Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

LESSON 3 | PRACTICING CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP: EFFECTIVE WORSHIP LEADING / 329

CONNECTION

This lesson focuses upon the role of the practicing Christian leader as a representative of the Lord, one who is called to speak and act on behalf of the purposes and interests of the Lord. We demonstrate this representation first and foremost in our ushering people into the presence of God through our leading them in worship, through the nourishment of the Word of God in the lives of believers in the body, and through our ongoing celebration of the sacraments in our services of worship in the Church. • The biblical understanding of representation is the fundamental concept in practical Christian leadership: the leader does not represent himself or herself but the authority and purpose of the Lord. • The Christian leader has sensed his or her particular call from the Lord to represent his purposes to his people within the community. • As those who belong to the Lord, our leadership can never be about ourselves, but rather we must speak and act for God as we strive to represent his purposes and interests in all we say and do. • The critical role where this representation shows itself is how we lead the people of God into the presence of God, for his glory through Jesus Christ. • The four dimensions of effective worship leading for the practicing Christian leader is to lead God’s people to worship him in the Spirit, to worship him in truth, to worship him with order and peace, and to worship him in faith through Jesus Christ. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about the insights you have gleaned in this lesson regarding our representation of the Lord, and our leading the body into the presence and purpose of God through worship, Word, and sacrament. What particular questions do you have in light of the material you have just studied? Maybe some of the questions below might help you form your own, more specific and critical questions. • How do we know in fact that we have sensed a call from God to represent him? What role do other Christian leaders and the congregation play in confirming the authenticity of my call to ministry, to represent God in the church?

Summary of Key Concepts page 158 & 5

3

C hr i s t i an M i n i s t ry

Student Application and Implications page 158 & 6