“What is the single most important skill that church leaders needs to have in order to be successful?”
Somebody asked me this the other day, and I thought it was a pretty good question.
I didn’t have to think about it very long… because I just knew the answer was leadership. The ability to motivate and inspire people, and the wisdom to construct systems that reinforce the vision.
But then I thought about preaching… maybe that’s the most important piece of the church growth puzzle. I don’t know of a church that has ever succeeded apart from the anointed communication of God’s Word connecting to people in the context of corporate worship.
At this point, all of the major categories hit me like a flashflood:
leadership, preaching, administration, vision...
How could I ever narrow it down to one “most important skill”?
There are so many skills that are integral to growing a church. Then I thought: there is actually one critical skill that is the foundation of all the others: The single most important skill in growing a church or a minstry is the fine art of hearing from God.
But are you sure you can handle what He has to say?
I hear a lot of people express a desire to hear from God… but sometimes when God speaks, He delivers a very tough message. I’ll give you an example: 1 Samuel 3 is one of the most popular passages preachers use to illustrate “How to hear from God”. But when God finally does open His mouth, the content isn’t very uplifting, warm and fuzzy, or even hopeful. In fact, God’s first message to Samuel was that his mentor, Eli, was about to be judged severely for the sins of his house. And to make matters worse, Samuel had to turn around and personally relay the message to Eli.
Do you still want to hear from God?
� When you ask God to speak to you about His will for your life, make sure you’re ready to embrace the repercussions. Be prepared to obey.
� If you ask the Lord to reveal any sin in your life that is separating you from Him, be very aware that He’ll probably do it.
� When you ask God to speak to you about a financial decision, He might not tell you what you want to hear. Instead, He might fill your ear with what you need to hear. And His instruction might require a deep sacrifice, or a step of big faith.
When God speaks, He doesn’t always just whisper sweet nothings into your ear.
In fact, sometimes the announcement He makes will leave your ears ringing, and your head spinning. Other times, the words He speaks fill your soul with inexplicable encouragement and peace.
So here’s the summary:
God often speaks words of deep comfort.
But He also speaks words of deep challenge.
And you never know which one you’re going to get.
