Growing Your Church Through Training and Motivation

ARTICLE TOOLS

Find similar articles E-mail this page

If a person can't build deep friendships that include accountability, that person is not ready to lead in the church.
—Daniel Brown with Bob Moeller

Aman who recently joined our fellowship came out of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Three months after his conversion, his daughter died. Then the woman he had been dating broke off their relationship.

As if that weren't enough, his business collapsed; it's now half of what it used to be.

Today, this man comes to three services on Sunday. He can't seem to get enough of God. He's obviously not ready for significant leadership right now. But he's on the way toward the healing that could one day make him a powerful servant leader.

When will that be?

I don't know for sure. The goal is not to get him well enough so he can get on with the real business of the church. He is the real business of the church. But as his brokenness heals, his potential for leadership rises.

Knowing when a broken person is ready to lead can be difficult to determine. So is knowing how to ease them back into responsibility. Here's what I've learned.

I use five tests to measure whether someone is ready for responsibility.

1. Are they honest with themselves?

Recently, a former Navy pilot stood in a meeting and said that his charter-flying business had gone bust. He'd lost everything—his planes, his income, his dream.

He told us how he had struggled with bitterness and disillusionment until someone at church made an offhand comment: "The reason God can't do anything miraculous in your life is because you want to control everything."

That bracing remark started him on a genuine soul-search. He admitted to the Lord that "This whole thing has been about me and my goals for my life." He ...

Like the preview? To read this complete article and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW! Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history. Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
It's easy and quick to join: 2-for-1 Deal. Two powerful resources for 1 great price! A 1-Year Membership to CTLibrary & a 1-year print subscription to the magazine of your choice! Enjoy your first 7days online FREE! Only $49.95 1-Year Membership Plus your first 7 days are FREE! You won't be charged until after your free trial. Only $49.95 1-Month Membership Includes automatic renewal each month. Only $9.95 1-Year for Print Subscribers Special offer if you are currently a print subscriber to Christianity Today, Leadership journal, Books & Culture or Christian History & Biography. Only $29.95 first year Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l		FREE e-Newsletter! Even if you're not a member you can take advantage of the free "Christian News & Research" twice monthly e-newsletter! Sign up today for the FREE e-newsletter!   Note: Members also automatically receive this free e-newsletter.