My great delight over the past 37 years has been to work with a generation of young, emerging leaders with an apostolic heart, vision and “Spirit” (and I DO mean the Holy Spirit – not simply their human spirit!) I have the wonderful privilege of helping them identify their gifting, urging them to listen for God’s voice and respond to their calling, and then assist them in developing their skills in communicating the gospel and learning how to “make disciples of all nations” in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hey, it doesn’t get much better than that!!
During my time of “coffee with the Lord” the other day, I read the expression of Paul’s passion and vision in Romans 15.20… Paul said, “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.” As I read those words, I thought of many of those young emerging leaders… To serve the Lord in revitalizing and leading an existing congregation is a noble task. But I praise God for those who embrace the passion and preference of Paul – identifying pockets of unreached people, taking the gospel to them and then making devoted, Christ-following disciples of them. Hey, I am convinced they are getting us ready for the coming of the Lord!! “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:14 ESV)
So my encouragement to them today is this… Go for it!! Let the Lord give you your vision. Lift up your eyes and look upon the “fields white for harvest” (John 4:35) Trust God to give you creative strategies! Be sure to listen to seasoned effective older leaders who have been effective. But go for it in the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit!! I’ll be right beside you screaming encouragement and applauding wildly when you succeed!
Coffee With The Lord 