Heroes

Each and every church need healthy leaders and servants. The church need people modelling spiritual fervor. I personally wouldn't want to be around critical and Spirit-fire-dousing people. I want to be around people who hunger for God and the truth. I want to be around committed people that aren't easily swayed by Satan's schemes. I have a few people that I love to be around because such people encourage into the next level with God.

Here are a few biblical people that I wish I could spend time with while on earth. Their leadership qualities and love for God still inspires me today:

1. Paul -- Believe in something bigger than yourself. "I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the end of the earth" (Acts 13:47, NASB). He was thoroughly & excessively submissive to the will of God, and he was committed to a specific, meaningful mission. Paul had courage in the face of opposition because he had limitless horizons in his mission. He believed in himself, but he believed in something bigger than himself -- Jesus Christ and him crucified. Jesus is the reason for his undying motivation!

2. Nehemiah -- Build on what God has given you. Nehemiah's leadership was built on His faithfulness with God. He would build the walls of faith. He was not seen in comparison to other great Old Testament heroes. God has given each leader specific gifts. Some are not as visible. All are useful. Some minister's gifts will never be recognized with shouts of joy or approval. Some minister's lives will be spent in out-of-the-way places and unheard of names to the adoring public, but God knows. The measure of a man is faithfulness, not as a person favorably known.

3. Joshua -- Bring the best people to the table. I believe this is very important to God. God wants to use people who desires to serve His will. And ministers will find people with a burning desire to serve God. Joshua had been in the presence of God. "Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so" (Joshua 5:15 ASV). Because of this special blessing, he was appointed as one with judicial powers and responsibilities in Joshua 14:6-15. He didn't say to God, "Come back to me later and ask tell me to take my show off another time. I'm tied up with these priorities of my own." He was courageous as indicated by the spy scenario in Numbers 13:31. He was most likely the envy of other young leaders. But Moses brought him to the table of leadership because he was the best person for the job. My guess is that he had skills Moses admired. Ministers need to bring the best people to the table and then trust them to do their work. Healthy ministers encourage staff. They believe in them because they have skills that are better than their own.

4. Barnabas -- Bridge the gaps of differing opinions. Barnabas was nicknamed "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36, RSV). He bridged the gap between the Greek and Jewish worlds. Born a Cypriot and reared a Levite, he linked the Hellenistic world and the Jerusalem church. He was not an "out-front" kind of person but rather stayed in the background as a fan and supporter of Paul. The most memorable aspect of effective leadership of a minister is when he has survived the various of differing opinions and modeled having each side respect the other.

5. Moses -- Blind your eyes to petty criticism. This is where people do not understand my motive against critical people. I tend to listen in then decide whether it is worth the argument to continue the debate. It all depends on the "critique" and his/her heart. Moses was seen as a patient leader of a people with little faith (Exodus 16:8, 16-20). They complained and whined at every inconvenience (Exodus 15:24, 16:2-3). He did get disgusted. He struck the rock and disobeyed God, but his patience had worn thin. He had had enough. The wise leader will work hard at blinding his or her eyes to the pettiness of church members' criticism. If that doesn't work, he outlasts them. Just about every minister has "struck the rock" at one time or another, but then, like Moses, the same minister usually has the resilience to see things through.

6. Elijah -- Bind the ties of love and courage. Today's phrase calls it "tough love." Some call it a "tough mind and a tender heart." Elijah had both. He loved God. He had the courage to speak to the evils of his day. Where is your God? he asked. "Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened" (1 Kings 18:27, RSV). His sarcasm showed his disappointment for those who had forsaken God. In every effective leader's life, there is a time for love but also a time for courage. Effective leaders have the courage to speak even when it is unpopular to speak because they speak the truth with love. This is where ministers are attacked when they touch sensitive spots.

7. Peter -- Bounce back after you are knocked down. In Matthew 16, Peter was seen as both a "rock" and a "stumbling block." He was both blessed and disgraced almost in the same breath. Discouraged by the disapproval of Jesus, yet blessed by the warmth and affection of Jesus, Peter was down but not out. Resilience may be the cornerstone of effective leadership. You get knocked down, but you bounce back.