adminMorris Mtisi
YOUNG Pastor Elvis Joseph (PEJ) is married to Rutendo and are blessed with one daughter (so far), Elienai (Hebrew-my eyes are focused on God). He is holder of a B.A. Degree in Theology, B.A Ministry, Overseer-Rock International Ministry. He pastors an assembly in Hobhouse — Mutare and currently studying for a Masters’ Degree in Theology.
He is AFMIN Zimbabwe coordinator and general secretary for Mutare Ministers Fraternal. I was lucky to persuade him for a bit of straight talk, head-to-head, on a topic and question causing global curiosity and anxiety among Christian communities:Why are Church leaders seemingly standing on God’s way blocking and interrupting God’s purpose and mission? I asked him that question without fear or favour:
PEJ: If anything can revolutionize today’s Christian leaders, it is when Christians understand God’s design for spiritual leaders. The modern day minister has to be relevantly and adequately equipped. The pastorate field is overcrowded. It is attracting intensecriticism as it seemingly brings reproach to the Kingdom it represents. We are in an era where the church minister seems to stand on God’s way blocking and interrupting God’s purposeand mission in the name of doing the work of God. I truly believe it’s absolutely God’s design to call a minister, in His calling. In doing so He has assigned other ministers to teach and train. There is now a greater need to equip the minister and man of God than it was in the past days. This principle has always been in the Word of God. The question could be the relevance of what a minister has to go through during his study and what motives are there behind his or her studies.
MM: The Bible is very clear on what must be done by man unto man and unto God. I have no doubt about that. I am a serious Christian myself and a newly baptized 7th Day Adventist. But some of these trained Theology ‘professors’ we see today know a lot, say a lot but understand nothingabout real human challenges and problems. They bury their heads in books and scriptures but neither see or understand human relations in their own churches or assemblies. What good is a trained theologian or pastor versus God’s calling to His mission? Why are pastors leading God’s people astray more than they are bringing them to God their Father? Chii chiri kumbonyatsoitika vanhu vaMwari?
PEJ: We have a big problem . . .
MM: Before you go very far, I know it’s a big problem. Big is too small. You have a colossal problem, a mammoth problem, you know.
PEJ: I agree Mr MM. Many Christian leaders are reading secular books and accepting what they read without serious thought.Much secular leadership theory is based on presuppositions that may appear sound yet promote ideas contrary to the Scriptures. They leave out God. There is a huge need to distinguish between general leadership principles and spiritual leadership principles. Infact leadership position does not automatically make one a spiritual leader. Spiritual leadership is notan occupation. It is not a job. IT IS A CALLING. Only when we understand leadership in light of God’s calling onour lives, only then will we be equipped enough to lead effectively. God is not necessarily looking for leaders, at least not in the sense we generally think of leaders. He is looking for servants.
MM: And how many of these men of God are genuine servants? I would mention names if it pleased you. How many of them know and understand they are not in a job, but a calling to serve? And who are they serving?Their wives and gossip-friends in the Church?These young cowboy-look pastors and Zim-dancehall crooners obsessed with poster photos with their beautiful fashion models! Servants of God? We can fool man Pastor, but can we fool God? How successful can we be…to speak White and act Black in broad daylight? Talk to me man of God.Talk to me and let us speak the truth that will set us free.
PEJ: There is a desperate cry for spiritual leadership.
MM:Is Christian Leadership the same as Secular Leadership?
PEJ: Bookstores have capitalized on the chronic thirst for leadership.
The question many Christian leaders face is whether the principles that make people successful leaders in sports or business are equally valid when applied to leadership issues in the kingdom of God?
MM: And what is the answer to your question Pastor?
PEJ: Many Christian leaders think so.
This acceptance of secular approaches by Christian leaders can be observed in numerous places.
Pastors now have an office instead of a study.
Churches adopt mission statements.
Build teams and lead their people through team-building exercises.
Use state-of-the-art marketing principles to reach their communities.
Are “seeker-friendly or sensitive” (customer sensitive).
Pastors of large churches (and some not so large) are beginning to act more like CEOs/managers than shepherds.
MM: And driving spanking top-of-the-range cars-Jeeps, Cherokees. Mercedes Benz!
PEJ: This is becoming glaringly evident in Africa.
The above is not necessarily bad – the key remains BALANCE.
Is this adoption of secular leadership methodology a sorely needed improvement for churches? Or is it a violation of Biblical principles?
MM: Answer yourself Pastor.
PEJ: Many church leaders claim these innovations have resulted in dramatic growth in their congregations, including a significant number of new converts.
Other Christian leaders decry such approaches as blatant theological and Biblical compromise.
The trend toward a CEO/manager model of ministry has changed the church’s evaluations of effective leadership.
The pastor’s ability is measured in terms of numbers of people, money, and buildings. The more of each, the more successful the pastor.
MM: And that is nonsense is it not-in the eyes of man and God?
PEJ: Christian organizations seem willing to overlook significant character flaws, and even more lapses, as long as their leader continues to produce.
The definition of success for a pastor must be different from the definition of success for a secular leader!
It would be wrong to randomly and uncritically accept secular leadership theory without measuring it against the timeless precepts of Scripture.
We will look at contemporary leadership principles in light of scriptural truth. It will become clear that many of the “modern” leadership principles currently being embraced are, in fact, Biblical principles that have been commanded by God throughout history.
For example, secular leadership writers are emphasizing the importance of integrity, committing yourself to your people, loving your staff, being servant leaders, striving for a higher purpose etc.
Incredibly, as secular writers are embracing Christian teachings with the fervency of first-century Christians, Christian leaders are unintentionally abandoning many of those same truths in an effort to become more contemporary!
Secular and spiritual leadership principles may have huge areas of overlap, but there are dimensions to spiritual leadership not present in secular leadership. For example, the supernatural, faith, the Bible, God, etc. Spiritual leaders who simply follow secular methods may experience some degree of success, but they will not rise to the higher level of leadership possible for true spiritual leaders.
MM: Amen Pastor! Churches are suffering under the leadership of young men and women who speak God but act CEOs and managers of congregations obsessed with suits and cars, women and photos.
PEJ: Our thrust in this season is to have sound spiritual leaders according to God’s design. We are providing such practical training. Our mission is to equip leaders through a multiple track model of training for multiplication. To equip primarily church leaders through grassroots level and non-formal model of training, so that they can in turn train other untrained church leaders.
MM: What are the course structures?
PEJ: AFRICA MINISTRIES NETWORK — AFMIN Leadership Institute is the centre.
Our courses cover Biblical studies, Leadership issues and African contextual issues.
Offering AFMIN Advanced Diploma Schools — Attend two five-day long institutes with well experienced lecturers each year for four years, take exams, complete assignments and pay appropriate fees.
Those interested can enroll now. School dates — 29 February to 4 March at Eastern Highlands Church.
AFMIN Zimbabwe Coordinator — Pastor Elvis Joseph 0772 729 472
Offices at 34 4TH Street Mutare — Eastern Highland Church next to Sanhanga Building.
Email [email protected], visit our website www.AFMIN.ORG
MM: This was real straight talk. It is my hope the truth that will set us free has been spoken.
PEJ: Thank you Mr Morris Mtisi. May the good Lord bless you in doing His work and other wonderful write-ups you bless us with every Friday in The Manica Post.
MM: Only doing my job as best I can-God will do the rest.
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