"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.....Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." (Isaiah 6: 1-5,8)
A NEW MILLENNIUM: LEADERSHIP 101
As we stand at the dawn of a new millennium and a new year, the church in general, and our church in particular, will confront new problems, new challenges, and new opportunities. Within the last five to ten years we have witnessed major paradigm-shifts. Changes that once required decades now occur within one or two years. The year 2000 and beyond will continue to be a period of unprecedented technological innovations, booming economic opportunities, a cultural renaissance, political renewal, moral degradation, and a new spiritual awakening.The church and its leaders must struggle to find new methodologies to present the old message that Jesus saves. The church must dare to take a critical review "of the way it does business" and where necessary, make creative changes. According to James Emery White, in his book, "Rethinking The Church," we need to listen to the un-churched. Sometimes we get so involved in the church, that "we can't see the forest for the trees." White provides some interesting comments from those who do not attend the organized church. Some of the reasons for not attending are: the church worship services are boring; the church is not relevance for the way I live; the church asks for money too often; there is no value in attending , and the church itself has too many problems. White states, "Their problem is not with Christian theology; it is with how we do church."
How do the church and its leaders respond to an age of transition and a world that is in flux? I am convinced that the present text from Isaiah, where he is sharing his call-story, can assist us in helping to form the mind-set necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the church and its leaders.
First, Isaiah stated, "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord*" (v l) We cannot see until our Uzziahs die. If the church and its leaders hold on to unproductive, outdated and failed ways, then they will not be able to see. The spiritual man can see that which is not visible to the natural eye. (I Co. 2:14-15) Many presidents, chairpersons, and facilitators in the church, come into office with ego-centric agendas. They hold the view that, its my way or the highway. The Lord's will must be first in our lives. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other...." (Matt. 6:24) There should be nothing between us and the Lord. We must seek first the kingdom of God. (Matt. 6:33) Jesus, facing the cross, in Gethsemane stated, "...not my will, but thine, be done." (John 26:39) If we want to see the Lord, we must first get rid of our Uzziahs.
Second, Isaiah said, "Then said I, woe is me! for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips...." (v 5) Note, it was after he saw the Lord that he could truly see himself. When he saw himself, as he was, he discovered that he was a wretched man. Often we can't be of service to God because we think too highly of ourselves. (Rom. 12:3) The young people would say, "We think we are all that." When we measure ourselves we tend to find the shortest rod we can find. But, when we measure ourselves against the holiness, righteousness, majesty, and glory of the Lord we fall far short. While Isaiah was declaring his own unworthiness and that of Israel, one of the seraphims flew to him with a live coal from the altar and touched his lips. By this act, the prophet was cleansed, his iniquity was taken away and his sins expiated. (vv 6-7) If one is to lead he/she must have the mind of Christ and humble himself/herself. (I Co. 15:9, I Tim. 1:15, John 2:30) The leader must also understand that he/she is a sinner saved by God's grace.
Finally, after Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord; then, he could properly see himself; and then, he discovered he was undone. The touching of his lips with the live coal symbolically conveyed atonement to the prophet. Now, he declares, "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I send me." (v 8) When forgiveness is known, responsibility follows. When we fully understand the goodness of God, his grace towards us and the price he paid to save us from our sins, we too should make ourselves available to God for His service.
Whether you are a formal leader, one with an office, or an informal leader our church will need you this year. However, you will not be an effective leader unless you have completed Leadership 101. Can God count on you? Can you declare like Isaiah, here am I Lord, send me.
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