I have been in the ministry of spiritual growth for more than a decade now. I have taught in Sunday School, led small groups, worked in committees, occasionally been invited to preach and have even written a book on how to grow up spiritually. The entire focus of this calling on my life is to use the abilities which God has entrusted to me to help others growth up spiritually. For that is why I have been place here on this earth.
The process of spiritual growth is something both pastors and layman grapple with on a regular basis. We constantly look at the people under our care and try to crack our brains to figure out how we can help them grow up spiritually. We know there is so much more God wants them to experience, more of His power, more of His love, more of His freedom, more of His blessings, more of Himself. Yet as our Lord cried over Jerusalem, how God longs to bring those we lead into a higher level of spirituality but many are simply not ready, not willing, not concerned.
So what is the formula? There is none. What is the key? The answer - the leader. Who we are as leaders will determine those whom we lead. Spirit-filled leaders birth spirit-filled followers. Leaders who live in the flesh will simply achieve no spiritual growth in those they lead. For it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. If there is to be revival in the lives of those we lead, then the revival must start with us leaders. For only when we live and preach and serve under the anointing can we help those we lead come into the anointing themselves. You can't bring those you lead higher than where you have gone yourself.
The implication of this on ministry is startling. If our focus on our ministry is head-knowledge of scripture, then we will produce followers with head-knowledge but little spiritual experience. If our focus is fellowship, then we will produce followers close to each other but no closer to God. But if our focus is to serve and lead them under the anointing of the Spirit, only then will we bring them into the experience of God who is Spirit, revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.
So before we run off to try to plan more programmes, start more committees, or attend more training, let us stop and come back to our God. For God is turning His spotlight on those who profess to be leaders in His church. Soon He will purge His church of flesh, or carnality, of the pride of human wisdom and ability. One by one, He will break His leaders, to refine us in the fire of trial till we come forth as pure gold, in the power of the Anointing. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted in every way by the devil, so God will brings His anointed ones through our own wilderness, the dark night of the soul that will burn away all pride in the flesh, all dependence on ourselves, to break us to a point of absolute surrender. And then, when there is no more pride, no more ambition, no more rights, no more reputation, He will start to pour Himself into us, to saturate us with His presence, His power, His Spirit. And only then, will we be leaders of the Spirit who can bring others into the things of the Spirit.
What is the cost of being a bible teacher? Consistent study. What is the cost of being a leader? Consistent death. The daily dying to ourselves. Are we prepared to pay the price? If we do not, the cost to those we lead will be unthinkable.