AVOIDING* THE HALL OF MIRRORS
OR ESCAPING
CHAPTER 6
Firm Foundations (2|2)
Pages 82-87
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (NIV) Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Proverbs 4:20-23 (NIV) My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Below are the five general principles Stef gave for what to do if you suspect the leadership you are under may be moving in an unhealthy direction. There are good pearls of wisdom in general. Read each of the five principles and share your response to each:
“Firstly, never forget that it is the Lord Jesus you are ultimately accountable to, so settle in your own conscience that you will never obey anyone who asks you to do something you know Jesus would not be happy with.”
“Secondly, try to build a positive relationship, built on encouragement, with your leaders. This is not only fundamentally healthy, but provides the bonus of helping difficult conversations that need to be had at any point; they will likely go better than if you have had no positive interaction before then.”
“Thirdly, gain a clear understanding of who your leader is accountable to. This way, you’ll know the lines of authority and have the clarity you need to proceed with confidence, knowing where to take things if a negative situation gets stuck or becomes unnecessarily problematic.”
“Fourthly, give your leaders space and time to change and grow. As believers, we’re in the change business, and it’s important we show the mature grace that will help to create an environment conducive for transformation.”
“Fifthly, if things don’t work out well, don’t decide that you are done with leadership per se. Always remember, in the Kingdom of God, the primary purpose of authority is for protection, not for punishment, meaning that leadership is fundamentally for our good.”