Credit: Nick Wilkes
This daily post is designed to help you live into our New Room Society covenant of practicing daily prayer together. Below is this week’s theme and daily practice.
Week 9: Character
What are the characteristics of spiritual leaders? Who are the models and mentors you’re drawing from?
“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.” Romans 8:29-30, The Message (MSG)
The foundation of holy leadership is character.
There are a few television evangelists who have made clear the difference between charisma and character. Charisma means you have the ability to inspire and excite others, but if there’s no character, a leader can quickly do more harm than good.
Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
As a church planter, you are responsible for speaking the word of God, and demonstrating by your life the fruits of a godly character.
It’s not so very important how good a speaker you are, but it’s critical that you are a woman or man of holy character. That’s why this part of your training focuses so intensely on spiritual formation.
But it also focuses on spiritual friendship, because the best way to form good character is to model yourself after someone who has a strong image of God already growing within their life.
Sunday: Lectio Divina on the Fruits of the Spirit
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” Galatians 5:22-24, The Message (MSG)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, English Standard Version (ESV)
Begin your week with a period of lectio divina on one or both versions of this scripture. Don’t study, parse, or exegete it. Let go of your agenda and see what God can do within you.