Reflection 3: Conclusion to The Steward Leader

The statement that is quoted here from “The Steward Leader” pg. 179 is one of the guiding principles for my day to day life. “All the frontal attacks by atheists and Christ-haters in the media and literature combined have done less damage to the witness of the body of Christ than Christian leaders who have failed to live consistent lives as godly stewards.”

It is my fear that my weakness, my faults, my shortcomings, my idiosyncrasies will do damage and/or harm to the body of Christ. Sometimes it is my fear of acting in ways that would misrepresent Christ, which causes me to react slower, speak slower or not at all, not to say all that is really on my mind. So many people are watching me and I know that in myself I cannot live up to all of their expectations. It is for these reasons that I offer to prayers for me and for my colleagues in ministry. First that God would make me/us more consistent in our witness for Him and to Him. And second, that in those areas where we have not arrived, that God would cover us, so that those who are witnesses to our failings would not lose their way because of these areas.

I am reminded of the father of the demoniac child who brought his son to Jesus to be healed. But when he arrived, he did not find Jesus but rather found his disciples. And the father became so discouraged by the inability of the disciples to heal his son, that by the time Jesus did arrive, He said to Jesus, “if you can do anything.” The disciples’ ineffectiveness in ministry caused the father to doubt Jesus’ ability to help his son. Likewise when people come to us as Christian leaders they are not really looking for us, but rather for Jesus, but like the disciples, they find us instead. And the question is, will they be encouraged that God is able or will they be discouraged, asking the question, Can God do anything in this situation? I pray that my life is a consistent witness, “that God is able.”