by Charles Whitehead
former President of ICCRS
Inspiration for Leaders
Formation of leaders- An urgent need for the CCR
by Charles Whitehead
former President of ICCRS
Christian leadership is a big subject. All Christian leaders are called to be servants – it's a foot-washing ministry, and this makes it very different from the world's ideas of leadership. But there are many different types of Christian leaders, and many different styles of leadership. So in this article I want to consider the question – what is distinctive about leaders in the Charismatic Renewal, and what are the important elements to be included in their formation? This is an urgent matter requiring our attention because good leadership will ensure that the CCR plays an increasingly important part in the life of the Church, whereas bad leadership will restrict us to the fringes. We must also be sure our leaders are faithful to their calling, not just to pastor the Renewal, but to bring the charisms into the life of the Church.
The Baptism in the Spirit
One thing is immediately clear – to lead in the Charismatic Renewal we need to have experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the gateway to a new life of faith and confidence. How it happens does not mater – but it must happen. Baptism in the Spirit provides power in witness and service, a new ability in prayer, a willingness to suffer rejection for Christ, a clearer understanding of the Scriptures, and an entrance into the spiritual gifts. None of these things come through our own ability – all of them depend on the grace of God through the presence of his Spirit. But the most wonderful result is a deeper love for the Lord and for one another. Anyone who is called into leadership in the Charismatic Renewal must have a personal experience of the transforming power of the Spirit of God.
The Charisms
With the Baptism in the Holy Spirit we have the opportunity to receive charisms. There are of course many gifts, but one of the distinguishing marks of the Charismatic Renewal is an appreciation and acceptance of the spiritual gifts listed in I Corinthians 12. Why is this important? Because in much of the Church today there is ignorance, suspicion, and neglect of these supernatural manifestations of the power of God, just as there was in the time of saint Paul . Our leaders need to show that the charisms are to be used in love to serve others and to build up the Church. They are not to be sought for themselves – the Lord gives them to us for the transformation, healing and blessing of others. So during their formation, charismatic leaders must be clearly taught about the gifts, and how to use them.
The power of the Spirit
"Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord" (Zechariah 4:6). When the power of the Holy Spirit is released within us he reveals Jesus in a new way, brings us power and authority, and equips us to serve as Christian leaders in an effective way. The Holy Spirit is the presence, power, love, and life of God, given to us so that we are renewed in our relationship to ourselves, to God, and to others. It is important that our leaders understand it is not just a matter of living the old life in a more exciting way – it introduces a completely new principle of conduct. From now on all our actions will proceed from the life of the Spirit within us, not just from the principles of good behaviour.
Water in the wilderness
Even when we are sure we are doing God's will, every leader will face times of testing and difficulty. We must not be afraid when this happens – the Lord will use them for our formation (Romans 8:28). But there are also special times when the Lord chooses to refresh us sovereignly and gloriously by soaking us in the love and power of his Holy Spirit. This can happen at any time and in any place, but it often happens among people who have learned to lay down their defences, and to pray with all their hearts "Come, Holy Spirit!" The Lord provides such places of refreshment because he knows how much leaders need them (Isaiah 43:20-21) and need to provide them for others. These too are part of our formation. We should learn to enjoy them and encourage all our leaders to drink again and again from the refreshing water of the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit
To be formed as leaders in the power of the Spirit is to learn to walk in the love, the freedom, and the presence of God. This is normal Christianity – turning from works to faith, from law to Spirit, from self to God. It is to listen to the voice and guidance of the Spirit, and to do everything in his strength and not in ours. Christ died to set us free; let us accept this freedom, and walk with him in the love and power of his Holy Spirit. Let us do everything we can to ensure that every leader in the Charismatic Renewal is formed with a clear understanding of this. It's an urgent task, and it's our gift to the Church.
From ICCRS