I'm not sure how much applicability this thought has to the situation of the modern church, but I think it's pretty interesting that Moses' death did not bring a new direction for Israel's future. It wasn't the sort of situation where Joshua comes rises to power, and he somehow wants to lead the Israelites in a new way. In fact, it's quite the contrary: Joshua continues what Moses' started. The question is, did Moses start it, or did God? From what we know, it was God's doing that Moses was even involved in the first place.
It seems to me that a leader's responsibility in the contemporary church is not to cast some grandiose vision that he has developed from his creative ingenuity but to discern God's vision for His people at a given time. The focus of the vision, then, becomes God's desire for His people rather than the leader's desire for God's people. There's a big difference between those two.
Here's a question for regular readers and for those who want to comment: What do you believe God's vision for the contemporary church in America is? What do you believe God wants to see in and through the church this year, in five years, and in fifty years? I will try to repost on this later after I give it some more thought.
First of all, I have strong aversion to the words contemporary and church being used in such close proximity. It depends if you’re talking about the church or THE Church. I believe God’s vision for His bride has and always will be the same. Each part of the body is to love Him with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. We are each to submit to each other in love, putting our selfish desires aside, and putting others first using the abilities and talents he has given us. We are to humbly be a vessel in which the Holy Spirit may dwell. And we are to boldly reach the lost in the area of the world God calls us. I believe there are individuals or groups of individuals who are called to do specific missions, if they so choose to accept, that will accomplish specific purposes in God’s plan for His Church.
As for the direction of LifePoint, I really can’t say. God hasn’t really place it on my heart to be concerned about the direction our church is going. People may be drawn to us because we have a beautiful new building, good music, and an excellent children’s program, but they stay because we love them. At least, I have seen that over and over in the years I’ve been coming. Having said that, this post and your previous post One chapter ends, another begins have really got me thinking about the leadership in our church. I wonder if the Israelites knew how lucky they were to have a leader who walked with the Lord for so many years. I wonder if they really appreciated the wisdom he used in leading them. He messed up and hit that rock, but overall I think he exercised a great deal of patience and love with these stupid, stupid people. I personally think it has been a blessing to sit under an older pastor, such as Pastor Tom. Many churches around us have younger pastors who have that new zeal, and excitement in first starting their ministry. Their strength and submission to answer God’s call for them is so encouraging and exciting for those around them to see. But, there’s just something about how Pastor Tom leads us with a gentle, loving, patient way. He could give an entire sermon without cracking one joke and I would still be on the edge of my seat listening. This is nothing against our two wonderful, younger pastors, it’s just an observation of gratitude I have made. What I love about all three of our pastors is that they are all truly “pastors”. They love us and tend to our flock in a way a lot of other churches today, sadly, miss out on.