that it is useless or until he wins. It may be short or long but the battle will come.

The road to a call is long and full of learning. The battle is fierce and defeat can come quickly but if you stand, there is a lifetime of reward. Do not be fooled – live up to the call and stand with your Father as you make the announcement. Do not fail to follow because of fear. The enemy does not have to be feared but his ability to destroy leaders who announce a new “call of God” should be acknowledged and wisely countered. If we don’t stand – who will?