01. Who Are You Preventing From Leading?
Who Are You Preventing From Leading? · Part 01
Jesus chose people most religious leaders would never have chosen.
Fishermen.
A tax collector.
A political zealot.
People without impressive education, social standing, wealth, or religious credentials.
When Peter and John stood before the religious leaders, they were described as “unlearned and ignorant men.” Yet their courage was undeniable.
The leaders “recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
, Acts 4:13 WEB
They did not possess the credentials their culture respected, but they carried the evidence that mattered most.
They had been with Jesus.
Have We Added Requirements Jesus Never Established?
Character matters.
Biblical faithfulness matters.
Spiritual maturity matters.
Accountability matters.
But sometimes the barriers we call “standards” have little to do with Scripture.
We may hesitate to release someone because they are:
Too young.
Too old.
Too poor.
Too inexperienced.
Too new in the faith.
From the wrong ethnic group.
Without a theological degree.
Unable to speak like us, dress like us, or lead like us.
Perhaps we are not waiting for them to become more like Jesus.
Perhaps we are waiting for them to become more like us.
The People We Overlook May Be the People God Has Chosen
God often begins with people the world considers unimpressive.
“But God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong.”
, 1 Corinthians 1:27 WEB
We search for polished speakers.
God may be looking for obedient servants.
We search for educated leaders.
God may be looking for teachable disciples.
We search for influential people.
God may be preparing someone with no platform but an open heart, a network of relationships, and the courage to obey.
Movements Cannot Multiply Through a Few Professionals
A disciple-making movement cannot multiply if every believer must wait for a title, position, degree, building, salary, or leader’s permission before making disciples.
Leaders are not called to do all the ministry themselves.
Their responsibility is “for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ.”
, Ephesians 4:12 WEB
Our calling is to equip God’s people, not keep them dependent upon us.
If people can only minister while we are present, we have gathered followers but have not developed leaders.
If every decision must return to us, we have become a bottleneck.
If no one is considered ready to lead, we must ask whether the problem is really their immaturity, or our unwillingness to release control.
Look Again
Who is already obeying Jesus?
Who is sharing what God is teaching them?
Who is gathering family and friends around Scripture?
Who is faithfully serving without recognition?
Who is helping others obey Jesus without needing a title?
That person may not look like the leader you expected.
But they may be exactly the leader God is raising up.
Do not lower biblical standards.
But do not raise cultural, educational, financial, or institutional barriers that Jesus never required.
Equip them.
Coach them.
Correct them when necessary.
Trust them with responsibility.
Help them disciple others.
Then give them room to grow.
Are you recognizing whom God is raising up, or waiting for them to become more like you?
And perhaps the more uncomfortable question is:
Who are you preventing from leading?
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss7EnH-Uuuk
Series playlist: Who Are You Preventing From Leading?
Join Terry’s free Zúme training: https://zume.training/join-a-training
Training page: https://internationalafricanmobilization.com/training/terrys-zume-teaching-series/
Next Steps form: https://airtable.com/appUh4Y3McdFcQ8Xg/pagCyMWEWZbPNlyH5/form
Daily email: Subscribe
LinkedIn newsletter: Daily DMM Insights