Monday, June 23, 2008

Follow-the-Leader, Lead-the-Follower

Leaders must know those that labor among them. Some people are sent to assist the ministry for an extended time, and others are leaders-in-training. The problem with many ministries today is that many leaders treat everyone like "eternal followers," instead of realizing that it is important to develop leaders as well. Dance ministers should be trained to dance and minister as the Lord is leading.

In our natural lives, it is not viewed as "normal" to live at home with our parents well into our adult years. Why is this happening spiritually so often in the church? The concept is that we are trained to be productive, responsible members of society once we leave home. Unfortunately, many today are being labeled as "unsubmitted" when leaving the spiritual "church home" to continue to learn and develop in a new place.

Many frustrated dance leaders feel as though they are being stifled by church programs and corporate visions and are not being released into the calling on their lives. There must be balance. We understand that there is a season for development and training, but David did not stay in the field with the sheep his entire life. His time spent there provided the patience and skill needed to manage many responsibilities to come.

Many leaders today would not be leaders if they did not seek training from many qualified teachers. Even educational institutes provide students with a variety of qualified teachers. Wise counsel is obtained through various sources, all weighed according to the Word of God. No one person should control or dictate our lives. Leaders that cannot discern the difference between training servants and developing capable leaders can potentially suffocate the function of the Body and hinder spiritual health in the lives of many.

Ruth 3:6 (NKJV)
So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.

Psalm 2:10 (NKJV)
Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Proverbs 19:20 (NKJV)
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.

Acts 18:24-26 (NKJV)
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately

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