With the culture we are living in, the very foundations of our faith are under fire. There are those that are bent on eradicating the very mention of God in our public schools, ballgames, courthouse walls, money and only God knows what else, but I believe our greatest threat isn’t from the Planned Parenthood or ACLU organizations. Our greatest threat is from those voices we may consider a part of us. We expect deception from the outside, but we tend to be more vulnerable to the deception that may come from those we consider in our circles. In Matthew 24 when Jesus was asked about the signs of his coming and the end of the age, this was His response in Matthew 24:4, 5 and 11

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. (5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. (11)Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Three times Jesus warns us about deception.

In Revelation 12:9, Satan is referred to as the deceiver of the whole world. The thing about deception is when you have it; you don’t know you have it.

Here are some lies the enemy may be speaking to some of our church members: “We are all God’s children, and there are many paths to God”, “Tone it down; people will think you are crazy”, “It doesn’t take all of that Holy Ghost tongue-talking stuff”, “Don’t be offensive; be nice and sweet”, “Homosexuality is alright; they were just born that way”. There is a generation being raised up under a faulty foundation, to the point that many of them don’t know the difference between right and wrong.

Things aren’t black and white anymore. It is a gray world to many of them, but I believe God is raising up Spiritual Fathers and Mothers that will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 58:12: “Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In”. God is calling us to be those that are raising up the foundations of MANY generations.

It’s hard to believe but we are living in a nation where what was once paraded as bad is now being paraded as good and what was once good is now being paraded as bad.  (Isa 5:20)  “And if there was ever an hour for the church to be heard and for leaders to emerge it’s now”.  The issues in our culture are not going to go away and as leaders we are not called to stick our head in the ground or to ignore them in hope that they will go away.  In 1 Corth.14:8 it says, “If the trumpet does not sound a clear call who will get ready for battle?”

The issues of our day must be addressed and engaged not from a secular point of view, but from a biblical view!  We have become a culture of a “moral negative”.   Moral negative is when right and wrong have been reversed.  We are living in a culture that no longer has anymore “absolutes”. The latest studies are showing that 63% of Americans are saying there is no truth.  But, more alarming is 54% are evangelicals.

It’s a culture that no-longer can be defined by what is right or wrong; it’s all situational. It all depends on how the individual sees it.  Truth is whatever they say it is and the reason why that is so popular is because “there are no demands to make a choice”. Therefore, if I don’t have to make a choice I have no responsibility and since there’s no responsibility there are no consequences. When there are no consequences no one gets blamed.  It’s a Moral Negative!  George Gallup did a survey that shows and reveals a startling trend in our culture.  According to the survey the evidence seems to indicate that there are no clear behavioral patterns that distinguish Christians from non-Christians in our society.  The research says that our culture as a whole seems to be marching to the same drum beat; looking to the shifting standards of contemporary culture for the basis of what is acceptable behavior.

The fundamental breakdown in our culture is over morality. It’s a moral issue.  For example, a small declining fact is 31 years ago there were 239,000 inmates in jail. Today there are 2.3 million.  Crime is caused by a moral breakdown. Beliefs will always determine behavior!  When there are no ethics, truth, values, or standards then everything in life becomes situational and people make decisions based on their circumstances rather than by principle.  Our life and our decisions need to be governed by His word and not by popularity or even situations.  We have to develop a belief system that’s formed by the word of God. His word becomes our standard and we must refuse to violate that standard.  It’s no secret that we have become a society that has embraced the idea of “tolerance”.  Tolerance demands that we affirm all views are equally valid.  We have adopted a relativism that denies there is any fixed truth, and whatever works for you is true for you.  Now we have a society that pressures us to be “non-judgmental” and “tolerant”.  Therefore we are afraid to say anything because we might offend someone.

The point is…truth will offend and be decisive, but at the same time reveal and heal.  So what is truth?  Truth is not a theory or some distant idea; it’s not just a concept.  Truth is found in a person.  According to scripture Truth is describe to us as a PERSON and without the PERSON you have no TRUTH (John 1:14, John 14:6).  Without truth you can’t have ethics/standards.  When you don’t have standards then you have a moral negative once again. Now everything is situational; truth is whatever people say it is!  Prov. 14:15 (TEV) declares “A fool will believe anything.”  I like what George Washington said, “The two foundations for political prosperity in America are religion and morality. No one can be called an American patriot who ever attempts to separate politics from these two foundations.”

