Perseverance : A Christ-like Quality Church Leaders Need

Being a leader isn't easy. We can face all sorts of issues that can weigh on our souls, encounter people who disagree and stir up conflict, and come under spiritual attack from the devil. Even when we're sure the path we've chosen is God's will, we can find ourselves hurdling one obstacle after another. Sometimes the people we thought to be reliable and loyal disappoint and even betray us. We need Christ-like perseverance so we don't "grow weary and lose heart" and maybe give up and quit (Heb. 12:1-3).

Learn to Persevere from the Example of Jesus Christ

Jesus, "for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame" which eventually resulted in sitting "down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2). He knew His suffering served a bigger picture, one that would bring joy, not just to Himself but also for those who would be saved as a result of His death. Temporary suffering led to a greater good. His beginning was marked with suffering as He endured opposition from sinners, but because He persevered, His end resulted in exaltation.

Sure, as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He would rather not have experienced the betrayal, pain, and agony of the cross, but He willingly remained under suffering to fulfill God's purposes (Matt. 26:36-39). That's what perseverance is -- Greek word, hypomeno (from hupo meaning under and meno meaning to remain).

Like Jesus, we need a big picture perspective. Rather than focus on the difficulties we face, we fix our eyes on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Heb. 12:2). Rather than consume our minds with the stress and anxiety of leadership, we reflect on "Him who endured" so we do "not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb. 12:3).

The Path Toward the Christ-like Quality of Perseverance

Jesus' life demonstrates that ...

"suffering produces perseverance" (Rom. 5:3).
"the testing of your faith produces perseverance" (James 1:3).

Scripture also identifies qualities within us that will enable us to have this perspective in the hardships of leading His Church.

love that causes us to look beyond our own desires and needs (1 Cor. 13:7)
faith in and knowledge of our invisible God to believe all things are possible (Heb. 11:27; 2 Pet. 1:5-7)
moral goodness to have a standard to align with (2 Pet. 1:5-7)
self-control to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" (2 Pet. 1:5-7; Heb. 12:1)

Keep in mind that we don't self-generate these qualities. God has given us a Helper, His Spirit, to live within us and develop that which we need to persevere (Gal. 5:22-23). We simply yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us, keeping "in step with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25). Of critical importance, remember that we don't go through this process alone. God is always with us and promises to give us the wisdom we need if we just ask (James 1:5).

Result of Persevering

Yes, Jesus suffered to the point of death but He also rose again. Jesus' perseverance resulted not only in His own exaltation to "the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2) but also salvation for the world. Hence, in "fixing our eyes on Jesus" we see the following as a result of enduring:

fruitfulness (Lk. 8:15)
building of godly character (Rom. 5:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:5-7)
hope that in the end won't disappoint (Rom. 5:3-5)
deliverance of ourselves and others (1 Tim. 4:16)
maturity and a sense of wholeness (James 1:4)
blessing and reward (Heb. 10:36; James 1:12; 5:11)

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor. 15:58)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Gal. 6:9)

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