Men: Being A Spiritual Leader
Mon, 04/26/2010 - 09:47
So I'm in my first Christian relationship, and I recognize that my role as the man is to be the spiritual leader of this relationship.
I get that, but... what is that, exactly? What does being a spiritual leader actually look like in practice?
Comments
I love this topic, because I think it begs the question... which I hope all of us who are of the male species are asking ourselves: "What does it mean to be a man? and a Christian man at that..."
When does a boy become a man? The answer to this must go far beyond biology and chronological age. As defined in the Bible, manhood is a functional reality, demonstrated in a man's fulfillment of responsibility and leadership.
I think that this thread could get rather lengthy if we begin to unpack it... but... here is the list of things that I hope my son understands as he grows up... and the bigger hope is that he learns if from me...
1. Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.
2. Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.
3. Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.
4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.
5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God's purposes.
6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as example of righteousness.
7. Ethical maturity sufficient to make responsible decisions.
8. Worldview maturity sufficient to understand what is really important.
9. Relational maturity sufficient to understand and respect others.
10. Social maturity sufficient to make a contribution to society
11. Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.
12. Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.
13. Biblical maturity sufficient to lead at some level in the church.
Like I mentioned above...our role as leaders in the home goes beyond just one facet of our lives... and as I look over this list again, it dawns on me, that we better a) have a plan, and b) not try to do this alone.
I'm glad you are all here to walk with this road of manhood with someone.
Chadwick
Pink Cross Moderator
"Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
James 1:12
This is our "to do list", I love it and I believe it is absolutely complete. This list should be hanging on the refridgerator of everyone struggling with any addiction.
We should test all of our actions, everyday against this list to see how we are doing.
Thank You for illustrating it so well.
____________________________________________________
"A fight is not won by one punch, either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard" Bruce Lee
Well, I'm not really an expert on these things, I'd be able to help more if I studied more of this, but don't have time now sorry. :S
Anyways, I found an interesting link that should help a bit: http://www.allaboutgod.com/spiritual-leadership.htm
Seems a good site that is Biblical.
(I'll probably return to this thread in a few days when I have time. It's quite a busy time for me, because it's the last month of school before the summer holiday.)
God bless you bro!
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16In my own experience, it often means that you are the first to move when something is spiritually amiss. When it's time to throw down and face something, often times it must be the man who says "look, either we face this or we roll over and let it stab us in the back." Just the other night, my girlfriend and I faced a lot of troubles and warfare, and God was trying to pull out wounds in both of us to begin healing. My love wanted to lay down, was tired and benumbed by the difficulty, and I refused to let her. I pressed on, be it gently and lovingly, but pressed on all the same.
This is not to say she won't lead sometimes. You need a warrior princess who will take charge if, for a moment, you are not yourself. My taking charge earlier? Happened after I'd become faint of heart and she'd refused to let me stay that way, knowing me better than that. After I came to, she went under.
If you haven't already, I implore you - read Wild at Heart and Fathered by God by John Eldredge. There is much council in those books that a man of God needs to hear in this age.
Long days and pleasant nights to ye.