Spiritual Leadership Of Pastor In Missions

Text: I Peter 5:1-4   LBC World Missions Conference 2006      3/2/06

By Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

   Spiritual leadership of pastor in missions is a relevant subject to be considered and to be applied appropriately by all mission-minded Pastors and Missionaries so they could fulfill the Great Commission and meet the contemporary needs of their World Missions Program. Having a good knowledge of Spiritual Leadership in Missions is a plus. Learning its principles is investing and applying it meticulously is rewarding and God-glorifying. 

   Studying Leadership in the light of the Scriptures is the best way of gaining a wider scope of knowledge and understanding concerning Christian Ministry. The Lord Jesus Christ should be our example to follow and a strict adherence to the principles of truth will surely pave our way to a remarkable spreading of the Gospel.

   As the world becomes more chaotic and hopeless, Christians should not just sit down and do nothing about it. Believers should act responsibly to the needs of the lost and pray to God for more workers to go to the mission field. It should be our prayer also to ask God for spiritual leaders to handle mission works effectively.

   We need godly pastors and leaders to educate, motivate, strengthen and lead others to walk by faith and to have the determination to pursue our ultimate goal of reaching lost souls globally. We need spiritual leaders whose eyes have the capacity to perceive the unseen enemies and could see outstanding success beyond the horizon of impossibility. We need selfless leaders who could train others to become future leaders. In short, we need leaders with Christ-like attitude in our Local Churches today. Through Bible principles, we could set up a Bible-based mission program that would greatly demonstrate the power of God.

            (I) The Pastors and Mission Leaders We Need Today

     I Peter 5:1-4       Philippians 4:11-13  

     -Leaders who are following the steps of 

      the Chief Shepherd

     -Leaders who are sensitive to the

      leading of the Holy Spirit

     -Leaders who want to glorify Our

      Heavenly Father

     -Leaders who have special love for the

      Lord and His Word

     -Leaders who have compassion for lost

      souls

     -Leaders who have a servant’s heart

     -Leaders who walk by faith

     -Leaders who are watchful and prayerful

     -Leaders who have a godly lifestyle

     -Leaders who have God-given

      knowledge, understanding and wisdom

      to handle the “ins and outs” of a

      mission program

   One essential thing every servant of God must realize is the importance and power of having close communion with God. The time and depth a servant spends communing with God determine his victory over the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. A servant of the Lord who lives in deep spirituality surely stands head and shoulders above others. His life will dramatically inspire the present generation. He will go in the way of the earth, but his motivating testimony will live and be well-spoken of and will touch many lives for the glory of God.

             (II) The War They Must Be Aware Of

                  Acts 26:15-18   

                  II Corinthians 10:4-6  Acts 13:1-12

                  Acts 5:1-3

      Spiritual warfare

   Spiritual leaders must consider and be well familiar with spiritual warfare and not be ignorant of the adversary’s many faces in the war zone. Many Christians have little knowledge or are not even aware of spiritual warfare, and consequently, indifferent attitude, spiritual stagnancy and unproductiveness creep in to their lives. Church spiritual leaders are responsible of teaching their congregations about this spiritual battle so believers may fully understand their vital role and be equipped in fighting for the Truth.   

     -Internal warfare

   Most of decisive battles are being fought within man’s thought life. It’s an internal warfare in an unseen place. It’s a war involving good and evil within us. It’s a war that could produce one’s significant decision to get involve or not in fulfilling the Great Commission. Obviously, the devil doesn’t want us to live a holy life and be involved in mission giving. He is against people who would like to form mission teams so they could spread the Gospel of Christ. The adversary is doing his best to hinder believers so that unbelievers will remain shackled in the dark.  

            (III) The Power They Must Use

      Matthew 28:18     Romans 1:16

      Hebrews 4:12

      -The power of God    I Corinthians 2:1-5

      -The power of the Gospel

      -The power of the Word of God

   The power of God is beyond man’s imagination; the power of the Gospel is so amazing; and the power of the Word of God is undeniable. Knowing all these things, we have the confidence and assurance that we are on the winning side.

