SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP:PROPHETS, PRIESTS & KINGS

Sam Batterman7/20/2014

1 CORINTHIANS 12:14-18• For the body is not one member, but many.• If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it

therefore not of the body?• And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is

it therefore not of the body?• If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were

hearing, where were the smelling?• But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it

hath pleased him.

ACTS 6:1-3• And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there

arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

• Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

• Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

THE BIBLE SPECIFICALLY CALLS OUT 3 ROLES FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES CRITICAL TO THE

CHURCH

•Prophets - ideas

•Priests - people

•Kings - things

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT?

Biblical

LovingEffective

JESUS IS THE PRACTICAL AND PERFECT MODEL OF A PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING

• As a Prophet. He preaches & teaches, rebukes, corrects heresy and protects us from wolves

• As a Priest. He loves and prays for us. He intercedes, is patient and longsuffering with us and he comforts us in sorrow.

• As a King. He distributes leadership and gifts and talents. He stewards dollars and resources. He talks about stewardship, He cares about how we use what he has given us. He holds us accountable.

MOST PROPHETS AND PRIESTS GO INTO MINISTRY

• Most pastors have combinations and degrees of both roles.• Mutually exclusive talents in either create dysfunction• Too much love, no penalty for sin• Too much law, no attention to people• Pastors (and people in ministry) may have kingly characteristics, but

traditionally it’s rare.• Overall – for all sized churches – ministries struggle with the things that

kings are uniquely gifted and stewarded.

KINGS GO INTO BUSINESS (USUALLY)• Kings care about things• Concepts & Trends• Management of People• Strategies & Tactics• Security & Safety for Children• Real Estate• Process• Long term planning• Finance• Legality• Systems, Technology, Infrastructure

KINGS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS UNDERGOING MASSIVE CHANGES

• Family Changes – blended, broken families are the norm• Barna and Inverse Barna – Satan wants our kids and especially our boys!• Demographic Changes – in ten years nearly every church will have some sort of

Hispanic outreach/church• Communication Changes – 24x7 everyone is connected

…and the church is sending email (a dying communication)• Church Activity Changes – people get their theology and share care and

thoughts through networks. Average church attendance is 2x a month. • Guests instead of Visitors. • Measurement of engagement instead of attendance• Legal challenges are on the way!

THEN AND NOW – CHANGES TO THE AMERICAN FAMILY

1970 2013

Households consisting of a marriedcouple and their children

40% 19%1960 2013

Adults who are married72% 51%

1980 2013

Americans living in multi-generational households

12% 17%1960 2013

Births to unmarried women5% 41%

BARNA IS REAL – WE’RE MEASURING IT. BUT WHAT CAN WE DO TO STOP IT?!

DISCUSSION