It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work
Character Check Who is someone I could begin investing myself in today?
In Business Terms Everywhere I’ve served, I’ve prayed for God to send me leaders to build his church. For fourteen years, at least once every month or so, I’d meet someone visiting [my former pastorate] Skyline Church for the first time. We’d introduce ourselves. Then God would speak to me and say, “John, there’s one” That was the most humbling thing in life because I didn’t do one thing to bring that person in.
After I resigned, I was with about seventy-five church leaders one night for a farewell dinner. I got up and said, “All my life I’ve prayed for leaders. Let me tell how God answered those prayers with you.”
Then I went around the room, telling each one about the time I met them, when God revealed, ‘There’s one.”
By the time I was done, we were all bawling. Someone said, “How could you remember meeting everyone in a church this size?”
I replied, “I don’t remember meeting every person. I remember meeting you because you were one of those people I prayed God would lead into my life.”
If you pray for leaders; if you have a heart to develop, lead, and empower people; if you’ve got a God-given vision, God will give according to your desires.
—John
Something to Think About Effective executives never ask, “How does he get along with me?” Their question is, “What does he contribute?” Their question is never, “What can a man not do?” Their question is always, “What can he do uncommonly well?” – Peter Drucker
