Karl Vaters is the author of De-sizing the Church. He outlines four challenges for every church leader. And remember you are a leader.

Challenge Number One

Be Spiritual. You are a spiritual being. God’s Holy Spirit resides in you. Daily pursue the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Use Jesus as your example for living. And develop a daily walk and inner dialogue with him.

Challenge Number Two

Be moral. Morality calls you to live by a code of principles. The original code was given by God. They are called the 10 commandments. Later, Jesus talked about matters of the heart. And living from a pure heart.

Challenge Number Three

Be relational. Relationships and relationship building are a key part of God’s work. We are trained in relationships. Refined in relationships. And die members of a body valuing Christian fellowship.

Challenge Number Four

Practice integrity. Live by a code of right and wrong. Live above reproach. Do the right thing in public and private. Remembering a disciplined life is a life of freedom.

Conclusion

Karl Vaters says stop looking at the size of the church. Instead focus on maturing the church leaders. Because immature leaders preach shallow sermons which hinders Christian’s and their development.

Prayer

Father, help me be a man who walks with Jesus. Help me live by your moral code. Strengthen me and my relationships. And let integrity be the rule of my heart. Amen.

Bible Connection

• Spiritual: (Jesus said) I and the Father are one. – John 10:30 (LSB)
• Morality: Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge.- 2 Peter 1:5 (LSB)
• Relational: Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13 (LSB)
• Integrity: For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin. – Hebrews 4:15 (LSB)