In the Line of��? | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: In the Line of��? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Irene Joshua
11/17/07
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I was very anxious sitting at the edge of my seat, my friend next to me seemed perplexed. Silently I was praying “Lord touch her somehow”. She came from a non Christian background; so do I. But my words about the Lord, was not convincing enough for her to accept Jesus, as the saviour of her life. She was in a desperate situation, and I assured her that only Jesus could meet her need. She was only half convinced and somehow I took her to the church, believing that the message would become a blessing to her.

First, it was the time of worship. The worship leader was in full swing. He encouraged everyone to raise hands, clap and sing along. The guitarist who sat there was chewing a gum, as he played the instrument. I was feeling a little discomfort for the disregard shown to the pulpit. My friend was unaware of my displeasure and I was wondering her thoughts. Everybody were clapping, singing and dancing. I also was lost in it, but at times took a look at my friend, to see if she liked it. She was a silent observer, with little reactions.

I waited for the sermon, to begin. After announcements, the preacher stepped in. I was wondering what the message would be? The theme was about leadership. The preacher was talking about how each one of us could become leaders for the kingdom, how to make targets for the year, to make disciples for Christ, how to do effective follow up’s and conduct prayer groups etc. I was pondering how much of the message made sense to my friend. And also, I was afraid, if she would mistake me, for bringing her to the church as one of my leadership strategies.

As we walked out of the Church, I was silent, lost in my own thoughts. I didn’t want to ask her as to how the message was? For I myself was skeptical about it. I somehow was not convinced of using marketing strategies to reach people for Christ in the name of evangelism. On the way back home, she asked me as to why my face was so sullen? I just shook my head with discontent. I asked her, after much hesitation, as to what she thought about the message? “Well” she said, “It’s a nice message for a management student. But didn’t hear any word about Jesus?” . I quickly answered, “Well. Sometimes it’s like that. That we learn from the Bible – the word of God, from stories or from characters. Need not necessarily be from………..” I bit my tongue. Yes, here is where I was disheartened. When I hear about leadership messages, I had never heard anybody talk about cultivating the servant like attitude of Christ. Rather, people talk about becoming leaders for church groups, possessing repertoire of skills and qualities while neglecting on Christ’s attitude.Who could be a better leader than Jesus in the whole world? (especially when chosen from the word of God).
Once I heard a preacher shout, “Tomorrow, all of you who are sitting here will become leaders.” I wanted to shout back “No, servants of Christ.” I feel sorry that, people (myself included) who need to be hard trained on humility, gentleness and poise like Christ are fed with over confidence & false prestige in wrong contexts. I strongly believe that, when I cannot become a servant (of Christ) first, I cannot become a leader for my church.

Coming back from my lost thoughts, I smiled at my friend and we made plans for lunch. I believed that God would touch her one day and fill her soul. He has His own ways and time. I gaped at the Church as our vehicle passed that way.

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