5 Jobs of a Spiritual Leader - Week 2 - Passionately Pursue Jesus

A tremendous mentor of mine often said, “As the leader goes, the group goes.” If we want the group to read the material, we have to read the material. If we want the group to hunger after Christ, we have to hunger after Christ. If we are casual, they will be casual. As the leader goes, the group goes.

Too often, spiritual leaders focus only on teaching, holding others accountable, and creating events. Instead of putting people on their shoulders as they lead in passionate pursuit of Christ, they stand on the sidelines telling others what to do and policing behavior.

Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 25:25-28

If we want our team to live like spiritual champions in every area (practice, games, gym, relationships, spiritually, servitude) we need to be that champion. As the leader, we will not reproduce what we say; we will reproduce who we are.

The Apostle Paul lived this out when he wrote to the Corinthians, “Follow me, as I follow Christ!” (1 Corinthians 11:1). He did not say to them, “Go and do.” He said, “Come with me!”

• The “Go and do” Spiritual Leader tells others what to do but is unwilling to do it themselves. They say, “Team, you live it. I will pick and choose what I do.”
• The “Come with me” Spiritual Leader boldly leads the pack in pursuit of Christ. They say: “Team, I need Jesus. Come with me and try to keep up as I passionately pursue Jesus!

In other words, the “Come with me” Spiritual Leader joins the Apostle Paul in wholeheartedly saying “Follow me as I follow Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)

When we become Spiritual Leaders focused first on Abiding in Christ (See week one), and second on Passionately Pursuing Christ, our leadership skyrockets.

Come with me Team!

1.   Start your day on your knees declaring your utter dependence on the Lord and sending the Holy Spirit ahead of you. Pray Zechariah 4:6 and Psalm 127:1-2 over your day.

2.   Get honest with God about where your heart really is. If you lack passion, instead of trying harder to do what you feel you “should” do, spend time getting honest with God at a heart level. Let Him transform you from the Inside Out. Psalm 139:23-24.

3.   Accept responsibility for your faith. Take ownership of your walk with God so you can wholeheartedly say with the Apostle Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

4.   Invite others to join you as you pursue the Lord. Maybe you invite teammates to church with you, or to serve someone in the community. Or maybe you are going to do the 30-Day Identity Challenge to get rooted in your Identity in Christ and this time you invite teammates to join. Who can you invite to join you as you serve the Lord?

5.   Spend TIME with Jesus before going to practice, work, school, etc.

6.   Join a Soul Care Journey Group or Confidence Group. Our Journey groups are focused on empowering Competitors to Abide in Christ. Men meet Tuesday and Wednesday mornings 9-10 am Eastern on Zoom. Confidence Groups gather to train mentally and win as Christian athletes. Come pursue intimacy with Christ and invite teammates to come with you.
 
7.   As the leader, we will not reproduce what we say; we will reproduce who we are. Take some time to reflect. What are you reproducing as a spiritual leader? What do you want to reproduce?

8.   Read Matthew 25:25-28. Consider Jesus example as a Come with me leader. In what ways did He live it out?

Soul Care Groups: New  Journey groups start August 2023. See opportunities below.

Confidence Groups: Join other athletes from around the world training their confidence on our weekly Zoom training groups. We run off-season (May-Aug) and in-season (Oct-Mar) groups. Athletes can join anytime and catch up on past material through video recordings.

Leadership Groups: Team Captain and Spiritual Leader Groups are in development. Stay tuned for upcoming group opportunities.