I HAVE NO MAN

The Tragic Emptiness Of Leadership
In our work as missionaries our job is to work ourselves out of a job. In order to leave a solid work behind it is absolutely necessary to develop the upcoming leadership of the church to be “likeminded” about the work and ministry. The Apostle Paul knew this all too well. In all our ministries there are both successes and failures. Paul had his Demas, Alexander, Hymeneus, Philetus and I am sure more. Of these not too much is known but they have gained an undesirable immortality, destined to be known to the end of time only as quitters, injurious and the advocates of error. If Paul and ourselves only had men like these to carry on the work as we move on “into the next towns” nothing blessed or sound would remain. But thanks be unto God we do have our Timothy, Titus and other faithful men who are likeminded. These are the “faithful men” who will commit themselves hear the word and be taught to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2) In order for us to have joy in serving we must first of all find men who are single minded. “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Philippians 2:2) Paul was looking for men with a single focus and a passion for God. This quality will only be found in those who have another necessary Christian quality: humility or as Paul pens it; “lowliness of mind” in Philippians 2:3. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” We need humble minded men. Those who cannot follow cannot lead. Those who are high minded will create havoc in the ministry and only desire to be “lords over God’s heritage” instead of examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:3) A third and absolutely critical necessity to insure that the work of the Lord is carried on by good leadership is found in Philippians 2:5. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” There must be implanted and cultivated in each one the same mind which was in Christ Jesus our Supreme Example. We must have Christ minded men. This can only be accomplished through faithful teaching and preaching of the Word and life on life mentoring as our Lord and as Paul after Him did to develop their own men. It takes a supernatural work in a man’s life to become the right kind of leader. We must remember that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) Men like this will not be seeking a reputation, they will be servants, they will be humble men and will be obedient in service unto death. They will shine as lights any where they are in the world. They will hold forth the word of life faithfully and we will rejoice and know that our ministry has not been in vain. What kind of leaders are you training? Maybe first we should ask what kind of leader are you? Make sure these qualities are in your own life, then strive day and night to develop these qualities in others so that you can say with Paul, I have Timotheous, my son and Epaphroditus, my brother and not have to say, “I HAVE NO MAN.”