As 21st century leaders and believers if we compromise our convictions, vacillate in our values, or remain silent we will lose our ability to influence our culture.  The church was never meant to be shaped by the culture, but called to shape our culture.  The problem is not just political, economical, or educational; it’s moral and spiritual.  America needs help, but we’re not hopeless.  We can stand strong and refuse to compromise truth and allow the truth to set this nation free.  I believe if we will stand and declare, without fear or favoritism, what is truth (Jesus) we will once again see the power of God invade this land and see entire regions and cities shaken and shaped by His presence and for His Glory.

“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful,” wrote novelist Issac Asimov.  “It’s the transition that is troublesome”!Any transition, when navigated blindly or without proper planning, can becometroublesome.

The transfer of leadership is one of the great challenges in life.  Recently, we witnessed the transitionof our Presidency from an outgoing president to our newly elected one; somethingthe world continues to be amazed at, though the individuals involved had not shared any prior relationship.

While that transition is impressive, it pales in comparison to the transition of leadership within the body of Christ. The dynamics of the relationship immediately create circumstances thatare far different than the procedures that are followed in the corporate world.

Here aresome examples:

Ø   We are “chosen or called” … your selection as a successor was not based solely ona job interview or an election. Since Jesus is the Head of the Church, it is He that makes the choicesof who shall lead.  It is the workof the Holy Spirit to “set each member in body” as He wills.  Therefore, your assignment is not basedon geographical preferences, family ties, or job advancement, but rather in thedesire to be faithful to steward what has been entrusted to you. (1 Tim 3:1)

Ø   The one you are succeeding is a “brother or sister” in Christ; therefore, yourrespect for them as fellow-laborers becomes important to your own potentialsuccess.

Thebookshelves are pretty empty when it comes to specific guidance for making thistype of transition.  My desire inthis article is to provide some compass points to help younavigate the many transitions you will encounter.  While the list of “do’s and don’ts” is not exhaustive, Itrust it will provide you with enough information so that you will know whatactions to avoid and those that may help you prosper and be fruitful.

LandminesTo Avoid

Don’texpect things to be the same for you as they were for your predecessor!
No matter how much you are affirmed in the sight of the congregation or bythose who are over you in the Lord, you must know that some people will remain “soldon Moses” for a season or even long term. If your predecessor was the founder of the church and his ministry wasfruitful, it may appear the congregation is mourning his departure.

If peopleseem resistant, try not to take it personally!  Realize it is a loyalty issue and that some people need timeto make that transition and adjust to the change.  Think of your leadership tenure as a bank account.  If you are going to be successful, thebank account requires deposits.  Inthis case, the “shareholders” make deposits based on their level of trust.  To build that account takes TIME.  While some deposits may transfer toyour account from your predecessors, the reality is that they will be minimal.  HOWEVER, in time, your faithfulness tothe work will yield similar results.

Don’tbe quick to make changes for which you lack the necessary relational equity!

It is farbetter for your changes to be evolutionary than revolutionary!  If you start disassembling everythingthat preceded you or initiate too many completely new endeavors, you will puteveryone in a state of shock.  Whenthat happens, people will be resistant in making “deposits” in your leadershipbank.

Resistthe temptation to make promises or cast vision that is totally unrealistic inan effort to get the folks behind your leadership.

It willbe hard for people to get behind any new vision when they are unfamiliar withyour leadership or track record. Every leader needs some “victories” to validate him (Joshua 3), so thosewho are following will know that God is with him.

It isimportant that every leader realize that “all change is a critique of the past”(Sam Chand).  Even something asinsignificant as painting a wall or moving the pulpit can be misperceived.  Questions may arise as to what waswrong with the way things were done. Since change that is imposed is usually opposed, itbecomes important that the new leader focus on building relationships.  It is vital relationships that willprovide you the equity you need for future change.  If you don’t take the time to buildthese relationships, you may find yourself writing checks you can’t cash!

