In the house of God, we need to have godly men and women that serve as worthwhile examples of what the life of Jesus is all about. It’s important to know that the moment you start to serve, you become an example, whether you want to or not. Many people are visual learners and when they know you are a follower of Jesus, they are going to look at you and say “if that’s what a man of God is, I’m going to follow that. If that’s what a dad looks like, I’m going to follow him. If that’s what a woman who got saved from the drug life does now, I’m going to follow her.” Many want to see examples of godliness and as you serve, you are an example to them.
John 13:13–15 (NKJV) “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
One thing that will help anyone in leadership is adopting something Billy Graham and his team came up with years ago. They called it the Modesto Manifesto, and it has four points.
- Purity: Never be alone with someone who is not your spouse, child or parent. This is meant to be practical and not legalistic.
- Integrity: Never get involved in the finances of the church. Always be above reproach.
- Humility: Never speak negatively of another ministry. This doesn’t refer to churches teaching false doctrine, but never raise up your church as the only church or best church.
- Honesty: Always be honest in reporting what God is doing.
We take these ideas to heart as leaders because we take leadership seriously. If they worked for Billy Graham for 50 years, they can work for us now.
Maybe you have some decisions you’ve made personally in your life so that you might be a better example, safeguards that help you maintain a life filled with integrity in a world that is not! Steady on as that growing, improving example of a follower of Christ. God will honor you for it.
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Adapted from Ordinary Servant
