Christ-like Boards, Committees, Teams: Process-Oriented

To get the greatest benefit from this practicum, make sure you have read related training on the site. Click below to read about Christ-Like Character:

Church Leadership Basics: God’s Heart for the Church

Fix Eyes on Jesus in being Process-Oriented — (Click to enlarge image in Pinterest & repin.)

Church boards, committees, or ministry teams usually form to accomplish certain goals or tasks. If, however, they function solely with their eyes on the goal, or the end result, and miss the process, they can find themselves with unnecessary trouble. Like Jesus, we must keep the goal before us but also concern ourselves with HOW we get there. We must be process-oriented.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:1-3)

Jesus, “the pioneer and perfector of faith” marked out the race for us, according to Hebrews 12:1-3. Think about it: The whole of Jesus’ life was about the process. Why did God send Jesus as a baby, growing into adulthood, until at the age of thirty He began His official ministry? Why didn’t He send Jesus as a grown man? The Bible doesn’t detail all that happened during those years, but obviously God had a reason.

Then Jesus spent three more years discipling people to become fishers of men until He ascended back to heaven. This process involved the challenges of helping sinful men become fully devoted followers who would in turn go through the process of discipling others.

Finally, Jesus endured torture, pain, and agony of heart as He died a cruel death on the cross for our sin. Certainly God could have brought on a quick, painless death rather than making Him go through that grueling process. Yet, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross.” Through it all, Jesus did not sin (1 Jn. 3:5), “leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pet. 2:21-23).

The content in this post is included in the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide along with a brief look at three areas where “how” we function matters.

Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Process-Oriented

All Posts about Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply