Jesus Style Leadership 3 - Crop & FaithSampel

Practical Faith Visions

Leadership Lesson

Faith visions can be very practical.

Read Acts 6:1-6.

Comment

The early Jerusalem church consisted of two major Jewish/Christian groups: those who had a Hebrew background (language and culture) and those who had a Greek background. These groups were clashing over the distribution of food to needy widows. The Greek Jews felt that their widows were missing out. The unity of God’s brand-new church was at stake. The church leaders needed to know God’s way forward (a faith vision), and they needed it fast. An obvious solution was to jump in and take over the food distribution program themselves. But that was not God’s plan. God told them to stay in their lane, to continue to focus on prayer and teaching, and to throw the issue back to the church to choose seven godly men to oversee the program. You can see God’s fingerprints all over this solution and the unity it produced. Not all faith visions are big dreams for the distant future. Jesus-style leaders need to hear God’s voice as they deal with the immediate and practical problems they face. That’s why it’s essential for Jesus-style leaders not to get distracted from prayer, even when there are other pressing and urgent needs. Squeaky wheels and tight schedules can drown out God’s voice. The Twelve knew that.

Prayer

There are so many things that I could do, but I know that can’t lead well if I’m rushing from one thing to the next. Help me to get my priorities right and share my responsibilities with others so that I can make sure that I hear your voice and follow your call. Help me make time to spend with you throughout the day so that I will keep in step with you and hear your voice when you speak.

Personal Reflection

Are you facing a practical problem that has not really been a focus of your prayer? You have not been listening to God for the way forward. If so, spend some time seeking God’s revelation—His faith vision for this issue.