Spiritual Leadership and Authority

I have a quote posted on my wall next to my desk that has spoken to me many times. I first posted it on my wall a few years ago, had later filed in, and as I have been moving into a leadership position at church, took it out again and posted it to the wall. I think it reflects something very true about leadership that is truly of God.

"[Spiritual Leadership] is not won by promotion, but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, and much heart-searching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold uncomplaining embrace of the corss, and by an eternal, unfaltering looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us as loss for Christ. This is a great price, but it must be paid by the leaders who would not be merely a nominal but a real spiritual leader of men, a leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth , and in hell." -Samuel Logan Brengle, "The Soul-Winner's Secret"

My God help us know the depths of the true spiritual journey so that we might be able to guide others with true wisdom and authority as they pursue the rumors of life in Christ. May we discover true death, so that in dying we might find true life, paradoxical as it may be. May we know the Presence of Christ in experience - that blessed presence that both burns and sooths, tears and heals, and always in the end brings deep peace and almost indescribable satisfaction. Que nuestro Dios siempre nos ilumine con su gracia y amor, y transforme nuestro ser para que seamos recipientes de su persona, sediente y colmado de su justicia y amor.