Today’s Reading, 1 Samuel 15-17
Focal Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.””
When we look for leaders in the Christian context we often look at the parts that don’t matter. I have been involved with several search teams in my life and it usually starts with good intentions. They want somebody who loves the Lord and can proclaim biblical truth. However, soon after that the conversation turns into leadership abilities, how to handle conflict, organization and even working with others. The church starts to make the world’s standards its standards. When that happens you get a leader who has skills but not a good heart. A leader who can accomplish tasks but harms the people.
In today’s reading Samuel is sent to find the next king of Israel. He is told where to go and then he is expressly told that the Lord would reveal the next leader. Even though Samuel was a godly man he was looking at leadership through his eyes and not God’s. Remember when the first son was presented, Samuel was confident he would be the chosen one because of his appearance. However, the Lord rejected that thinking and let Samuel know the heart of a person matters more than what you can see on the outside.
I believe that many churches fall into the same trap when picking leaders. They look at the results and not the person. Conversations are had about style and event planning. Then very little conversation takes place concerning the heart of the leader. Investigation isn’t done on how that leader treats people and communicates with them when things are going good and when things are going bad. Churches should care more about the heart and soul of a leader than the skills they possess. You can help a person learn how to lead but very rarely will a persons heart change.
I challenge you today to think about this if you are helping pick the next leader in your church. Ask questions from him and his family that include the following.
- How much time do you spend on daily devotions?
- Would you please share with us the last Bible reading you did and what you learned?
- How much time do you spend in prayer every day?
- Can you walk us through your daily prayer life?
- Do you have people in your life who are holding you accountable?
- When is the last time you shared your faith outside of church?
- Do you engage regularly with people who you discuss theology and deep truths with? Do these people challenge your beliefs?
- Explain how you prioritize your personal walk with the Lord above every other area of your life.
These questions are not exhaustive but a very good starting point. If a prospective leader of a church is not actively engaged in these basic essentials of the faith, that church is doomed to succeed. It might even grow numerically but it will die spiritually. No leader can take a church to a place spiritually they are not actively pursuing in their own lives.
It is time that churches and believers emphasize the heart of a leader above the skill of a leader. Many churches and ministries would be in better places if the spiritual condition mattered more in the life of a leader. I say it all the time that as the pulpit goes so goes the church.
The heart should be the number one priority for every interview candidate and those questions should be asked regularly and often.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalms 11,59
