Howard Hendricks, the great teacher and Christian education influencer, put it this way. “The lessons we desire to communicate are better CAUGHT than TAUGHT.” Twenty-five years ago, I first heard Jerry Bridge’s phrase, which is etched deeply into my memory. “Live a life worthy of imitation!”
The first task before any leader, whether he is the father in a household, the supervisor on the assembly line, the coach on the bench, the Sunday School teacher in the elementary department or the Elder who shepherds the Church, the first task before any leader is to go before and establish a pattern for others to follow.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian saints, “I exhort you, be imitators of me.” 1 Corinthians 4:16
And when sending greetings, encouragement and thanks to the saints in Philippi, he said, “Join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” Philippians 3:17
Peter, in his address to church leaders, picked up the same theme when he wrote, “…nor as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:3
The daunting, sobering reality of the weight of leadership responsibility in whatever arena of service you have been placed, is the truth that you cannot lead from the rear. You MUST lead from the front. And the task before any leader is to go before and establish a pattern for others to follow.
So we are driven by the seriousness of the pressures of leadership to ask, “How DO I set a pattern or walk in a manner worthy of imitation?” The answer is supplied when Paul penned, “Be imitators of me as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
And the pattern YOU must follow is the example set by the Good Shepherd who said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27
You cannot lead from the rear! The task before any leader is to go before and establish a pattern for others to follow.
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom
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