             (IV) The Message They Must Teach and Preach

        Mark 16:15   I Corinthians 15:1-4

        -The Gospel of Christ

        -Bible-based Messages

   The Gospel and the Gospel Rule of Life must be the major subjects of preachers and teachers. Their godly lives must be the living fruits and proofs of what they teach and preach. Teachers who do not live by their teachings are like jumbled letters of the word "teachers" - they become cheaters.      

             (V) The Scope Of Their Mission 

       Mark 16:15

       -Local, regional, national and global

   The believers’ working area when it comes to the spreading of the Gospel should not be confined within one’s locality, region, nation, but through out the whole world. The Lord said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Every spiritual leader must think progressive and go global.        

             (VI) The Cost Of Their Task

        Romans 10:13-15

        -Salvation is free but the spreading the

         Gospel is costly

        -Can never be compared with their future

         rewards

   It took Jesus’ precious blood and His life for human race to enjoy God’s salvation. Salvation is a gift of God, and it’s free, but it cost much labor and money to go global and spread the Good News. However difficult and costly it may seem to reach lost souls these days especially in critical areas, but the cost of the task can never be compared with the joy we experience every time a sinner is being led to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   In I Thessalonians 2:19-20, it is written, For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. (KJV) Beyond this chaotic world, soul winners will surely be rewarded for the glory of God. Get involved in mission work, and truly, you will never be disappointed.

             (VII) The Supporters They Need

        Romans 10:13-15     Luke 8:1-3

        -Believers with unquestionable faith

   Men and women of faith are the kind of supporters every mission-oriented ministry needs in their worldwide mission activities. We cannot imagine having a good mission team with an efficient mission leader but being supported by skeptical people. We really need strong leaders with faithful supporters. There is no such thing as “one man show” in the mission field.         

       -Prayerful supporters

   Prayerful believers play a very significant role in supporting missionaries in the mission field. In II Thessalonians 3:1-3, it is written, Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (KJV) Prayerful supporters are powerful supporters.

       -Supporters with sacrificial attitude

        toward giving

   Behind remarkable Christian victories are supporters with sacrificial attitude toward giving. Sacrificing pricey things for priceless things is a brilliant mind-set of great winners. A timely sacrifice is an excellent manifestation of love, intelligence and maturity.         

       -Supporters with great love for the

        Lord

   The love of gold surely keeps a man from loving God; the love of the world keeps a professing Christian from living by the Word; but a true believer who loves the Lord will undoubtedly support the Lord’s Ministry in this present world. Supporters with great love for the Lord give strength and motivate missionaries in the Lord’s vineyard.      

       -Supporters with great compassion for

        lost souls

   Compassion-triggered evangelization cannot be hindered, not even by the whole host of Satan. Compassionate workers and supporters working as a team will surely achieve a remarkable success.      

             (VIII) The Limited Time They Use

         Ephesians 5:15-17

   Many Christians are not aware of the limited time they have in this present world and that’s simply the reason why they tend to relax in their comfort zone, not thinking that they are greatly needed in the war zone, especially in the front line. In Ephesians 5:15-17, it is written, See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (KJV)  These verses remind every Christian not to spend his time foolishly, but wisely in the center of God’s will.

   The Bible tells us that the devil is fully aware of the shortness of his time, hence, he is doing his best to hinder the spreading of the Gospel. In contrast, many Christians are not good stewards of their limited time. They overlook their privilege to support World Mission Program and their opportunity to win souls for Christ. Certainly, they are victims of misplaced priority. What a shame on our part if we neglect the debt we must pay. In Romans 1:14-16, it is written, I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (KJV)          

   Apparently, we are racing against time, we are facing tough enemies, but through faith in Christ, it is certain that the victory is ours. We really need to pray for more Christ-like leaders in the war zone.