ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”

(I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor and Walter Contreras)

Lesson 35

INTRODUCTION

Many people complain about the condition of the Church today. We would be wiser to pray more and complain less. One great man of God was asked if he was discouraged over the condition of the Church today – especially in the western world. He answered that he is sometimes disappointed but never discouraged. That is a wise answer.

Many pastors and congregants are seeking the Holy Spirit to become the head of their Assemblies as He was in the book of Acts. The following simple outline is what is beginning to take place in many local Church’s around the world. I call it simply God’s eight-fold goal for the local Church and I hope it will be an encouragement to pastor’s and the flock’s they lead.

A GROUNDED CHURCH – (Grounded on the foundation of repentance and restitution.)

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn form their wicked ways, then will I hear form heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

A GATHERED CHURCH – (Where believers enjoy coming together for mutual exhortation and edification.)

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”(Hebrews 10:25)

A GIFTED CHURCH – (Where each believer seeks, finds and uses his/ her God-given gifts, abilities and talents for the mutual blessing of the body of Christ.)

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:5-8)

A GROWING CHURCH (Where no believer – including pastors – ever “arrives” but all continue to grow in knowledge of, and obedience to, the Word of God.)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here an there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

(Ephesians 4:13-16)

A GOING CHURCH (Where each believer is challenged to be a witness for Christ and the Holy Spirit chooses some of them for full-time service including going to the mission fields of the world.)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(Act 1:8)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

(Matthew 28:19)

A GIVING CHURCH (Where believers give from the bottom of their hearts – not from the top of their purse.)

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

A GOVERNED CHURCH (Directed by the Holy Spirit and Spirit-led leaders to develop “disciples in shoes” not “darlings in pews”.)

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

A GLORIOUS CHURCH (Where God’s glorious presence is manifested in a body of believers whose lives are filled with obedience to God and unconditional love for each other.)

“And to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:27)