Rememberpeople will view you differently than they did before you came!

It is onething to be a guest – either ministry or as one visiting as a possiblesuccessor – it is another to become their pastor (leader).  Particularly, those who may havepreviously visited the church as a guest speaker will need to realize thattheir new position is quite different and people will respond differently.

Don’ttry and be your predecessor …

It isimportant that you be respectful and honor your predecessor – theiraccomplishments and their character. If they were a strong and impactful leader (casting a large shadow),respect that, but do not feel any obligation to try and “live up to” theiraccomplishments or reputation. Resist the temptation to become a clone or carbon copy.

You haveuniqueness to your own life.  Don’tbe afraid to let it show.  You arenot there to “fill someone’s shoes”. The stewardship that has been entrusted to you does not re            quireyou to pretend to be someone you are not, but rather to be as authentic andgenuine as you can be.

Resistshort term thinking … build for the long haul.

It isvery easy in a transition to believe that urgency demands we movequickly. However, the consequencesof hurried leadership strategies, that are created to give an impression ofprogress, are weak foundations and create long term collapses.  The race we’ve been called to run isnot a sprint,but rather a relay marathon.  Runyourrace!

While theSpirit of God is never static, He does lead us … not driveus!  As a leader, recognize thatdiscipleship and transformation are a process.  Big buildings require massive foundations.  The bigger your vision the more timerequired to establish the foundation for it.  Sky-scrappers do not come pre-assembled!

Thingsto Nurture

Honorand celebrate the past and your predecessor.

In mostcases, the stewardship that has been transferred to you has come from apredecessor that is loved and respected. Since most people are in the process of shifting their loyalties fromone leader to another, it will serve you well to honor and celebrate him wheneverthere is opportunity.  To do sowill not weaken your position, but rather make it easier for people to make theshift.

ExercisePatience.

Patience…and more patience.  While you mayhold the “title” of pastor (leader), it does not mean you hold the trust ofthose you are leading.  Over time,you will see the people’s heart turned toward you and their willingness tofollow you based on your character, faithfulness and service.  Until then, resist the urge to runahead of them.

One ofthe qualities of ministry is longsuffering!  If you will give things the time they need, you willexperience the results you are desiring.

Buildrelationships with people, both for your own personal growth and from theorganization’s past, who will have the wisdom to give you advice as you leadforward.

Goodcounsel is required to make good decisions.  Experience will become a major ingredient to navigating thechanging season in the life of the organization and in your life personally.

Often,without building these strategic relationships, a successor will not have the “insideinformation” that is paramount to understanding the present culture of theorganization and its historic systems and procedures.  Find those who have the knowledge and influence, build arelationship with them, and ask them to help you. When their input aids you in making good decisions, thatresults in favorable results; be sure and acknowledge them (publicly and privately).  If things don’t work out as planned, becareful not to alienate them by blaming them; rather ask for more input on howyou might remedy any issues.

Don’tbe overly sensitive.

Realizethat every leader has critics … especially when they are the “new guy” on theblock.  Carefully inspect each criticismfor whatever truth may be in it so that you can grow.  If you learn to respond properly to your critics, withoutlashing out or trying to prove yourself to them, you will find out they have helped youbecome a better leader.

Respectorganizational culture.

Everyorganization has a culture all of its own.  When assuming your new position, learn to respect thetraditions and customs that are present. If you believe some are harmful to the growth and progress of theorganization, you will (in time) be able to address them through teaching andmodeling.  Just remember, it iseasier to lead people that are not offended!

Conclusion

Allchange brings conflict.  Theprimary arena of conflict is the distance between “expectation and reality”.  The narrower that gap, the lesslikelihood of major conflict. Never promise what you can’t deliver.  Confidence and trust born of godly character is thefoundational stone of all successful leadership.

You mustbelieve and trust the grace that God is imparting to your life for your newassignment.  As that grace isimparted to your spirit, it will enable you to endure the difficult times,charge the atmosphere with faith, and see the purposes of God actualized.  Remember the voice of the Lord thatcalled you to this place!  Focus onthe vision!  Fear God and love Hispeople!