We have been studying the important ability of mobilizing God’s people into the army they are called to be and how what is finished after they are gathered is just as important as gathering them. Presently, we have many who can mobilize large numbers of people, but few who have the vision, wisdom, or resolve to then build them into the force they are called to be, which is to equip them according to the Ephesians 4 mandate. This is not true of all, but of most.

Many associate success in ministry to the number they are able to gather rather than what the people who are gathered are then able to accomplish. Sadly, many churches are like big sheep pens where food is thrown to the sheep a couple of times a week. The “living stones” are just gathered into piles instead of being built into a temple. Those who are gathered as an army, if they are not trained, equipped, and placed in ranks, will be more like a giant mob than the efficient, effective fighting force they are called to be.

This must now change, and there are signs that a turning is beginning. Many Christian leaders are starting to be convicted by the mandate to equip the saints, but there is often a long period between getting the revelation that this must be done and actually doing it. This is the hump that we must get over.

Another reality is that many who will most loudly “amen” the teaching that all Christians have a ministry and must be trained and equipped to do their parts, really do not want to do it themselves. Many are now too comfortable with the form of “spectator Christianity” where everyone goes, pays their money, and watches the few who are really doing the ministry. I know of some Christian leaders who have lost all hope of the present generation breaking out of this, believing their part is to just provide for the next generation who will cross over and possess their inheritance. I understand this position, but this does not have to be the case, and I have been charged not to give up on anyone as long as they are still alive. In fact, I have been shown a huge revival coming among even the very elderly. Like Abraham who was too old when he was called, they will rise up with an extraordinary faith in God and do great exploits. The “new breed,” or “new generation,” is not about physical age.

The true measure of success for Christian leadership is what the people that have been mobilized go on to accomplish. It is not as important to have large churches as it is to have powerful churches, composed of people who are trained, equipped, and fulfilling their individual callings. This requires taking all of these individuals, helping them to know who they are called to be, and effectively encouraging them to resolutely pursue their purpose, fitting them together into teams.   

In 1982, I was given a word that some of the Lord’s greatest leaders in the last days were going to come out of professional sports. I was told that sports were their seminary, and they are being taught something very important that church seminaries do not teach—teamwork. Teamwork is the result of leadership being able to discern where people fit on the team, training each one for their part on the team, and helping them to all function as a team. All great leaders have this quality as a foundation for their success in leadership, including the great leaders of the church age.

Since I received that word I have spent quite a bit of time with people in professional sports. To succeed at any sport on the professional level usually takes years of practicing hours a day with a focus and resolve that is uncommon. What would cause a person to make this kind of sacrifice to become a professional at a sport? We may think it is the money, but it has only been in recent times that one could make the kind of money in sports that is made today. After the 1960 NFL Championship Game, which is often called the greatest game ever, most of the players had to shower and then go to their real jobs because only a few of the greatest stars could actually make a living in professional sports then. Until recently, for most in sports it was simply a love of the game, the competition, and the fame, which was the approval and acknowledgement of the public. How does this apply to us?

Think about how the body of Christ would change if people began pursuing their callings in Christ with the kind of focus and resolve that one has to have to make it on a professional sports team. The reward for fulfilling our callings in Christ will actually be far greater than any amount of money that we could ever make in sports. The acclaim from God is far more fulfilling than any human fame. If Christians really began to see this, they would all be pursuing their callings in Christ far more than any profession. It is true that for many their professions are a vehicle for their callings in Christ, but if the reality of our callings in Christ is ever truly perceived, none would ever think of themselves as doctors, engineers, or professional athletes first, but they would think of themselves as evangelists, teachers, pastors, and so on first. Our identity in Christ would trump any other human accomplishment. Could this ever be possible? If so, how will it happen?

First, the true Christian life is the greatest adventure and most noble cause the world has ever known or will. Therefore, we must first recover the true Christian life. If just a few begin living it in one place, it will be so contagious that many others will be drawn into it.

Second, true Christian fellowship is the greatest society the world has ever known or will ever know. When it is recovered by just a few in a place, it will draw many others into it. The bonding of believers in Christ is intended to be stronger than any other bonding on earth, including the strongest natural families, because this is into the family of God, which is spiritual and eternal. This too is coming.

There is one other factor that I want to cover in a bit more depth, so I will save it for next week’s word. In the meantime, as we are all called to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith, evaluate your own life with these questions: