Resurrection and the Raising of Leaders
Sometimes raising leaders feels as impossible as raising the dead. When I read Jesus’ instruction to make disciples and Paul’s exhortation to entrust the gospel to younger leaders, I feel as though they might as well be asking me to raise the dead. Whether it is raising up future elders, small group leaders or children’s ministry workers, there are moments where the work feels impossible. Thankfully, we serve a God who can do the impossible and invites us to participate in this transformative work.
If you have ever run a marathon or hiked a mountain, you know that there are certain nutrients you need that only certain food can provide you. Similarly, I believe there are certain doctrines that provide the nutrients needed for the work of raising up leaders. One of these doctrines is the doctrine of the resurrection. The truth that God raises the dead is not simply helpful for the future but has immediate benefits. The doctrine of the resurrection can encourage and instruct us in the work of training and raising leaders. A good look at this doctrine can provide the energy needed to press on with the vital and seemingly impossible work that God has called us to.
Resurrection and The Need for Raising Leaders
Dying people need new life. This is the fundamental truth the resurrection addresses. Dying people need the good news of the resurrection of Jesus. This may seem simple and obvious, but this is a critical starting point for understanding the necessity of raising up other leaders.
We raise up leaders because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Specifically, we want that gospel to reach the ears of every dying person. Everywhere we look people are dying. And we too will one day face death. The only thing that can save a person is placing their hope and trust in the resurrected Jesus. Our greatest acts of kindness cannot save people. Our most advanced medical advancements cannot ultimately save people. The only remedy to our sin sickness is faith in Jesus.
The need of our world is greater than any single person. The need of a dying person is the gospel news that God has the power to raise the dead. God has ordained for the saving message of Jesus to be shared through his servants. One of the greatest acts of love for our dying brothers and sisters is to commit to raising up leaders who will preach God‘s Word faithfully, evangelists who will share the gospel in the farthest corners of the world and shepherds who will defend God’s flock. The need for resurrection keeps us pressing on in the work of raising up leaders.
Resurrection and The Hope for Raising Leaders
Dying people need hope. The doctrine of the resurrection declares to us that our hope stretches further than the grave. We need a hope that can outlive any cancerous cells and a hope able to crawl to the depths of our despair. If it is true that even in death hope exists, then certainly there is hope in the midst of raising up leaders.
The resurrection reminds us that there are no dire circumstances beyond the control of God. The hard soil that we are tilling in may seem hopeless, but the resurrection reminds us that God can produce fruit from the most dry and inhospitable soil.
Sometimes when we are not seeing fruit from our labor, we need to be reminded that nothing is too hard for the God who brings life where there is no life. If raising leaders seems impossible, remember God spoke and Adam breathed (Genesis 1). Remember God caused life to enter the baron and empty wombs of Sarah, Hannah and Mary (Genesis 21, 1 Samuel 1, Luke 1). Remember God called the prophet Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones and they came back to life (Ezekiel 37). Remember Jesus spoke to Lazarus to come out of the grave and he obeyed (John 11). God, in raising Jesus from the dead, showed us that there is nothing that he cannot do. If this is true, then when the work of raising up leaders becomes too hard for us, we must remember that there’s nothing too hard for our God.
The hope of the resurrection gives the weary pastor hope for the young and immature under their care. If God can breathe into some dirt and cause it to come alive, then he can breathe into the life of your interns and cause them to rise to new levels of maturity. If God is the God who can cause life where there is no life, then he is a God who can raise up small group leaders, deacons and elders in your church.
Resurrection and The Eternal Significance of Raising Leaders
Dying people need eternal life. All people hate death. From the beginning of history, every culture mourns death. Everyone grieves when a loved one dies. There is a natural instinct to rebel against death. As the poet would say, “Do not go gentle into that good night.” The writer of Ecclesiastes says that God has placed eternity within our hearts, and thus it is natural that we rebel against death (Ecclesiastes 3). Our hatred of death points to the truth that we were made for eternity. Sadly, in a world that denies the resurrection, we are told to live for today. We are told to do what makes us happy and to live for ourselves. Sacrificial, living and giving of ourselves for the purpose of raising up leaders does not make sense in the world without the resurrection.
Everyone who has poured out their life for others and for those who have invested themselves in raising up leaders knows that it comes at a cost. The doctrine of the resurrection makes it logical to lay down one’s life and to give it to others. There is no cost too high that I will not be paid back and given in eternity. Instead of chasing momentary pleasure, we should be chasing after things that have eternal consequence.
It is the doctrine of the resurrection that causes us to think beyond the present moment. We do not know how many days we will have on earth, but we know that they are numbered. So we should be about the work of raising up leaders who will be here long after us and will carry on the great and glorious work of proclaiming the gospel of the resurrected Lord.
It is easy to believe the need is too great, the work is too hard and the time is too short. But the doctrine of the resurrection tells us that the need is great, but God's strength is even greater and infinite. The work is hard, but our hope is greater. The time is short, but eternity is longer. May your work raising up leaders reflect the power of the God who raises the dead.
