Practicing Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

* What kinds of attitudes and habits must be cultivated in order to be an effective worship leader in the way described in this lesson? Which of these do you express best, least? * Why is commitment to the faithful Word of God so critical in all phases of representing God in the midst of the Church? * What about those traditions which recognize other significant events and practices as sacraments, more than simply Baptism and the Lord’s Supper? What role does tradition play in acknowledging these other practices as sacramental? * Of all the aspects of effective worship leading, which ones do you believe are critical for the emerging Christian leader to master first? * How do we ensure that members of the body continue to grow in the Word and sacrament even as they are faithful in attendance to our services of worship? How can we instill a sense of celebration and refreshment in our teaching and worship leading that continues to encourage them in their faith? A young person with real personality and apparent spiritual gifts begins to attend your church for a few weeks, but, as time has gone on, you have become concerned about his understanding of God’s leading. He has more and more asserted himself as the Lord’s prophet in the church, and will state authoritatively to others on some point of conduct or doctrine, “This is what I believe God is saying to you about this.” You as pastor have heard more and more concern from members about some of the things this young fellow is saying, but you believe the Lord is upon him. The young fellow’s constant word about himself in the church is “The Lord told me to come.” How would you lead this young person to maturity in the body, i.e., to help him understand the principle of leadership as representation. “The Lord Told Me to Come.”

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“You’re Doing it all Wrong.”

With the entrance of new ways of worship; singing, Scripture and responsive reading, and prayer into your services, some of your older members are concerned about the break with their traditional ways of worship. A growing divide is