Church Leaders: Be a Guide

Though the Bible does not come right out and call leaders guides, it's the logical conclusion to some realities clearly presented in Scripture:
 
1) God is the power source. (2 Pet. 1:3)
2) God is the ultimate source of wisdom. (Prov. 2:6)
3) God is the source of growth. (1 Cor. 3:7)
4) Jesus is the One with all authority. (Matt. 28:18)
5) Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. (1 Pet. 5:1-4)
6) Jesus is the Head of the Church. (Eph. 4:15-16)
 
Human leaders cannot know all, see all, do all, and be all ... despite expectations people put on them or that are self-imposed. What they can do, however is guide people to the One who is all in all, who knows the beginning from the end and with whom nothing is impossible.
  • Leaders do not have to know all the answers but they do need to know where to take people for wisdom.
  • Leaders do not have to demonstrate all the required abilities but they do need to know where to take people for the power.
  • Leaders do not have to possess all the means but they do need to know where to take people for the resources.

Church Leaders Guide People to the One who Does Know All, See All, Do All, and is All in All

Seeing oneself as a guide provides the perspective that keeps a leader from becoming a controller. As guides, leaders are more facilitators putting into place that which points people to the Lord as the Source. Guides can be considered conduits through whom God brings people to the One who can Sustain them. Guides can be viewed as coaches encouraging people to turn to the Lord as the All Sufficient One.
 
To be a guide, you need to make sure you know the way and that it isn't blocked by your own sin, ignorance, or pride.
He (Jesus) also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? (Lk. 6:39)
 
... if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? (Rom. 2:19-23)
 
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matt. 7:3-5)
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