“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,
these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9 NKJV
Back in the early part of the 21st century, a pioneer missionary by the name of Joe Watkins first taught the Missions & Church-Planting class at Berean Bible Institute. This veteran with Things to Come Mission blazed a trail in the Philippines & was a legend in the eyes of those of us in his class & he eventually became our friend. He challenged us to be Pauline in our doctrinal foundation & practical application. For example, Pastor Watkins had us open our Bibles to Philippians 4:9 & instructed us to circle the two-letter word DO. This exercise was meant to solidify in our minds the importance of being balanced in ministry by living “according to the methods of Apostle Paul.” God’s people must therefore initiate decisive action to build a leadership culture at home, at church, & in the community to raise up a new generation of pastors, missionaries, & Christian leaders to serve God wherever He leads (2 Tim. 2:2; 3:10-11).
1. Building a Leadership Culture…AT HOME – Eph.6:4 cf. Pr.24:3-4.
God’s design is for the Christian worldview to be built upon a biblical foundation from the ground up rather than being imposed upon our progeny from the top down. As they own what they believe & why they believe it through Christ-centered spiritual disciplines in the morning such as…
- Systematic Bible Reading (One Year Bible)
- Prayer Journaling (Notebook or 3 Ring Binder)
- Scripture Memorization (3×5 cards & repetition)
By cultivating spiritual muscle, truth becomes internalized by Holy Spirit power. Evening spiritual disciplines are also significant as families prioritize…
- Suppertime Around the Family Table
- Discuss Highlights of the Day & World Events
- Champion “Family Worship”
What the saints of old called “Family Worship” is that spiritual discipline where Dad leads his family in…
- Singing Praise to GOD
- Biblical Instruction
- Prayer (everyone taking turns)
Topping off the week, building a leadership culture at home culminates with the corporate worship of God’s people in the local church as the pillar and ground of doctrinal truth in every community.
2. Building a Leadership Culture…AT CHURCH – 2 Tim.3:16-4:5.
These are the hallmarks of what it takes to build a leadership culture in the local church…
- GOD-Centered Congregational Singing
- Verse-By-Verse Expositional Preaching
- Intergenerational Worship Service
Theologically robust music that is focused on Christ & designed for singing is at the center of corporate worship thus preparing the hearts of God’s people for the sermon. Pastors should champion the old-fashioned Berean spirit of Acts 17:11 which emphasizes the importance of the congregation being avid students of Scripture by actively encouraging people to bring their Bibles to church & having them open during the sermon as the Word of God is boldly preached & a biblical text is systematically exposited every week. According to God’s Word & the testimony of Church history, the worship service is an intergenerational experience where old & young gather to praise God for who He is & what He has done & therefore mutually encourage one another in the faith.
3. Building a Leadership Culture…IN THE COMMUNITY – Phil.2:12-16.
Redemptive relationships are needed in this secularized world & the ancient Christian virtue of hospitality is a counter-cultural habit that advances the gospel in the community. Everyday life is filled with opportunities to encourage people in their spiritual lives by…
- Giving Them Gospel Tracts
- Invoking the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ
…for at least one time in their hearing that day. Western civilization is becoming more of a post-Christian society &, like pagan cultures of old, with virtually no foundational knowledge of the Christian worldview (Acts 17:16-34). The progressive trends of a world in rebellion against the Creator present manifold opportunities to be salt & light as ambassadors for Christ. Building a leadership culture in the community through 1. hospitality, 2. evangelism & missions, & 3. the comprehensive relevance of the biblical worldview renders our stewardship responsibility increasingly urgent every day.
