Here in the USA we are in the midst of one of the most unusual political election cycles in recent memory. In every news cycle we hear about the latest poll, margin of error, trends, and the pundits who are convinced that they can interpret the future for us. Every candidate’s most recent statement, whether it be outrageous or profound, is analyzed to determine whether it has helped or hurt the polls. The sad reality is that the perception of the polls becomes more important than substantive commentary and real stands on issues.
I like the description of leadership expressed by Rosalynn Carter years ago, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”
How are we doing as Christian leaders? Are we more concerned with the “polls” of the opinions of our congregants, or are we leading people to the places that they need to go whether they like the process or even recognize it at the time?
Jesus spent His entire ministry on earth with one focus…the cross. He told His disciples on many occasions that He was going to the cross and even death, and then told the crowd that the only way to follow Him was to deny oneself and to take up your cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34). The evidence is clear that they did not understand it at first. Peter rebuked Jesus right after his great declaration of faith, saying that He should never die (Matthew 16:21-23) and even after the resurrection they were still looking for an earthly kingdom (Acts 1:6). However, Jesus was clear that The Cross was really the only way to life. “He who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25)
Perhaps no one was more articulate with the doctrine of the cross than the Apostle Paul. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). In his description of baptism we are told that we are buried and resurrected with Christ (Romans 6) and in practical living Paul declared that he died daily (1 Corinthians 15:31).
If the cross and death to the old nature is a significant need for all true believers, then we have to ask ourselves, “How is our leadership?” Are we great leaders taking people where they need to go even if it is not the most popular message? Or are we listening to the polls of popularity and, in fact, not leading, but rather following people where they are wandering as sheep without a shepherd?
The pressing need of the day are real leaders who will help people see beyond the immediacy of life to the greater plans and purposes that God has created us for. Jesus is described in Hebrews 12 as enduring the cross for the joy that was set before Him, a focus not just on the death of the cross, but the glorious victory to follow. Let us proclaim the hopeful message of the cross so that we might experience life now and for all of eternity!
John Sprecher is the Lead Elder of the FCA USA.
