Leadership:
We seek to equip the congregation to take leadership, ownership and be involved within their Church and their community. We believe that leadership is both a gift and a skill. We define and equip leaders to serve those around us.
Let’s Rise Up !!!! – Leadership
We all being called as God’s workers . Whether we like it or not. Whether we feel that calling or not , whether we feel equipped or not . We all have a role in play in the Life of others. At RHC we do train or equip each other . We do allow each one to explore their gift and develop their skills.
First and foremost we are not talking about title or position. When you will hear this word Leadership, you may say to yourself that it’s not me but I would say that it is a wrong assumption.
‘We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ (Ephesians 2: 10)
God can use people with or without the natural ability and proper background.
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1: 26 – 27) The disciples, who went on to be founding leaders of the church, were fishermen and tax-collectors by trade. They were not highly educated or from influential families. Some had strong, driven personalities but others did not.
From the beginning, Jesus told the disciples that He would make them into something different: “Come, follow me,…and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Their occupation of catching fish changed into a mission of fishing for people. Each step along the way, Jesus taught them to share with others, connect people to God, and minister to those who were in need.
This morning God is challenging you, come follow me and it will make you something new.
When we mature into a spiritual adult, the Holy Spirit brings in us a heart change:
- We move from self-centered to others-centered
- We become God-centered in motivation
- We desire to serve and lead
For this we don’t need anyone to call us or use that word Leader. It is God’s desire for all of us to Serve and Lead.
Let us Read from the book of John 6:1-13
6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
From this Miracles we can say that :
Jesus Creates an opportunity for others to serve
Here Jesus asks a simple question “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
So the questions is like this, from where can we buy food or like which hotel will give us so many breads. Practical questions, one looks at the Crowd and their Accounts balance and gives a response “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
The other disciple hears the question and goes to search among the crowd to check if anyone carrying . Jesus did not say him or asked him to do right? But he goes by himself .
He finds the boy and brings him and we all know there was plentiful left and Jesus asks them to GATHER as well.
During this miracle, the disciples were learning about ministry as well as learning about who Jesus was. Jesus modelled intentional actions in His relationships with people. He gave the disciples hands-on experience in learning to care for others. He didn’t just have them sit back and watch Him meet peoples needs – he got them actively involved in ministering to the people around them.
So in what places , you see yourself an opportunity to serve and make a difference.
If we personally serve in a ministry, one of the best things we can do is have others serve alongside us. It might not turn out to be a long-term fit as far as skill or ability goes, but serving alongside someone they know and are comfortable with will help set them up for initial success. As they become comfortable getting involved and realize the value of serving, they will be better able to look at different areas they might be equipped for.
If we are unable to find a spot for others to serve in our church, consider inviting them along when you are serving outside of weekend services.
As we talked initially , we all are workmanship of God. Where is Jesus Pointing You Today.
- Jesus brought them to a place/situation where there were others who were in need.
Is someone calling / Showing to you serve in Church / Community where there is a need? (You may think about street kids ministry , no that is one of our ministry not all of needs, God has birthed different ministries in our Church so that each one can fit in wherever they want. Wherever God is calling you. Today can we take a decision that You are calling me here , I will follow it. Can we above our heads for a minute and reflect back.
Always remember God uses people in our lives to sharpen us. As we saw, Jesus may have easily done things alone or by his own . He showed the need to serve others. He showed how to serve others.
- Jesus had given them real teaching
Jesus taught them , not only practical hands on experience . He taught them as well.
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
Jesus disciples also came and sat down. A willingness to learn. The church has created so many opportunities to learn . Friday , we are learning form the book of 1 Thessalonians , Women’s have completed the book of Matthew, Men have started with the book of Mark, Girls and Boys doing some series , the children Sunday school are learning the different stories.
This opportunities are created for You by God. Are you willing to take it. God wants each one of us . I understand other commitments which we have but God’s desire for us is to grow from Milk to Meat.
Can we close our eyes, bow down in surrender and reflect back.
- Jesus connected them to God and to each other.
Jesus told his disciples to trust God to provide for them.
Matthew 6:25-26
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
In the Process of training , our relationship with God and people need to Grow.
Jesus also told his disciples to love one another.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
We have a model of discipleship, help people to grow in God. How many of us are aware where Joyce is currently and how is she doing.
Are we getting trained in Knowing God and knowing each other.
Can we close our eyes, bow down in surrender and reflect back.
- Jesus had equipped them and released them to do ministry
Luke 9:1-6
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
Are we preparing ourselves for ministries, leading ministries, leading people., The church has different categories , taking each one of us from one stage to another. Are we keen to move on the next stage. God is keen for you to move.
Can we close our eyes, bow down in surrender and reflect back.
- Jesus shared truth that was new to them.
Luke 8:9 : The parable of the sower
- His disciples asked him what this story meant.
They were not understanding but willing to learn and ask. Rise up, let you be willing to learn . And we all know from being a student they became teachers.
Can we close our eyes, bow down in surrender and reflect back.
- Jesus modelled discipleship to them as they were all together
John 13: 3
3 The Father had put everything in Jesus’ control. Jesus knew that. He also knew that he had come from God and was going back to God. 4 So he got up from the table, removed his outer clothes, took a towel, and tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that he had tied around his waist.
Jesus modelled what he said. Everything was under his control but he served.
We may have position , knowledge , wealth, education . Are we willing to serve.
Can we close our eyes, bow down in surrender and reflect back.
All this can only be possible only through Christ who strengthens us. We may desire to do all this and may fail but Christ gives the power to do it.
Rise up RHC !!! It’s time to take your place.
- We move from self-centered to others-centered
- We become God-centered in motivation
- We desire to serve and lead
Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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