Show notes:

• Supplemental reading: “For Such a Time As This” by Joseph Bonifacio
• “In the eternal light of things, we’ll always have on our resumé that we were Christian leaders in the time of the fastest spreading pandemic and economic recession in world history up to this point. What are we going to do about it?” – Pastor Kevin York, Every Nation vice president
• Leadership is not for comfort, privilege, or maintaining the status quo. It is for loving God and serving others, especially through dangerous and rare times.
• So much of the world right now, so much of the conversation online, is falling into a trap of false dichotomies.
• What the world needs, what your family needs, what your schools need, and what the online space needs are leaders who are led by the Spirit.
• Let’s look into three false dichotomies that may be inhibiting us from being the leaders God has called us to be.

1. Do I get ministered to or do I minister to others? 

In God, in Christ, in the Bible, we don’t have to choose between these two. In 2 Corinthians 1:4-5, the word “comfort” means “strength.” The verses tell us that God strengthens us that we might strengthen others with the strength that God has given to us. Where are you now in this spectrum? Are you burned out? Are you overfunctioning?

2. Do I help serve others through spiritual means or physical means? 

We are called to do both.

3. Is it important to share hope or to point out what needs to be improved? The answer is both.

There is nothing wrong with engaging in ideas and pointing out what needs to be improved. But when we cross the line into divisiveness, that comes from a shift in our heart and our mind, where we believe we are superior to the people we are talking down to. And that has no place for people who have been saved by the blood of Jesus. 

Titus 3:1-7 reminds us that when we remember who we used to be before Jesus and how we got saved only because of Jesus, we are able to speak to others with perfect courtesy. So it’s not a question of: Should I share hope or point out what needs to be improved? It’s a question of: How do I do either? It’s possible to point out errors and still do it in a way that’s gracious. Colossians 4:5-6 tells us to let our speech be gracious. This differentiates us as leaders of God at this time.

The ENC Leadership Podcast is hosted by Joseph Bonifacio.