Do You Really Believe?

You know I will never be a "name it and claim it" type of leader but I still have a lot of faith - or do I?

We are leaders.  It isn't only what we do but who we are.  Maxwell, Phillips, Collins, Finzel and Paul would all agree with the statement, "Leaders look at everything as a leader, through the eyes of a leader because they are a leader."  We are the ones who are charged with getting it done.  We are the ones who take the hit or cover when another fails to come through.  We are the ones who have to get there first, come back and lead others to that new place.  We are the ones who revive the old place and keep legacy truths in place.  We are the ones who help determine the future or failure of our organizations.

Jesus said that He came to "seek and save the lost" and He also said that "the fields were ripe for harvest" and "I will add to the church."  Do the Christian leaders of today approach ministry with a maintenance attitude or a "Jesus is going to add to the Church today" attitude?  Did our schedules today reflect the attitude that He was going to seek and save that which was lost and bring reconcilation to men?  Do we have faith?  If we do, do we have the actions that prove that faith?

"Faith without works is dead."

It is a fair question to ask - "Do I really believe?"  If I really believe, then who will I share my faith with today?  If I really believe, then will I act as if it is going to happen and be God's instrument of choice - today?

New churches and minsitries are so focused on the disconnected and lost but it isn't too many years until only a remnant does that work while the majority of money and time is spent on retention, transfer and slow growth.  There are not many churches where the majority is actively involved in personal evangelism with the belief that Jesus really wants the world to be saved and that He will add to His church and that the field is ripe for harvest.

What do I believe as a leader today?  What do my works say about my beliefs?  What are my investments in other leaders producing - good works or actual serious growth and mission work?  Do I believe that Jesus wants to introduce Himself to someone today?  Do I believe that He needs me to do that work?

"How will they know unless we tell them?"