The Christian leader's worldview crisis
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The Christian leadership crisis
Three times the Lord queried Peter: "Do you love Me?" And each time Peter's answer was the same: "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." In each instance, the Lord's response was the same: "Tend (or shepherd) my lambs (or sheep)" (see John 21:15-17).
As Christian leaders, have we not exactly the same responsibility? Most assuredly, we do. And how is it that the Lord's sheep are to be fed? "It is written, 'man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God'" (Matt. 4:4).
So how are we Christian leaders doing with our charge of "feeding His sheep" in today's world? What do the surveys suggest? In May of this year, BibleGateway.com published the findings of a George Barna survey, which noted that less than 19% of born-again adults in the USA hold a biblical worldview. It also reported that "although seven out of ten [Americans] consider themselves to be Christian, only 6% actually possess a biblical worldview."
Think about those findings for a minute. I believe a biblical worldview is one that looks at the world through the lens of Scripture. As Christian leaders, is it possible we've been taking the biblical worldview for granted among those to whom we minister? These survey results suggest so.
How is it possible for a professing Christian to not have a biblical worldview? Doesn't the Scripture itself state that "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 John 2:6)? How can someone walk in the manner Jesus walked if they don't believe the Book that tells us how he walked?
Barna suggests the problem lies with parents. Noting that "they are critical to the development of worldviews in their children … few American parents accept that responsibility these days … in fact, just 5% of the parents of children aged 5 to 13 have a biblical worldview; they're clearly handicapped in the development process because you cannot give what you do not have."
Does the problem lie 100% with the parents, or is it shared with those who are presumably teaching those parents?
I would respectfully encourage that perhaps it is time for those of us who fashion ourselves as Christian leaders to start considering the current state of affairs among those we are attempting to lead or "feed." How much Scripture reading are we encouraging? Are we making the case for such reading as a necessary and frequent priority, or are we promoting the mere self-identification as "Christian" as the only requirement of true discipleship? Is it any wonder that the credibility of Christianity in America is in decline?
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, I am not offering this perspective to be critical of anyone's ministry. These results reveal a significant problem that all Christian leaders should be addressing.
We must not only feed our sheep, we must help them understand they're receiving the only food that truly matters.
 | Maurie Daigneau is a retired business owner/entrepreneur and author of the newly-published book The Gospel You've Never Heard: An Understanding That Will Change Your Life. He has been in a personal relationship with the Lord for more than 50 years, and has committed the balance of his days to sharing the lessons he has learned from the only One any of us is to call “Teacher.” Maurie and his wife, Susie, raised five children of their own and are now the proud grandparents of 13. Learn More » |
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