Leadership Strategies

(Leading Where We've Never Been Before)

by F. Joe Ellis

When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God. Move out from your
positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been
this way before. (Josh 3:3-4 NIV)

3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD
your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go
after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure:
come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not
passed this way heretofore. (Josh 3:3-4 KJV)

Many notable authors have said it in recent years that everything in life rises and falls on
leadership. This is true in families, business, sports teams, corporations, governments,
and yes even the church. Those who lead them usually determine their ultimate success or
failure.

From Genesis to Revelation, the word of God is very clear about the importance of
leadership. One of the best examples of this in the scripture is revealed in Israel 's failure
to enter the promise land shortly after their exodus from Egypt. Ten chosen leaders who
had been appointed by Moses allowed their uncertain future to gender fear and rebellion,
instead of faith and trust in Gods divine purpose for their life. Their choice to not follow
the leadership of Moses as directed by God was a terrible and costly mistake not only for
them and their families, but also for the entire nation.

Why were they so afraid? Was it the obvious walled cities and giants? Was it their own
self-perception as mere grasshoppers? Were they simply rebellious men, who were
concerned only for themselves? While all of the above holds a measure of truth, let me
simplify the reason in one sentence. God was leading them to a place they had never been
before!

As cruel as Egypt was, it had been their home for many years. Not even miracles and
visible evidence could persuade them when their comfort zone became invaded by the
unfamiliar. Trust in God and the man of God that led them there was now tested to the
limits. Nothing but total trust and obedience would activate their faith to the level that
was needed to attain their promise. Even though it was a new and exciting day filled with
promise and great blessing, an entire generation missed their divine purpose and calling
because they would not follow God's leadership and trust HIM unconditionally for their
future.
Unprecedented Times

These are new and unprecedented times for the Apostolic Church of the 21st Century.
God is giving clear vision concerning the church's future along with the direction HE
wants the church to go. Even though change is usually slow and laborious, one of the
most exciting aspects of the journey is the fact that. The church has never been where
God is leading her in its 2000-year history. With almost seven billion souls alive on the
earth today, it is very clear why God is taking us into uncharted territories of apostolic
power and ministry. One thing is certain however; God has been preparing HIS church
for this day since the very beginning.

A Fresh Call to Prayer & Evangelism

In the kingdom of God there are divine principles that must never be changed or
substituted; only understood and correctly applied. Spirit led leadership is the means by
which God gives direction to HIS body, the church. It is interesting to note the
similarities in Joshua's leadership of Israel (Joshua 3) and the leadership of the apostles in
the 1st Century church. Both were leading God's people where they had never been
before.

Under Joshua's leadership, (Joshua 3:3-4) the people were instructed to follow the ark,
keeping the necessary distance so all could see it. Even though they were commanded to
build a pillar of stones as a memorial of the miracle God had given them at the Jordan ,
they weren't allowed to just bask there in their past victories. They had to move out and
conquer their promise.

Like Israel of old, the New Testament Church also had an unprecedented beginning. The
outpouring of the Holy Ghost as recorded in Acts 2 was a new day, and a new beginning
for this small group of young disciples. What took place in the streets of Jerusalem on
that very first day had never taken place before. However, as time passed, God would not
allow them to wrap themselves up in an isolated holy huddle basking in last years
blessing. They had a gospel that they were called and commissioned to preach to every
creature in every nation. Even though many paid the ultimate price of their own blood,
they were willing to put themselves in harms way and go the regions beyond to reach
their generation!

Everything we do must point us back to that same fervent passion for evangelism. The
entire church worldwide is being called to a fresh enlistment for active duty. Rising out of
the grass roots of the church is an army of young men and women who are willing to give
everything if necessary to allow God to lead them to places they have never been before.
There is a fresh call from God to this generation to become an aggressively active, and
mobilized church, unified around one central vision and purpose. The field remains the
world. And there are no limits. Wherever there are people, the church is called to go
there.
Simplify and Excel

One of the greatest challenges the church faces today is to correctly know how to
transition the original apostolic pattern of the 1st Century into a 21st Century application.
Correct spiritual vision (understanding) is necessary for this to happen. But vision alone
is not enough. There must be correct structure and function as well. Let me explain.

· Vision. The understanding of what is possible. True Vision comes from the only
HEAD of the body, JESUS CHRIST.

· Function. The ability of the body; what the body (church) is divinely gifted to do.

· Structure. The order or arrangement of the body into individual parts; that which
enables the function and forward progress of the body (church).

Eph 4:15-16

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,
even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every
part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. KJV

Eph 4:15-16

Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times-speaking truly, dealing truly, living
truly --and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his
body, the Church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and
each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy
and growing and full of love. TLB

The Bible describes the church as a body; made up of many members all being co-
dependent upon each other. To understand how God ordained the church to function, the
apostle Paul used the natural body to describe it.

1 Cor 12:12-14

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one
body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized
into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made
to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. NKJV
1 Cor 12:27

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. NKJV

Prayerfully consider the following observations.

1. Correct structure enables the body to function as designed.

2. Good health provides strength and life to the body's structure.

3. In the church, God called leadership is the means by which HE directs the body's
forward progress.

4. Regardless of how intelligent or gifted a person is, their ability to function is both
governed and limited by their structure. The same is true in the church.

5. The health of the body is far more limiting to the body's function than the size of the
body. This is why church health is far more important than church growth. A healthy
church will always be a growing church!

