Page 3 - May 2023 - Truth & Tidings

eactive leadership. It’s possible that perse and have no contact. Proactive leaders
you are in a local church where communicate. And since we live in the age
1
Rit’s been an issue for a long time. of instant messaging, we have no excuses
And if so, it becomes exponentially dif- for lack of communication. A quick text,
ficult to correct the cycle. The elders’ time email or call can quickly get everyone up
is consumed with dealing with problems, to date or on the same page, making it
whether relational, doctrinal or moral. Very possible to move together in leadership
little time and energy are left to think about more effectively. Elders should not only
(let alone plan for) the long-term health of communicate openly with one another but
the assembly. But crises don’t generally with the assembly, not leaving everyone in
pile up under proactive leadership. And so the dark about what’s being planned.
as quickly as possible, reactive leadership It is critical to realize that proactive leaders
needs to find a way to turn the corner and engage. As overseers are “given to hospital-
become proactive. With the Lord’s help, it ity” (1Ti 3:2), this assumes a certain level
is achievable. of engagement with the Lord’s people. It
What specifically does proactive leader- should go without saying that shepherds
ship look like? For one, proactive leaders spend time with the sheep. Staying after
meet (Act 20:17-38), and not only when meetings to talk and interact with assembly
there are troubles to address and people believers is a great opportunity to assess
to interview. A regularly planned and fully need and encourage. Going out for lunch
attended elders’ meeting (21:18 – “all the or coffee just to chat may prove to be ex-
elders were present”) is a good place to tremely valuable. The more you develop
start to foster proactive leadership. Prayer relationships with the believers under your
and Scripture reading help bring needed care, the more freedom you will have to
focus to an elders’ meeting and should be lead them.
fervently practiced. We also learn from Paul that proactive
But it isn’t enough to simply meet, pray leaders watch (Act 20:31; see also Heb 13:17).
Just as shepherds are constantly alert to any
and read; proactive leaders plan. Anything danger which might threaten the sheep,
we do well requires planning. When so will overseers “watch over our souls.”
together, elders primarily discuss the A reactive leader acts when the harm has
spiritual needs of the flock and how best already arrived. The proactive leader
to address them, not simply how funds are watches to ensure such harm never comes.
to be used. Specific teaching can be orga- Assembly leadership is likely the great-
nized as well as potential gospel outreach. est need of our day, and so we have devoted
Good planning also ensures there are op- this entire issue to the topic. May the Lord
portunities for the use and development use these articles to encourage, strengthen
of spiritual gift in the assembly. All of this and even raise up godly proactive assem-
requires hard work. No wonder Paul refers bly leaders.
to the elders’ “labor” more than once (1Th
5:12; 1Ti 5:17). ¹ Note the role elders played at the Jerusalem
Council in Acts 15 and the letter that was
Elders can meet and plan, but then dis- circulated, clearly communicating the decision.

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