COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP
Bill Keele
A congregation may not generally be aware of
the courage it takes to be an elder. It
is therefore the purpose of this article to point out some of the areas where elders
have to show a special and spiritual courage in their leadership.
AN ELDER is a man,
subject to error of judgment. Yet, he
must have the courage to make decisions knowing he could be wrong. It is not possible to know 100% of all things
before reaching a decision.
AN ELDER is a man, enjoying the approval of those he
leads. Yet, he must have the courage to
make decisions based upon his spiritual and intellectual judgment, knowing it
may cost him favor of the church.
AN ELDER is a husband,
aware of the frailty of the human family.
Yet, he must proceed with courage in leadership, knowing that his family
will, by association, fall heir to some criticisms directed to him.
AN ELDER is a man, a student of mankind and time. Yet, he cannot remain simply a student, he
must become a teacher, knowing that the ultimate direction of the church and
its growth in the future depends upon his reactions today.
AN ELDER is a man, conscious of the weight of
responsibility. Yet, he must have the
courage to trust others with responsibility.
Knowing they may fumble, they may quit, or they may ignore the
assignment.
AN ELDER is a man, awed by the power of God. Yet, his love for souls of men causes him to accept
the office of bishop knowing that one day he will stand in God’s presence and
give account of his own dealings with those he was to lead.
It is likely that no man on earth would
accept the challenge of leading as an elder if God had not promised wisdom from
above, inner strength of character, and His eternal presence.