6. No matter how strong, healthy, or potentially able a body is, it will be greatly limited
when any one of following three things are not functioning correctly.

§ Vision. Ability to see correctly

§ Understanding. Ability to think correctly

§ Structure. Ability to function or act correctly

7. Vision is our ability to see and understand what is possible.

8. Understanding is our ability to reason, plan, and make decisions.

9. What we understand as possible, will govern both our actions and our response.

10. No one ever acts or reacts outside of the limits of their understanding and ability.

Examples.

· Put a scalpel in the hands of a skilled surgeon and he can do incredible good.

· Put the same scalpel in the hands of someone mentally challenged and you have a
disaster waiting to happen.
· Put that same scalpel into the hands of a skilled surgeon who has just become
paralyzed from the neck down; no matter how much ability he has, his function (ability to
do) is limited by his body structure which is limited.

· Put the same scalpel into the hands of skilled surgeon with a healthy body who has
lost his sight and what can he do?

Summary.

· Desire, passion, great planning, vision, as important as they all are, won't be enough
if the body structure is disabled.

· The function of the body must have the correct structure to achieve its greatest
potential.

· Therefore, Vision, Function, and Structure all working in perfect harmony are
inseparable if the Body / Church is going to accomplish its God given purpose.

Personal Testimony.

Shortly after my wife and I returned from an extended mission's trip, I began seeking
God for better understanding concerning the things that were limiting the church from
being as effective as it should be. There are so many cities and nations throughout our
world where there is little to no apostolic voice or influence. The following is what I felt
God spoke to me in prayer. You will have to judge its validity for your self. God said to
me.

My church has complicated my gospel and my kingdom. Simplify what you are doing,
get back to the basics of fervent prayer and evangelism, and Excel in them.

He went on to say.

Prayer and Evangelism must work together in a very aggressive way. The church must
strategically plan for prayer and evangelism, just as an army prepares for war. The church
in a sincere desire to reach this world is attempting to do too many things that have very
little to do with MY Divine Purpose.

After a season of continued prayer and thought, I was totally convinced that God
had truly spoken to me. From that day to this, it is my firm conviction that what God said
is applicable in almost every level of the modern church, both individually and
corporately. I also believe it is one of the major reasons we have seen such limited results
in comparison to what God promised HE will do. The church is not waiting on God; God
is waiting on the church!
As I was back in Ukraine preparing to teach what HE had recently shown me, HE said to
me. How many functions does your elbow really have? What? Did I hear you correctly
God? Did you say how many functions does my elbow have? Before answering, I looked
at my elbow and began to move it back and forth. Well. One primarily. Then light bulbs
began flashing!!!

How could I have missed something so simple for so long? It is so clear; every part of the
body has one primary dominant function that adds very credible value to the overall
function of the body. As long as it's not forced to do more than its designed purpose, its
ability to excel becomes 2nd nature. But when it's out of place or overworked, it not only
is hindered, but also affects the entire body.

There are so many things that we would all like to do. Consider however the following
questions.

What's the one thing you do best that adds the greatest value to the overall purpose of the
church? Locally? Collectively?
What relevant contribution are you making to the overall mission of the church to reach
this generation?
What matters most to God?

What Matters Most to God?

Some of the most recent church growth statistics reveal that the smaller a church is, the
more programs / things they attempt to do. Unfortunately, with limited people, finances,
and time, frustration more than results are usually the end result. In comparison, statistics
also show that larger churches actually do fewer programs / things, but excel in the few
things they do. Even though every church has its unique focus and ministry, there are
three things that all growing churches do, and allow nothing to take their place. They are.

Intercessory Prayer
Personal Evangelism
Leadership Development
How simple. but oh how powerful! God is slowly but surely transitioning the church back
to what matters most to HIM! HE is calling the church to Simplify and Excel! Please note
the last recorded words Jesus spoke just before HE ascended into heaven. I think they
clearly reflect what matters most to HIM.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem , and in all Judea, and in Samaria , and unto the utter
most part of the earth. (Acts 1:8 KJV)

· You shall receive power. Prayer

· You shall be witnesses unto me. Evangelism

· Unto the uttermost parts of the earth . Leadership Development

Closing Remarks.

In the next several months, Leadership Strategies will be submitting a series of lessons
focusing on the following three subjects: Intercessory Prayer. Personal Evangelism.
Leadership Development. It is our sincere desire that they will be a great blessing to you
personally, as well as to the local church that you serve. As we bring this introductory
lesson to a close, let me offer the following action items for your consideration.

Begin to clear the clutter from your schedule. Clutter is anything that robs you from
doing what matters the most to God.
Ask God to help you clearly identify your God given purpose, spiritual gifting, and
calling.(Ephesians 4:11)
Strive to simplify your life by doing the things that you know you have been gifted to do.
This will allow you to raise the bar to excellence in the one or two things you do best.
Because Jesus is our God. Excellence should be your Goal.
Make a not to do list and identify those things that are keeping you religiously busy but
spiritually barren.
Start today to do the things that are important to God and strive for excellence in them.
For Pastors and leaders. Buy and read the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. (This is a
secular book but one that I highly recommend as a must read for every pastor and upper
level leadership.)
It is our sincere conviction that if the 21st Century church is going to reach its full
potential, it must remove the non essentials from its schedule, and get back to doing what
matters most to God. Are you ready to go? The journey to places we have never been
before is about to begin. God help us all to be willing to go!