Emerging Leaders

One of the misunderstandings among emerging leaders is the expectation they have to do rather than be. J. Robert Clinton says that during most of our lives God is primarily working in the leader, not through the leader. “Most emerging leaders don’t recognize this,” Clinton writes. “They evaluate productivity, activities, fruitfulness, etc. But God is quietly, often in unusual ways, trying to get a leader to see that one ministers out of what one is. God is concerned about what we are.”

We rationalize evangelism, those simple acts of telling because we see a great Christian leader as the preacher in the pulpit or the leaders whose ministries have the greatest productivity. This is far from what God is doing. Clinton emphasizes that rather than trying to mimic another person’s substance and style, “we should be what God intends us to be.” Share Christ the way He wants you do share. Ask God what he has in mind and go do it. Get around people who aren’t afraid to live like this – who are more than willing to step out and act.

I had (am) to learn this the hard way, but I’m grateful that I’m learning this lesson now, early in my life. God willing – I’ll be able to get to know God in an amazing way for the rest of my life.

Young leaders must hear the plea: never hurry God. Don’t think you have to accomplish so much so early. Rather, simply keep the fire burning for your Heavenly Father who loves you dearly and ask Him how you can serve Him, then obey. In time, we’ll know this very clearly. We’ll have the understanding we desire to have. But for now, let's choose God over understanding, okay?