« Turn the Other Cheek? | Home | All People of Faith Should Pray for Our New President, Barack Obama. He now officially has the hardest job in the world, i.e., representing the people of the USA. Remember that this includes you and me! »
By philhigley | November 3, 2008
Considering our current political climate, I thought Mouw’s perspective on leadership (below) was insightful. I think people get way too caught up in politics, almost to the point of making politics into an idol and worshipping it, so to speak. I remember a long time ago, when I was only a little kid, that Bill Clinton had won the election. At that time, I remember one of my family member’s saying that the end of the world was coming—and this particular person was being serious! Anyway, I think that people need to look up in times like these and remember that God has his hand on the whole situation. As a result, we need not worry if our particular party doesn’t win, and neither should we play pin-the-tail on the Antichrist in the same situation. Instead, we may look to leadership within the church to make good decisions, give good advice, disseminate godly wisdom, and also preach the everlasting gospel. I think that’s a tad bit more important than worrying about Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama.
But be that as it may, remember that the faith we place in objects, whether it be politics, political figures, religious figures, theology, social justice, or imagine this, GOD; remember, faith is only as good as the object we place it in. I place my faith in Jesus the Christ. Who, or what, do you place your faith in? That said, it’s ok to be political, but just don’t make it an idol, and don’t use it to make personal attacks on half the country’s population (yes, I’m thinking about that horrible “letter from the blue states to the red”). Instead, follow God with all of your being and love one another and He will direct your path. Ok, I’ve said too much, but read below for Mouw’s blog…
________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Fuller President, Richard Mouw
In an interview the other day I was asked where some of the “unknown” leaders are right now—folks whose leadership is thus far a well-kept secret, but are people who the rest of the Christian world should know about.
Instead of naming names, I talked in general terms about a whole generation of presently “unknowns.” While I spend most of my time at Fuller, I also make many visits to college and university campuses, as well as to other seminaries, both in North America and elsewhere. I am extremely optimistic about what the emerging generation of Christian students are going to bring to the global church. They are creating a new agenda. They are enthusiastic about worship. They care deeply about the issues of justice, peace, and the care of creation. They are passionate about leading people to Christ. They have deep convictions, while also having a strong commitment to engaging in dialogue with folks from other faith communities. We are soon going to see a new spirit of leadership in the Christian community as these emerging leaders take over!
But we also need to wait for another kind of “unknown” leader to show up. I was once asked by a magazine what I thought was the most important religious event of the previous year. I gave the kind of example they wanted, but I also added a further thought. It may be, I said, that the most important religious event of the previous year occurred in a bedroom at three o’clock in the morning in an inner-city apartment, when a young black woman, struggling with complex issues in her life, got down on her knees and yielded her will to Jesus Christ—and in doing so set herself on a course that would bring about amazing things for the cause of the gospel.
I am excited by the new generation of soon-to-be leaders in the Christian community. But I am even more excited by the thought that the Spirit is raising up leaders right now who are unknown to any of us but who are being prepared for leadership by the One who is at work also—and perhaps even especially—in the secret places.
Topics: Uncategorized |
Comments
